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Kobe Bryant jokes with NBA legend Bill Russell during the All-Star weekend. Bryant's image rehabilitation has been remarkable, writes columnist Sam Smith.

The sports world is throwing its arms open to Kobe Bryant instead of crossing the street when he walks by.

"Kobe," said Carmelo Anthony, "regardless of how people feel about him, he's always going to be the fan favorite."

You didn't hear that much in recent years, but Bryant is reunited with Phil Jackson in such a partnership that when Jackson was named a finalist to the Hall of Fame Friday, Bryant called Jackson the best coach in the history of the game. Yes, the Bryant about whom Jackson once wrote in a book was uncoachable.

Early in Sunday's game, Bryant wiggled inside on a drive and bumped up against Shaquille O'Neal. Not long ago in one of these games, O'Neal would have pounded Bryant to the ground. This time Bryant merely bounced back, as everyone does with O'Neal, and then put up his shot.

O'Neal even talked to reporters Friday in the open media session and favorably named Bryant along with Dwyane Wade and LeBron James as the personalities that also have the playing ability to become the dominant individual figures in the game.

No, it's not quite Kobefest.

Bryant won one of these MVP awards at the 2002 All-Star Game and was booed. Of course, it was Philadelphia, so no explanation is needed. He did take a game-high 24 shots and Dwyane Wade, who had 12 shots and 10 points, noted that he wouldn't chase after shots so often in an All-Star game.

But LeBron James, last year's MVP, did put up 20 in leading the East with 28 points, and Amare Stoudemire had 22 in getting 29 points to support Bryant and continue to show the wide disparity between the conferences.

But it was Bryant awash in the Las Vegas affection, and who saw that coming? And so quickly?

"To have this type of reaction here in this All-Star game is very humbling," said Bryant. "I just feel blessed and very fortunate to be able to come out and put on a really good show."

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