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Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers is the winner of the Maurice Podoloff Trophy as the 2007-08 NBA Most Valuable Player, the NBA announced on Tuesday (May 6). The 11-year NBA veteran totaled 1,105 points, including 82 first place votes, from a panel of 126 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Players were awarded 10 points for each first-place vote, seven points for each second-place vote, five for third, three for fourth and one for each fifth-place vote. As part of its support of the Most Valuable Player Award, Kia Motors will donate a brand-new 2009 Kia Borrego seven-passenger SUV on behalf of Bryant to the East L.A. Boys and Girls Club. Rounding out the top five in voting for this season's award were New Orleans' Chris Paul (889 points), Boston's Kevin Garnett (670 points), Cleveland's LeBron James (438 points) and Orlando's Dwight Howard (60 points). "This is a beautiful day, a special day for me," a beaming Bryant, 29, told a news conference after being presented with the trophy. "I'm just deeply, deeply honoured to be here. "This is a team award. This is not an individual award," he added with a nod toward his team mates, who attended the news conference. "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. Spanish superstar Pau Gasol was present along with Bryants other teammates as he thanked them for helping him win the MVP award. When asked how he would "shore up" the MVP award Bryant looked ahead toward Beijing. "I know one thing on my list is stopping Pau from winning the gold medal. That's on on my list other than that I don't know. That's my focus this summer. Love you man," Bryant said to Gasol. Spain and the USA will play each other in Group B in the preliminary rounds in China.