Kobe Bryant's Sizzling Numbers Prove That He's Still a Top-5 Player

Only a few players in history have the ability to play well when they're angry.

Michael Jordan could do it, Larry Bird could do it and Kobe Bryant is doing it. Kobe has been in a mean and surly mood since before the jump ball on Christmas Day.

Life and organizational change has cast him there, but rumors of his demise are premature. Even if he doesn't say it verbally, he acknowledges the rumors with every fall-away and jab step.

There is no room on his mental bulletin board for motivational material. Surely, if we could take a peek, it would read:

Kobe has lost a step at 33 years old, he's played over 46,000 minutes in his NBA career.

Kobe shoots too much.

Kobe is behind LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard, Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade as far as top NBA players are considered.

Will his divorce will negatively effect his play?

Kobe's wrist injury is too much for him to overcome.

The list can seemingly go on forever, but Kobe is fueled by the adversity and the doubt. With him, piling on is like blowing a spit ball at the baddest kid in school when he's looking for a fight.

Bryant seemed to be proving many of the naysayers and doubters right early in the season. The Lakers lost a heart-breaker on Christmas and Kobe's eight turnovers were a big reason for their collapse against the Bulls. His mishaps set the stage for Derrick Rose to one-up him at the Staples Center.

Slowly but surely, Kobe has found his bearings. With a new offense and under a new coach, Kobe has found himself under both.

Don't look now, but Bryant is averaging over 30 points per game for the season, and a healthy 44 points per game in his last two. One a 48-point explosion versus the Suns, and lastly, an impressive vintage Bryant performance at Utah, to hand the Jazz their first home loss of the year. It was also the Lakers first road win of the year.

The shooting percentage many were worried about is .459; his career total is .455. His rebound and assist numbers are up from his career averages as well.

Can you say early favorite for MVP? I can.

To think that Kobe is producing at this level, amidst the pressure and tenuous circumstance, is amazing.

Like all great players in their 30s, Kobe's game has evolved. There won't be as many thunderous slams, but the footwork and touch is heightened.

The Black Mamba strikes differently, but he's just as deadly as ever.

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