They said that Kobe would never make it out of the first round of the playoffs, he'd would never win and MVP award, he would never be a leader, and they said that he could never win without Shaq.
Well, Kobe has proved everyone wrong, because he has done all of the above with a mediocre supporting cast.
Kobe is hands-down the best player in the world with a basketball in his hands because he knows how to take over a game and get his teammated involved when it matters the most.
Plus, all he ever asked for was a little help, and the Lakers front office got him just that with the addition of Pau Gasol, who has been a big help for the Lakers in their successful run this season.
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For the first time in Kobe's career he was rewarded for his hard work and effort by winning the MVP award, and he didn't even have to lead the league in scoring or put up lots of 50 point games.
He is also no longer the ball hog, but rather a team player, and it showed during the season. Even while Kobe played through injuries, it never slowed him down as the Lakers looked like the Lakers of old.
So now the question that everyone wants to know is: Can Kobe win it all?
Kobe has a great supporting cast that can get the job done, but a lot of speculators out there are saying that the team is too young, and besides Kobe, can Gasol and Odom really step their game up in a NBA Finals?
Kobe is an amazing player and the deadliest clutch player in the game today, but it's him being Batman and having no Robin that will be the difference in the Lakers quest to a championship.
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3 months ago
I think that Pau Gasol is a servicable Robin.
3 months ago
The writer of the article is right on the money about the NBA Finals being an enormous challenge for the Lakers if they make it there. Boston and Detroit are superb teams with great team chemistry. Detroit is fantastic and totally underrated. Each player on their starting five is a scoring threat and good/great defender. They are either All Stars or former All Stars. Their bench in my opinion is stronger than the LA bench. That is because Stuckey and Maxille are basically starters anywhere else in the NBA. They are also young and very talented.
I don't think the Lakers are ready for this challenge yet. I think Boston matches up better except for Paul Pierce who has had a monster post season. The guy is red hot and unafraid to take over a game. If the Lakers can hold Paul Pierce they can win. Detroit is tougher. The Lakers are not ready for them yet. They need Bynum or at least an Ariza at the top of his game to contend with them. The only way the Lakers beat Detroit is if Phil Jackson can create the greatest game plan with some psychological tweaking of the Pistons, and a hobbling Chauncey Billups.
I hope they can do it but either Boston or Detroit will be the better than any team they have faced so far in the west.
3 months ago
i disagree I think the spurs and Jazz are two very good teams around the same level as the pistons and celtics. Sure it will be tough for the lakers to win considering they dont have home court advantage but they have Kobe bryant and phil jackson. In my opinion their bench is better than the pistons so I think they can take it all im pretty sure the will actually I cant see Kobe getting to the finals and losing again not this new and improved kobe atleast. He will elevate his game in the finals I bet.
from 3 months ago
Josh, your vision must be spotty at best. Detroit and Boston were the superior teams throughout the regular season and have proven to be just that in the playoffs. San Antonio and Utah are not the same teams as Boston and Detroit.
And L.A.'s bench is better?! Really? Than Detroit and Boston? I'm interested to hear your justification for that comment. I'm baffled, really. I'm trying to wrap my head around that one and all I get is a dizzying sense of shock and naivety.
from 3 months ago
Detroit bench: 28 points 9 rebounds and 5 assists.
Boston bench is the same 28 points 9 rebounds 5 assists.
Lakers bench: 31 points 10 rebounds and 7 assists.
Wrapped your head around it yet Geoff?
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