Lakers hope Bryant makes it back in time

He will be in a Colorado courtroom today; the Lakers play tonight in L.A.
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 today. 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.
"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 9:15 p.m., 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."
Rush may start
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. The Lakers won the next two games to reach the conference finals.
The first time
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."
Bryant's sanctuary
Karl Malone called the basketball court Bryant's sanctuary. 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."