• Darren Rovell of CNBC cashes in on the story of how your new NBA MVP Kobe Bryant got his marketing groove back.

• The CHICAGO SUN-TIMES reports that Bud Selig probably won’t let the air out of the White Sox’s clubhouse blow-up dolls.

• AOL FANHOUSE wonders why Barack Obama’s basketball skills aren’t helping him with voters in hoops-mad Indiana.

• Neil Best of NEW YORK NEWSDAY hears Big Apple radio host Michael Kay criticizing Joe Torre for still being in contact with Yankee players.

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Kobe Bryant must be jumping for joy, as the L.A. Lakers star was officially named the NBA’s MVP on Tuesday - his first award in his 12 seasons of play.

Boy, what a difference a year makes.

*UPDATE*: LA BALL TALK has the play by play of the official presentation.

Reports coming out of Los Angeles indicate that Kobe Bryant will be announced as the NBA’s most valuable player.

This would be the first time the Lakers guard received the award, and would cap off a fascinating season for Bryant, both on the court and off. Read more…

• YAHOO’s BALL DON’T LIE has the poop on Denver’ mascot finding some relief before the Nuggets got flushed by the Lakers.

• EMPTY THE BENCH teases us with some classic commercials of Pistol Pete Maravich displaying his fine b-ball skills and even finer hair.

• BABES LOVE BASEBALL brings up some broads (and a bud) that could help Barry Zito break his slump.

• SPORTS TSAR bounces over word that the NBA’s official website has already acknowledged Kobe Bryant as the 2008 MVP.

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Friendly reminder - SbB’s live blogging tonight’s Cavs-Wizards Game 3.

• If Kobe Bryant can jump a car, why can’t Kenny Smith?

• Erin Phillips is one basketballer we’d like to pick ‘n’ roll with.

• Mets pitcher Joe Smith engages in some friendly chatter with the folks at the Friendly Confines.

• Gatorade demands that they’re the only ones to quench the White Sox’s thirst.

• Braves fans try to prove they’re just as punch-drunk as your typical Mets, Phillies, Yanks or Red Sox supporter.

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By now, we’ve all seen Kobe Bryant’s jacked-up jump over a speeding Aston Martin. Although it was quite a video treat - thanks, Hollywood! - it’s still a dangerous stunt to actually attempt. Even at the start of his own clip, the Lakers star had warned viewers not to try it themselves.

Apparently, Kenny Smith wasn’t listening. The “Inside The NBA” co-host figured if Kobe could coast over a car, why couldn’t he? So, Smith brought along a TNT camera crew, slipped on his styling sneakers, and readied himself for the big leap forward.

How did he do? Check out the video after the jump.

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When Wednesday evening began, the San Antonio Spurs could have fallen anywhere from 3rd to 6th place in playoff seeding. But now that all 82 games have been played, the brackets are now officially set.

(Sorry, Pacers, Knicks, Bucks, T-Wolves - Better luck next year!)

Another NBA regular season is down the drain (much like Isiah’s future with the Knicks), and it’s time to get some serious ballin’ going on.

So, who gets to face who?

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