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LOS ANGELES (AP) — For some reason, Kobe Bryant has been at his best on the basketball court immediately after appearing in a Colorado courtroom.
He'll do so for a fifth time Thursday. A trial date is expected to be set in his sexual assault case in Eagle County during the day, and the Lakers play Minnesota in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals in Los Angeles at night. The Lakers lead the best-of-seven series 2-1.
"When I get here, if I get back in time, I'm going to be ready to play," Bryant said after practice Wednesday.
That's certainly in question, because the game begins about 6:15 (PDT), some 90 minutes before Lakers home games usually start.
"We have no indication as to how long it's going to be," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said of Bryant's day in court. "We're hopeful."
Bryant is charged with raping a 19-year-old Colorado woman who worked at a Vail-area resort. He claims the two had consensual sex and has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of sexual assault that could send him to prison for four years to life, or put him on probation for 20 years to life. He also could be fined up to $750,000 if convicted.
Jackson said if Bryant doesn't return in time, Kareem Rush will start. A two-year veteran, Rush is averaging 3.1 points and 14 minutes per game in the postseason.
"We have confidence in Kareem, that he can play basketball and fill a gap," Jackson said.
That's not close to what Bryant has accomplished, especially in the four games he's played following a day in court.
The last one, on May 11, was not only the best of the four, it ranks as one of the finest games of Bryant's career. He scored 15 of his 42 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Lakers to a 98-90 victory over San Antonio and even their conference semifinal series 2-2.
The Lakers won the next two games to reach the conference finals.
The first time Bryant traveled from the courtroom to Staples Center was Dec. 19. He arrived during the first quarter of a game against Denver and made a 20-foot jumper as time expired to give the Lakers a 101-99 victory.
The second time was March 24, when he scored 36 points in a 115-92 win over Sacramento.
The third was April 28, when he had 31 points and 10 assists with one turnover in a 97-78 triumph over Houston in the fifth and final game of the Lakers' first-round playoff series.
"He's had success and we've had success," Jackson said.
When asked why it's worked out so well, Jackson replied: "Support. I think there's a tremendous amount of empathy. It's difficult at best. It's not easy for a team. When players are professionals, they approach basketball in a different way. This team's been really good about it."
Karl Malone called the basketball court Bryant's sanctuary.
Gary Payton said Bryant is not an ordinary guy.
"He's got a huge heart," Payton said. "He understands he's coming to do his job. He's just a different human being.
"We've been through this all year. He's going to be fine. I think he plays better when he comes off these court dates. I like it when he comes off his court dates. I think he has more fun when he gets back."
Payton said the team realizes there's no guarantee Bryant will arrive before the opening tipoff.
"The plane might be delayed — anything can happen," he said. "We've just got to move the ball, hit our shots. When Kobe comes back, it's going to be fine for us."
When asked to put himself in Bryant's position, Payton replied: "You've got to understand you're going to trial and you might go to jail. I hope he's thinking positive, that he's not (going to jail). I hope he'll keep playing basketball for many a year."
Malone said he believes Bryant has been happier than he's ever seen him recently.
"The conversations we've had the last two weeks have been unbelievable," said Malone, 40, 15 years older than Bryant. "I've seen him laugh more in the last two weeks than the whole season. I just like to make him laugh. It's been great.
"Really and truly, with his situation, you don't know what's going to happen. We've become very good friends."
When asked about Malone's assessment, Bryant grimaced and replied: "I don't know. I joke around with Karl a lot — he's probably the one I joke around with the most. Karl's and my relationship has been great. We're practically neighbors. We joke around a lot, talk about the game a lot."
Bryant wasn't smiling much Wednesday, perhaps because of his pending court date.
But when asked if Malone was like an older brother to him, Bryant chuckled and replied: "Like a father." | 
