Kobe Bryant: the Lakers Star Scores 48 in Vintage Fashion

Forget all the talk about being old or shooting too many shots.  The Lakers could use games like Kobe Bryant's 48-point performance in last night's victory over the Phoenix Suns, 99-83, if they really want to contend in the NBA this year.  Otherwise, it's going to be another early vacation for the purple and gold.

As long as Pau Gasol keeps shooting jump shots and playing passively while Andrew Bynum plays like he has no coordination, head coach Mike Brown and the Lakers will need all the scoring they can get from Bryant.

It's once again Black Mamba time and as of now it isn't broke, so don't fix it. 

Bryant scored his points with ease last night and every point was scored the way it should be—with tact and within the flow of the game. 

Bryant didn't force shots like he sometimes does and, to the delight of the Staples Center crowd, he threw in a couple SportsCenter-worthy highlight dunks in the fourth quarter and showed his trademark basketball IQ all night.

On a play late in the third quarter, Bryant set Brown up from the baseline with one of the night's best plays.  All Brown could do was tuck his arms, bow his head and walk away.

Kobe called for the ball in the low post along the baseline.  Hesitated for a moment and turned with precision, delivering a smooth pump-fake that got Brown in the air for the bump and foul. 

And one. Bryant to the charity stripe.

Bryant hit fadeaway after fadeaway and step-back jumpers on Grant Hill throughout the game and showed everyone who the old man on the court really was last night. 

Due to Bryant's big night, Hill was harassed into a horrid 1-for-12 shooting night with four personal fouls.

Apparently, Bryant hates the Suns for their playoff battles and also has a chip on his shoulder for being ranked No. 7 in a poll of the NBA's top players.

Whatever has Bryant in this zone hopefully can keep him there for the remaining 55 games.  Looking at the box score, the Lakers need all the help they can get.