Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player, the first time the high-scoring backcourt ace has received the honour after 12 seasons in the league.

Long regarded as one of the league's top players, the All Star guard led the Lakers to the number one spot in the Western Conference, averaging 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.84 steals during the regular season.

He went on to average 33.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists in leading the Lakers to a first-round sweep of the Denver Nuggets and top-scored with 38 points in Sunday's 109-98 win over the Utah Jazz in Game One of the conference semi-finals.

Bryant, who helped the Lakers win three consecutive championships between 2000 and 2002, has relished playing this season in a stronger team, which is pushing for its first NBA finals appearance in four years.

"This is a beautiful day, a special day for me," said a beaming Bryant, 29, after being presented with the trophy. "I'm just deeply, deeply honored to be here.

"This is a team award. This is not an individual award," he added with a nod toward his team mates.

"This gets done because we all do it as a unit and I can't thank these guys enough."

Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who steered Bryant through his NBA title partnership with former Laker Shaquille O'Neal and who directed the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships, praised Bryant for his dedication.

"I don't know anybody who deserves it more," Jackson said.

"I've never known anybody who has worked as hard to accomplish what he's accomplished in this game."

The closest Bryant had previously come to the MVP award was third place after the 2002-03 season and again last year.

He is the fourth Laker to win the award, following Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and O'Neal.

Reuters