Is Kobe Bryant Actually Getting Better?

Kobe Bryant has been playing like a gangbuster this season, particularly over the last six games. He's playing like he hasn't played in years, and it raises the question, is he getting better?

You know those sports writers that make these strong statements and never admit they were wrong? Not me. If I'm wrong, I'll tell you. I was one of many ready to tell you Bryant was in decline. Clearly, I was wrong. 

I don't know if he's playing better than he ever has, but he is playing better than he has in a long time. His scoring is up to 30.3 points per game, the best since 2007 and his third best ever. 

His PER is the second best of his career, 27.3. He's having his third-best year in rebounding with 5.8 per game. He's averaging a career-high 5.5 assists per game. 

His advanced stats are equally as impressive. His rebound percentage is the second best of his career, 9.1 percent. His assist percentage is 34 percent, a career high. His usage is also at a career high, 39.5 percent (though some would complain about that). His WS/48 is, again, at a career high of .229. 

His field-goal percentage is the same as when he won the MVP, .459. 

While his defensive numbers are slightly off, his offensive production is the best it was since he was in his mid-20s. 

Either the Mike Brown system complements Bryant's abilities more than Phil Jackson's, the knee surgery is a raging success, Bryant just really doesn't like being called seventh best in the world, or he's just on a mission to win No. 6. Or perhaps it's just a combination of all of the above. 

While it's hard to say Kobe is better than ever, it's not at all a stretch to say he's better than he has been in four or five years. If he plays like this all season, with Andrew Bynum breaking out and with Pau Gasol holding his own, the Los Angeles Lakers have to be considered the favorites to win the Western Conference.