The legal battle surrounding the Kobe Bryant rape trial could be described as a David-and-Goliath contest, with a young, rural prosecutor on a tight budget up against a high-powered, well-connected criminal defense firm funded by an NBA superstar's hefty purse.

In fact, the two lead lawyers in the case -- Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert, 34, and veteran Denver defense counsel Pamela Mackey, 47 -- are known for strikingly similar styles in the courtroom; both are respected by colleagues for their skill at winning trust from a jury.

And the legal resources available to the prosecution could equal what Bryant's millions can provide for the defense case.

Hurlbert, who became district attorney for a four-county swath of Colorado mountain country just 10 months ago, bristles visibly at the way he has been characterized around the country since his decision two weeks ago to bring a charge of felony sexual assault against the Los Angeles Lakers' all-star guard.

The sports talk shows have referred to Hurlbert as the "boy prosecutor." Jay Leno watched TV footage of the earnest, methodical young man with curly blonde hair and dubbed him "Doogie Howser."

"I do have the experience," Hurlbert reminded reporters here. He notes that he has tried hundreds of felony cases in his nine years as deputy district attorney. "I have prosecuted several sex assaults. I have prosecuted two first-degree murder cases." In fact, Hurlbert has to prosecute another murder trial in September before he can focus in on the case against Bryant.

Bryant, a husband and father who has had an impeccable reputation on and off the court, was charged with felony sexual assault involving physical force or threats against a 19-year-old hotel clerk at a mountain resort here in Eagle County. After initial denials to the press, Bryant conceded that he had sex with the woman the night of June 30. He says the encounter was consensual.