Lakers’ Kobe Bryant relished matchup with Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41), of Germany, is defended by Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41), of Germany, is defended by Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

DALLAS –The ball suddenly landed in Dirk Nowitkzi’s hands. A defensive switch suddenly caused Kobe Bryant to guard him. A buzz began roaring as Maverick and Lakers fans alike eagerly awaited on how two future Hall of Famers and elite scorers would handle this matchup.

Would Nowitzki unleash one of his trademark fadeaways that currently thrust him into seventh place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list? Or would Bryant make a defensive stop that would provide a more captivating highlight reel than one of his scoring binges that ensured a third-place spot on the same list?

The 6-foot-6, 212-pound Bryant became well aware of his distinct height disadvantage against the 7-foot-0, 245-pound Nowitzki. Bryant also remained mindful he hasn’t “been able to get to his fadeaway.” Nowitzki’s high release and delayed timing makes it incredibly difficult to stop.

So, Bryant devised a strategy.

“I was timing him up to try to catch him before he gets up high because he’s too damn tall,” Bryant said. “Once he’s up there, I can’t get it. I figured I’d try to catch him.”

The plan did not work. Instead, Nowitzki relied on his footwork and a pump-fake to bait Bryant to jump. Then, Nowitzki performed an up-and-under move for an easy layup.

All Bryant could do was run back on the court, smiling.

“Just two old guys having fun,” Kobe said, smiling again. “He has great footwork so he was able to catch me and made the step all the way through. We kind of laughed about it.”

Despite the Lakers’ 90-82 loss to the Mavericks on Friday at American Airlines Center, it appeared as if Bryant had fun in other areas.

He still exuded optimism regarding the Lakers’ development even amid a 1-8 start. On the court, Bryant had repeatedly encouraged his teammates both through the good and the bad.

“It was frustrating, but it’s a learning process,” Bryant said. “I’m very pleased with the way the guys played. I felt we made a step in the right direction in terms of figuring things out tactically, how to move the defense, how to move for each other and screen for each other. We took a step in the right direction.”

Bryant also had fun in his first game since missing the previous two contests because of back soreness. He posted 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting, five rebounds and three assists in 32 minutes. Bryant reported feeling no pain in his back. He credited wearing long sleeves to keep his surgically repaired right shoulder warm, something he plans to do indefinitely. Bryant also reported that his legs “felt pretty good” after previously averaging 16 points on a career-low 32 percent from the field and a 20.8 percent clip from 3-point range in 29.2 minutes per game.

“I felt okay,” Bryant said. “I was able to do some things to strengthen my back and my legs. It felt good.”

And Bryant also had fun with the reception at American Airlines Center. Bryant usually receives boos there. But with Bryant possibly playing his last game here in what might mark his final NBA season, a stream of No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys greeted him with cheers and photo requests before and after the game.

“There’s a lot of normal Mavs fans that heckle the [expletive] out of me and let me have it. Tonight they didn’t it. Now it’s high fives and best of luck,” Bryant said. “If I had to pick, I would have it that way. It’s ‘thank yous’ before the game and ‘We hate you’ and boos during the game. At the end of the game, it’s ‘thank yous.'”

Bryant then offered his own thank you to Nowitzki, providing him with a competitive moment that left the Lakers’ 37-year-old star giddy even if it came at his expense.

“I love playing with Dirk,” Bryant said. “It’s rare that I play against somebody that came up around the same era that I did. It’s good to see him.”


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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com