Jazz guard Ronnie Brewer is excited to defend Kobe Bryant as Utah and Los Angeles open their semifinal series on Sunday, according to The Deseret News.

Kobe is expected to officially be named the league's MVP within the next few days.

"You face tough guys every night," Brewer said. "That's what I love so much about the NBA and (why) it was my dream to come here and play against these guys I watched in high school."

"He's a great player, one of the premier players in this league, so it's going to be a tough task," Brewer said of guarding Bryant. "It's kind of a step up (from the first round). But you've got to challenge him, make him take tough shots. ... It seems when he gets it going there's no stopping him. You've got to deny him the ball, make him work, and hope that you can tie him down."