Kobe and Raja Exchange Pleasantries

The Kobe/Raja Bell rivalry is one of the NBA's most fascinating. Kobe's ostensibly the villain, but it was Bell who unleashed a totally unsportsmanlike clothesline in last year's playoffs. It's supposedly Raja's grit against Kobe's flash, and yet it's Bryant who plays for a hustle-based team. And strangely, it makes both of them more likable.

According to the Riverside Press-Enterprise's Lakers Blog, the two have an unexpectedly civil relationship off the court:

Grudgingly, it seems, Bryant will offer praise to Bell. More so, they try to make nice when they see each other. After the game, while Bryant was in the hallway talking to his wife and two daughters, Bell walked by. Both Bryant and Bell smiled and spoke to each other. Actually, it wasn't even strained, even if it wasn't a warm feeling.

Kobe still told the press that Bell "likes to flop ... I like to play physical." But all this means is that they're not animals--they're professionals, who can ramp up their emotions when it's necessary and effective, and take things personally only when they have to. And just because this isn't Kings/Lakers, doesn't mean that there can't be another level of ugliness added later this month.