It's no coincidence that Kobe Bryant received the MVP honor during a year he put together his most complete all-around season ever. He definitely deserved it for how he played this year and if your a 'Laker Apologist', like I know many of you are, then u can say that his receiving the award makes up for the many he should of had during past seasons (I don't agree with the latter)
The shame comes in the fact it took him 12 NBA seasons to do it when in fact it should of only took him 4 to 5 years to get his first most valuable player award if not earlier. But once Kobe decided to skip college and go straight into the NBA he instantly retarded his maturity process (on and off the court) therefore u had a player go through a lengthy growing pain process in the Pros that was not only painful for Bryant but for his fans and coaches alike. This year Kobe finally put all the pieces together when it comes to playing team ball, and Yes the Pau Gasol trade was important and it that definitely helped turn the team around, but ultimately it still came down to Kobe leading this team with care while believing and trusting his teammates. That's why there on an incredible playoff winning streak now and have a bright future in front of them
There's a good chance this will be Kobe's first and last MVP seasonal award, with the likes of Chris Paul and Lebron James breathing down his neck as the best all around player in the league. But when its all said and done if Kobe can raise a few more championship banners those MVP's won't mean all that much but I can't help but wonder what could of been if an already super-talented High School senior from Philadelphia would of taken that Duke scholarship and played 2 years under Coach K; at this point and time in Kobe's career Michael Jordan comparisons would of been valid without an inch of doubt because Jordan would of have personally passed the torch to Kobe Bryant instead of passing it to the league in general
Unless Lebron developes a jump shot in the next couple of seasons he wont be breathing down anybody's neck. You turn Lebron into a "jump shooter" and you pull his card.
Chris Paul on the other hand is amazing, but until he does it consistantly for a few seasons, and on the defensive end (same with Lebron), Kobe wont be relinquishing his title of "Worlds Greatest Player" any time soon.
When Bryant retires. Its open season. By that time you'll have Howard, Durant, maybe Oden, Paul, D Wade (still have faith in him), West, Lebron and a few others battling for that title.
As for the college thing. Michael didnt know he had teammates until Phil Jackson showed him. And I believe Kobe was so talented that if he would have played for, lets say the Clippers out of the draft, he would have averaged a ton.
If all Lebron needs to do is get a jump shot to be the best player in the NBA then consider that task DONE AND COMPLETED...starting next year Lebron will show why he will be the new standard of phenomenal play in the NBA. Barring injury he will develop into a cross between Magic Johnson (dish the ball and score at will) and Michael Jordan (take the ball to the rim and dunk plus score at will)...and it will be nothing nobody in the league can do about it from a defensive point of view; except watch him night and night out and hope he misses his shot voluntarily. I can't say if Lebron teams as a whole will ever win a championship but I'm damn sure when it's all said and done Lebron should be the best to ever play the game...and that's insane to say in 2008 but that's how much MAGIC-JORDAN dna he has in him, it will be fun to watch
