NBA All-Star Game 2012: Kobe Bryant Will Win MVP Honors for Second Straight Year

Kobe Bryant has always wanted to prove that he’s the best to ever play the game of basketball. He wants more rings than Michael Jordan—that’s been his goal from the get-go.

He may never be considered by most as the greatest player ever, but Bryant has an opportunity to become the greatest NBA All-Star Game player to ever play if he can capture another MVP Award on Sunday.

Bryant will stamp his name as the best player to ever play in the event with his second straight and fifth NBA All-Star Game MVP Award.

Bob Petit, former St. Louis Hawks great, won the award four times throughout his Hall of Fame career. Bryant knows how many he holds in his career and who he is tied with. He’ll be looking to etch his name into the record books.

One thing I have noticed this season is how much Kobe hates being the second attraction in Los Angeles. The Clippers are one of the most entertaining teams in the NBA.

If you had to watch one team from Los Angeles play, who would you pick? I would easily watch Blake Griffin and the Clippers.

Bryant hates that.

He also hates that his team isn’t on the level as the league’s best.

“Maybe one day they’ll be able to sit at my lunch table,” said Bryant about the Oklahoma City Thunder. What does this comment say about how Bryant feels about being disrespected this year? He can’t stand the fact that he is on the downside of his career and these young guns are taking over.

Other than winning the NBA Championship, taking home MVP honors in front of a worldwide audience would be the next best thing to remind fans who has been the best player in this era.

Besides, he will be playing alongside Griffin and Chris Paul of the Clippers. You better believe he will want to out-shine those two superstars.

And that Kevin Durant guy is there as well.

Bryant already struggles to pass the ball, so do you honestly see him passing up shots to create for these guys? Of course he will pass occasionally, but I can easily see him jacking up at least 20 shots.

Last year, Bryant scored 37 points and recorded 14 rebounds in a 148-143 Western Conference victory. Expect the same type of dominating performance on Sunday.

Prediction: Bryant drops 36, grabs 11 rebounds and hits the game-winning shot in a Western Conference 142-140 victory.