LOS ANGELES, June 9 -- He doesn't see it as a big deal, but when you're Kobe Bryant and you make headlines by donning a new pair of sunglasses, it certainly qualifies as a bona fide NBA Finals 2002 subplot.

The question: What other player's uniform will Kobe wear next?

Kobe's answer? Who knows?

From top to bottom: Kobe in a Gretzky jersey, Kobe in a Jackie Robinson jersey, Kobe in a Joe Namath jersey, and Kobe in a Hank Aaron jersey. (Ray Amati, Scott Quintard, Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images)

In what can be seen as a subtle shout-out to sports heroes past and present, the Lakers guard has taken to wearing other athletes' jerseys on his way to the arena and during postgame appearances. Bryant has been seen in (in no particular order): a Hank Aaron baseball jersey, a Pedro Martinez baseball jersey, a Joe Montana football jersey, a Joe Namath football jersey, and a vintage Jerry West Lakers jersey. On Friday night, Bryant showed up for Game 2 sporting a Jackie Robinson baseball jersey; for Sunday's Game 3, Kobe arrived at the Continental Airlines Arena in Wayne Gretzky's No. 99 with the Edmonton Oilers (at right).

Bryant claims there is no thought process behind which uniform he selects. When asked if there was an organized system in place, he said none existed.

"You mean is there a method to my madness?" said Bryant yesterday. "No, not really."

One thing is clear, though, and that's that Bryant is only donning the uniforms of top-tier athletes. When asked about it, Bryant made it clear that there was a line he wouldn't cross.

"(Would I wear the uniform) of a bum?" said Bryant. "No. I would never wear the uniform of a bum."

Sometimes Bryant uses the uniforms to send a message to his teammates. After Game 7 of the West Finals, Bryant addressed the media in a 49ers-era Joe Montana jersey. When asked about it, he joked before admitting that he did pick red No. 16 for a reason.

"I have a thousand jersies in my house, so i just pulled one out," said Bryant following the series-clinching game. "Just kidding ... I just like Joe Montana. He's a great player. Even when he was down two or three touchdowns, he still found a way to win. That's a message I wanted to send to my teammates; that we can come in (to Sacramento) and win, so let's just do it."

Kobe's teammates see it as nothing more than Kobe being Kobe.

"Kobe is just like your average, everday basketball or football fan with the jerseys on," said Lakers forward Samaki Walker at Thursday's practice. "It's just one of those fashion things that we as players go through to express our personalities."

So the real question is, would Bryant wear a current NBA player's uniform?

"Oh yeah, I'd definitely wear one of a current player," said Bryant.

Anyone in particular?

"Uh ... Jordan."

Wizards or Bulls?

"Bulls, man. Definitely."

Interpret that uniform choice as you will.