"All the guys will play on the plane actually," he tells USA Today. "Travel with a flat screen and hook up the console. It gets pretty competitive."

But... Is a flat screen a carry-on? Does it fit in the overhead compartment? So many questions, so much time. Must be nice to fly in private jets!

Kobe Bryant talks 'NBA 2K10' - Game Hunters: In search of video games and interactive awesomeness [USA TODAY] [Pic]

As reported previously, 2K Sports had asked fans to vote on their favorite of four covers for the upcoming NBA 2K10, each featuring Lakers' star Kobe in a different pose, or in one case, a different uniform altogether. Now the NBA Finals between the Lakers and the Orlando Magic has been decided, and 2K celebrates its team win by revealing the cover fans voted to win out of the final four.

"It's been an incredible journey for me and our team, and all of us could not be any happier right now," said Bryant, a four-time NBA Champion for the Los Angeles Lakers. "It's an exciting time to be partnered with 2K Sports right now, as we look forward to releasing a championship-caliber game together for 2K's 10th Anniversary NBA Game."

We're still waiting to see if EA issues a press release featuring NBA Live 10 cover athlete and Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard quietly sobbing to himself.

Bryant grew up playing basketball video games like Double Dribble. "Video games were a big part of my childhood, especially basketball video games, so it's cool to be the face of a game, especially the 2K game which is the best out there," he says.

2K is letting fans pick the cover. There are four choices to choose from, including the personal favorite of die-hard New Yorker Spike Lee: The Lakers guard wearing a N.Y. Knicks uniform.

"If Kobe is going to be on the cover, at least put him in the orange and blue," Lee says of the Photoshopped Knicks image. Lee is trying to do for Kobe Bryant what he did for Michael Jordan. The director made a documentary about the hoopster called "Kobe Doing Work" and is now helping with publicity ads for the game.

Though, don't think your votes for Kobe-as-a-Knick will count for much. Well, other than a place in Spike Lee's heart, that is.

"NBA 2K10": Kobe's Got It Covered [ESPN]

Sony just ran a simulation of the Christmas Day game between the Lakers and the Heat using NBA Live 07. Bottom line: Kobe Bryant scored 47 points to lead the LA Lakers to a 98-89 win over the Miami Heat.

The game predicted that Bryant would lead score eight points in the fianal three minutes, including two clutch three-pointers. Bryant finished with 47 points on 17-of-27 shooting, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. He also added six assists and eight rebounds.

The Lakers trailed by three at the half, 43-40, but scored 31 points in the decisive third quarter to take a 71-65 lead into the final period. Miami clawed its way to within three points with 3:11 left in the game but Bryant stopped any hope of a Heat comeback by hitting the first of his two back-to-back three-pointers in the final minutes. Bryant nailed his final three-pointer with 1:53 to seal the win.

Heat guard Dwyane Wade had 28 points and nine assists and forward Antoine Walker scored 17 points and pulled down five rebounds in a losing effort. Shaquille O'Neal was held to nine points, including three in the second half, and pulled down 14 rebounds.

Lakers forward Kwame Brown reached double figures in scoring with 14 points and 12 rebounds while Vladimir Radmanovic shot 4-of-5 from beyond the arc and scored 18 points.

So there you go, now you can spend some time with your family (or games) on Christmas. Brian Crecente

Eight-time NBA All-Star Kobe Bryant returns to the cover of a video game this year. He's been named as the spokesman for NBA '07 due to hit the PS2 and PSP this fall.

The last time Kobe was on a cover (NBA Courtside 2002), he served up more than a little "publicity" for the game he was selling. Can't wait to see what happens this time around. Brian Crecente