Kobe Bryant Now Calling Himself "Vino" As Lakers Hope Winning Streak Carries Them to Playoffs

Like fine wine, L.A. Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant gets better with age.

And paying tribute to his Italian heritage as well as his ability to get the job done on the court at age 34, the five-time NBA world champion and 2008 league MVP has taken to calling himself a new nickname--"Vino."

That's the Italian word for "wine."

Bryant has used several hashtags on Twitter with his new-found handle and these days, he is certainly playing "like fine wine" as the Lakers--who have struggled all season--are now on a roll, having won five of their last six games, with Bryant scoring 34.8 points for L.A. on 56.9 percent shooting in the last five games alone.

With Sunday's 99-98 win in a thriller against the Atlanta Hawks, the Lakers have now pulled to a .500 record at 30-30 as they prepare to face Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday. And Bryant, ranked third in the league with 27.3 points per game, is at the top of his game right now.

But how is he doing it?

"I don't know. You guys tell me," Bryant told reporters after Sunday's game. "I was in my coffin a few years ago. I've got plenty in the tank, but if y'all want to feel free to criticize and say I don't, go right ahead."

On Twitter, Bryant has also begun taking his new nickname to several of his most recent tweets.

"Omg . My man just gave me a new nickname and I love it! Ha #vino."

"E=mc2 = #Vino"

"#Vino"

"Theory of E=mc2 =faster then light (the8)speed + VinoxMamba My Brains work.This is how it thinks Can u decipher it I'm curious 2cwatu got."