Los Angeles Lakers: Is There Reason to Believe in Tinseltown?

I'm trying not to get too excited about this Laker team.

But damn, it's tough.

After last night's win against a very nice New Orleans Hornets team, 109-80, it's getting even harder.

I know, I know: The Lakers had the same 23-11 record last year and then dramatically fell off and barely made the playoffs.

But this year seems different.

One of the main reasons, of course, is the "young hoss," Andrew Bynum. He's averaging about 13 points and 10 rebounds a night with about 2 blocks a game.

Sure, he started strong last year too, but he just couldn't maintain it.

This year's different: his conditioning's better, his footwork's better and his work ethic is through the roof (all it took, apparently, was Kobe dissing him in a parking lot).

But 13 and 10, while good for a young big, isn't what makes this team dangerous.

It's Kid Skills, the Black Mamba, KB24, the soon-to-be-MVP.

It's Kobe Bryant.

Kobe's currently racking up 26 points, 6 boards, 5 dimes, and 2 rips a game while shooting 44 percent from the field. Yeah, those are great stats, but they're actually kind of a step down from his more-amazing years.

The reason Kobe's the MVP this year isn't just in those numbers.

Now, he's trusting his teammates. Detractors will say, "He's supposed to be applauded for that?" But Kobe's been justified in years past for doing the opposite; his non-Shaq teams haven't stepped up.

Sadly, Kobe taking a contested J (especially during that period where he was hitting from the parking lot) has often been a better option than a wide-open teammate.

And now, he's healthy. Despite the strong start last year, careful observers could tell Kobe wasn't right physically.

Recovering from a knee surgery, Kobe was getting used to how his body worked. He committed turnovers, his body failing him; he'd step up to lock down the other team's best player and would grasp at air.

But this year, his knee looks right.

A fully-recovered Kobe is the league's MVP. (And I'm not forgetting about Garnett.)

Okay, I'm done fellating Kobe. The other guys are worth some praise, too.

Lamar Odom seems more confortable as the second or third option. Derek Fisher has brought his grit and shooting back. Vlad Rad is showing he has game. Javaris Crittenton and Jordan Farmar could be young studs. And Phil Jackson has adjusted the offense to fit the personnel.

I could go on and on, but, like I said, I'm trying not to get too excited about this team.