When Coach Jeff Van Gundy wasn't chiding Phil Jackson before Monday's game, he was pumping up Bryant, calling him everything but the best player he has ever seen.

It's not a bad strategy to compliment Bryant ? Houston guard Cuttino Mobley has mastered a perfectly believable wince whenever he's asked if he's a suitable Kobe stopper ? but Van Gundy seemed earnest in his flattery.

"One thing I don't understand from the outside is all the criticism of him," Van Gundy said. "I've never understood it. What I see and what I read, and what I coach against are two different things. The guy is great.

"He competes hard every night. He passes when he should pass, and shoots when he should shoot, and he just has an ability to create a good shot for himself."