China atmosphere better than NBA: Bryant

By Simon Evans

BEIJING (Reuters) - Kobe Bryant said the atmosphere surrounding the United States' Olympic basketball opener against China was more exciting than the NBA Finals.

"It was a different kind of energy," he told reporters after the Americans' 101-70 victory on Sunday.

"I am fortunate enough to have played in four NBA finals and numerous big games but it was just different. You felt like there was so much more support because it's the USA and obviously how proud the fans are here of their country.

"You just understood that there was something that was bigger than the game, it wasn't just a finals game or a seventh game, it was bigger than that."

Bryant and his team mates were cheered on to the court by a capacity crowd of 18,000, and they continued to roar in approval at every point scored.

"It was amazing. I had five dunks in one game, that's because of the crowd," said Bryant. "The last time I had five dunks in a game I was 17. That's all because of the energy of this crowd.

"I think they knew that history was being made tonight. Obviously it was a proud moment for their country and you could feel the electricity," added Bryant, who scored 18 points.

U.S President George W. Bush was in the crowd and met with the American players before the game - another ingredient in a special evening for the Los Angeles Lakers guard.

"It was a great feeling, he basically came up to us and said I'm here to support you, our country supports you, so go out there and kick some butt," said Bryant, who later said he had been paraphrasing Bush.

"To hear that, it puts things in perspective. You look in the crowd, you see other U.S.A athletes, you see them here supporting you and we go to their events and we support them. It's like a brotherhood."

(Editing by Steve Ginsburg)