Kobe Bryant: His Time Has Come

In the recent weeks most people have been discussing the blockbuster trades that have been shaking up the Western Conference.

Most writers are focused on how the new pieces will fit into each team’s puzzle but in reality, the biggest trade of the season was the one that never happened. 

This past offseason there were tons of reports circulating around Kobe Bryant’s wish to be traded.  Kobe voiced that he was unhappy with the way the organization had acted and that they had not done what was necessary to build a championship caliber team around him. 

He was right.

Perhaps in frustration Kobe belittled his young center, Andrew Bynum, saying that he was not going to be good enough to help him win an NBA title.  Most media people attacked Kobe for making these comments about a teammate, but that was the comment that changed the Lakers coming into this season.

When Bynum heard the remark made by Kobe, he said that it motivated him to work extremely hard during the offseason and to do his best to show Kobe that he belonged. With some help from Kareem Abdul Jabbar, his hard work paid off as he has emerged as one of the top young centers in the league.

What is there to take from all of this? 

The signs of a leader. 

There are times when players need to be comforted and pampered, but there are other times when they need a wake-up call or a jumpstart to help fulfill their potential.

There was never any question about Bynum’s talent.  Just a few years ago, in a game between the Lakers and the Heat, Bynum made his presence felt in just a mere 30 seconds of play.  Facing off against Shaq, Bynum proceeded to slam dunk over him and block him on the subsequent play.  After that, Shaq introduced his forearm to Bynum’s chin.

Even as a rookie, Bynum showed he had tenacity and grit, muscle and speed, and tons of potential oozing out of him.  Bynum was only 18 at the time, a mere boy in a big man’s body.  He was playing with Kobe Bryant, one of the best to ever play, and the fear of failing him was clearly a factor in his development as well.
 
This season the whole demeanor of the Lakers has completely changed. 

Kobe has shown that he not only expects, but trusts that his teammates will make plays.  Many analysts look at the statistics and see that Kobe’s shots per game have dropped from 27 to 23 to 20 in the last three years, but statistics cannot even begin to tell how Kobe’s game has changed. 

Some argue that he is more mature, but it really only shows how badly he wants to win.
 

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