Kobe Bryant Video: Watch Black Mamba Drop 45 at Drew League

Kobe Bryant is the best player in basketball, and he proved it by dropping 45 on the Drew League, including the game winner.

What will the Black Mamba do next?!

Seriously though, is this what is about to become of the NBA, or sports in general?

While it is fun to watch Kobe school people on the hardwood again, I think there is a greater meaning that can be found in this clip. Sure, he hit the game-winning shot, but what did he win?

Perhaps the coach took him and the boys out after the game for a few slices of pizza. Actually, I think ice cream would have been in order after such a stunning performance.

While it’s all fun and games to watch these NBA players ball-up against guys who might not normally get to play against them, it still means nothing. There is no trophy on the line; there is no championship to be won.

But, there is also no money at stake. There is no billion-dollar pie that is being discussed in a suite during the game.

Kobe hit the game winner and people went crazy. They didn’t win a title; heck they didn’t even win a real game. They did capture the true essence of sports though, and if anything that is what should really be celebrated in this clip.

I know Kobe’s a competitor, but is he really going to be content with a round of ice cream sundaes after the game? I can almost guarantee you that he didn’t do it for the sundae. He did it for the competition.

Sports are about competition, trying to beat your opponent, and the thrill of winning. There is no amount of money, no marketing scheme and no lockout that can replace the thrill of hitting that game-winning shot.

Do yourself a favor: Go and find a hoop, net, chessboard or honestly anything that you can relate to in your favorite sport.

If you’re a true sports fan, you will feel the greatest rush by just playing the game.

You could be out in your backyard counting down the seconds until the buzzer-beater, and when you hit it you’ll be on top of the world. It doesn’t matter who’s watching; it doesn’t even matter that it wasn’t real.

Nobody will probably see you; no endorsements will be calling you when you get back home; and you definitely won’t make the top plays later on TV.

You experienced sports though, and if anything that is what we should get out of this clip.

It’s good to see players like Kobe still embracing basketball during the lockout; it’s good to see that it’s not all about the money for some of these guys.

In this age of lockouts and holdouts and big money deals it’s always nice to catch a glimpse of the real reason we love sports.

You can take the players and fans out of the game, but you can never take the game out of them.