L.A. Lakers guard Kobe Bryant today was named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, Jan. 14 through Sunday, Jan. 20. Bryant, earning Player of the Week honors for the second time this season, led the Lakers to a 2-1 record posting averages of 37.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists. Here is a look at the week for Bryant:

Monday vs. Memphis: Scored a career-high 56 points and added five rebounds, four assists and a steal despite not playing the fourth quarter in a 120-81 win over the Grizzlies.

Wednesday vs. Miami: Had 29 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and a steal in a 102-96 loss to the Heat.

Saturday at San Antonio: Recorded 28 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals in a 98-81 win over the Spurs.

Western Conference candidates for NBA Player of the Week were Phoenix's Stephon Marbury, Sacramento's Peja Stojakovic and San Antonio's Charles Smith.

Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant were both named as Western Conference starters for All-Star 2002 as the final tallies were counted and the two L.A. superstars were among the best vote-getters in the league. Shaq and Kobe will join Tim Duncan, Steve Francis and Kevin Garnett when the ball tips off Feb. 10 in Philadelphia.

Kobe Bryant gave a team jersey to President Bush, who went up on tiptoes to bring himself somewhere near eye level with the Los Angeles Lakers' star.

"We can use him," Bryant joked afterward. "We can use another shooting guard."

Bush welcomed 13 Lakers and coach Phil Jackson to the White House on Monday, a belated congratulations for the NBA championships they won in 2000 and 2001. He t hanked the team before an audience that included NBA commissioner David Stern and children from Boys and Girls Clubs.

The president challenged the players to carry themselves as champions off the court, too, for the sake of children who want to be like them. He also thanked them for joining post-Sept. 11 efforts to "fight evil" by serving as mentors for inner-city children in Los Angeles.

"I want to thank the players who understand that with victory comes huge responsibility to encourage people to make the right choices in life," Bush said. "To me that's the true sign of a champ."

"This group showed the country and NBA basketball how to work together as a group," Jackson told the president. "And I only hope that you and the Congress can do as much and the same."

The team milled around happily on a riser before Bush arrived, impressed by the luster of the elegant East Room.

"It's been two years, and a different president, but it's a pleasure to meet as many of them as you can," said Rick Fox, all business in a dark suit and blazing red tie. "To walk through and just see the former presidents on the wall in pictures, or look at the artifacts, ... it's educating."

Bryant, in a belted leather jacket, stood to the side talking on his phone. Shaquille O'Neal claimed a seat on an upholstered bench beneath a portrait of George Washington, then relaxed against the wall, gripping an autographed basketball with one hand.

Robert Horry hammed it up with Mark Madsen, who was celebrating his 26th birthday -- and who stepped forward to oblige when Bush said he'd hoped Madsen would dance.

The president stopped him. "I'm afraid the Secret Service might react violently if you did," Bush said.

At 6 feet tall, Bush didn't play the height game with Shaq as he did with Bryant. He simply craned his neck all the way as the 7-1 O'Neal handed over the basketball.

"I'm just happy to be here," O'Neal told the American Urban Radio Networks. He was an old hand at White House visits, he said; Bush is the fourth president he's met in his basketball career.

"It's a good honor for myself, for my family, for black people," O'Neal said.

After indulging a few autographs, first-time visitor Bryant pondered whether he'd be back next year. "I would love to," he said.