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
You have every reason to be in a state of euphoria right now, Mitch Kupchak turned into Jerry West for a day and turned a trade that will benefit the Lakers for years to come!
(And to give more credit where credit is due, I'll compliment Mitch 'one more' for not making that Jason Kidd trade that the whole world felt like he should of did a year ago...Jason is a great point guard but he's a liability as a scorer and some nights he's good for ZERO pts and 10 assists, that's down right horrible on a team like the Lakers where they needed a consistent 2nd scorer more than they needed a distributor--and before you say it, I'll stop u right now and say 'No, Lamar Odom is not the 2nd scorer most Laker Fans thing he is, Odom is overrated and to passive to be the dominant player fans keep saying he's going to become'...Kobe alone is the floor leader for the Lakers and a Pt. Guard like Jason would have only made things uncomfortable on the court)
But before u book championship victory parade tickets for the Lakers your going to have to wait another year becuase despite what the critics are barking (especially here in L.A. where everybody and their mother is drinking the purple and gold kool-aid) the Lakers HAVE NOT ARRIVED...Pau Gasol hasn't completed an injury free season in 3 or 4 years and despite Bynum's early season success before his injury, he's just now learning how to play like a real 'big man' and he has a few more learning curves to drive around before it really starts clicking in his head that he's 'the man'. Not to mention he's only 20 and never benefitted from learning from a great college coach on the fundamentals of hoops--he's just learning that now as a 3rd year pro
In the meantime Laker Fans, enjoy a nice, much longer playoff run this year but start printing the 08/09 NBA Western Conference Champ. Round tickets now and expect your team to make an appearance and u never know they might be in position to hang another World Champ. Banner @ Staples...U think that will be enough to prevent Krying Kobe from opting out of his contract?
