Kobe Bryant, J.R. Smith

Kobe Bryant, here blocking a shot by J.R. Smith of the Knicks, is the leading vote-getter in the fan balloting for the All-Star Game. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times / December 25, 2012)

Kobe Bryant has only recently begun to embrace social media, posting somewhat regularly on his Facebook account over the last year.

Recently, the Lakers all-star guard hinted that he'd start a Twitter account. Perhaps in a test run, Bryant commandeered the @nikebasketball handle on Christmas Day.

Bryant's first tweet was at 11:09 a.m., "Merry Christmas! Enjoy the ones you love #countonfamily," which included a photo of Bryant with his family.

After Tuesday's win over the New York Knicks, Bryant wrote "14-14 not great but we are getting better.  It's all about the journey #countonchallenges."

He also posted pictures of his late-night 20-minute ice bath, noting that "the hardest part is getting over the first [two minutes]."

Bryant will apparently use the Nike account for a few days -- noting, "So yes I'm finally tweeting!! Mamba out."

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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.