Only 12 hours after he criticized Kobe Bryant's shot selection down the stretch of an exhibition game, Lakers coach Phil Jackson was on a teleconference Wednesday talking about his superstar guard as a possible MVP candidate.

"(I) think he can have that type of a season," Jackson said. "He's that type of a player. He has matured. He is trying to use his energy for the optimum benefit of the ballclub."

"I see him coming (in) many times ... two to three hours ahead of practice," Jackson added, "doing the therapy and doing the extra work that it takes to reach that kind of level and know that this is something that Kobe really wants to regain."

Jackson said it would be hard for Bryant to merit MVP consideration on a team that wasn't what he called "top echelon." He also said of last season, "I think being named third team All-NBA was a slap in the face for Kobe."