Kobe's Maturity.........

In Phil Jackson’s book “The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul” it featured four superstar players Gary Payton, Karl Malone, Shaquille O’neal and Kobe Bryant. It was the 2003-04 season that ended without a championship ring despite having four future Hall of famers. Shaquille blamed Kobe for the fall out then Phil delivered the final blow when he wrote that Kobe was uncoachable. Kobe remained mum the whole time deciding not to exchange verbal jabs. He made a mistake when he went toe to toe with Shaq further damaging his reputation in return.
Phil Jackson always has a way of making people developed to their full potential and he had to do it for Kobe’s wake up call. Phil knew how good Kobe was he just wants him to develop his trust on his teammates rather than taking all the shots. Before Michael Jordan became the greatest basketball player of all time he was also the number one ball hog player lacing up a Chicago Bulls uniform from his rookie years. Phil and Tex Winters develop the triangle offense so that Michael will learn how to pass and trust his teammates more and the result ended with 6 championship rings and Jordan’s 5 MVP awards from that troubled season Kobe bounce back gracefully earning his first MVP award and a championship ring last year.
Pau Gasol was very vocal lately with Kobe not passing the ball often going to the media and making unlikely comments. It wasn’t Kobe’s fault when he had to share the post with a healthy Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom. It wasn’t his fault either when he continued to bail them out for the 7th time this season. Kobe was just doing things to help them get the W. Kobe shrug the issue and instead praise Gasol saying the team needs him. Kobe won’t make the same mistake he had done before and logically the Lakers need Gasol more than anything. Kobe is just focused in winning he could have reprimanded Gasol when he was soft in defending the paint. He could have said something when Pau had his off nights but not a word. The maturity goes beyond experience Kobe is chasing his fifth, sixth or seventh ring and with a clear goal on his mind he is now playing with a deep purpose… You cannot please everybody and Kobe knows that pretty well.