BOSTON -- Kobe Bryant sat on the scorer's table at the TD Garden after the Los Angeles Lakers shootaround Thursday and peered out onto the Boston Celtics' patented parquet floor.

"This is a great environment," Bryant said. "This is one of the best in the league."

A half dozen hours before the Lakers would return to the arena for their game against the East-leading Celtics, Bryant reflected on how the rivalry has changed.