Kobe scores 19 as the US beats Russia, hears MVP chants

Just wanted to share a link from the Kurt Vonnegut of NBA writers, Mark Heisler at the Times, who has been following the US basketball team through Asia this month.

As fans had done when Bryant went to the free-throw line in the exhibitions in Macao, fans here chanted "MVP!"

"It feels like home away from home," Bryant said. "It's great to be so far from Staples Center and still have so much support, I feel like I'm home."