Kobe Bryant: His Time Has Come

In the past it was clear that sometimes Kobe believed he needed to put up 40 a game for his team to win.  He would come out ready to go and if he was hot the Lakers would win, if not, they would usually lose. These days, more often than not, Kobe is reserved in the early stages of the game instead looking to get his teammates involved rather than look to take over the game himself. 

By instilling this trust now, he will be rewarded in the postseason as his teammates become more confident the more the ball is in their hands.
 
Kobe trusts that Bynum will slide to the hoop when he drives the opposing team’s center so that they can have an easy dunk.  Before Bynum’s injury, he was second in the league in total dunks.  Kobe has faith that guys like Derek Fisher, Jordan Farmar, and Sasha Vujacic will drain the open trey when the defense collapses on him.  All three of them are shooting at least 38 percent from beyond the arc this year. 

Kobe exudes confidence, and now the whole team has that self-belief as well.

Kobe always knew he could win another championship as he had been there before but his teammates never seemed to have the same belief that he did. Now they do.

It is not only his offensive intensity that rubs off on his teammates; it's his hard nose defense as well.  That is why guys like Ronny Turiaf are banging bodies with big men and hustling for loose balls.  It's why Farmar is constantly harassing the other teams point guard down the court. 

Kobe is guiding this team, showing them what needs to be done in order to win, and setting the tone.  When the game is on the line it's Kobe out there guarding the other team’s best SG or SF, looking for the all important defensive stop.
 
That is what makes Kobe one of the best all around players.  But even though everyone knows Kobe is one of the best to ever play, many have questioned his ability to lead and win a championship on his own.  Many credit the three championships he has to Shaq, which is a valid case.

Now his time has come.  No. 24 now has the pieces he needs to get his fourth ring, and put all his doubters to rest.  He is a winner and has one of the most lethal benches in the league. 

Do not forget Kobe can still turn it on when he needs to.

This season, Kobe has decided to lead by example and become the epitome of a superstar in the NBA.  He has set out a goal for his squad to win a championship.  It is said that when great leaders talk, everyone listens.  When they walk, everyone follows. 

Kobe is walking. The Lakers are following.

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