NBA king Kobe looks to follow Jordan's path

By Alastair Himmer

BEIJING (Reuters) - Having learned finally to share the ball, Kobe Bryant is poised to lead the United States' charge for Olympic basketball gold in Beijing.

Appearing at his first Olympics, the NBA's Most Valuable Player could be the key to American hopes of regaining a title once regarded as their birthright.

Bryant will also be looking to emulate Michael Jordan, arguably the sport's greatest player, by following his MVP title with an Olympic gold medal.

Jordan won gold as a college player in 1984 and again with the fabled "Dream Team" of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, alongside Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

The Los Angeles Lakers guard, who turns 30 the day before next month's Olympic basketball final on Aug. 24, has long been burdened by comparisons with Jordan.

Told by a furious Chicago Bulls coach there was no "I" in "team" a young Jordan shot back: "Well, there is in 'win'."

Only when Jordan discovered the benefits of involving his team mates, however, did the Bulls win the first of their six NBA titles in 1991.

Bryant has suffered from similar criticism during his career and was once labelled "uncoachable" by Lakers and former Bulls coach Phil Jackson.