Redemption! Thy Name Is Kobe Bryant

Maybe it's because of the Pau Gasol trade.

Maybe it's because Shaq got shipped away.

Maybe it's because he gets more respect than arguably any player in the NBA.

But Kobe Bryant is not the man he once was.

The greatness which is embodied in the concept of "irony" is that people underestimate its profundity for coincidence. Prior to last season, Kobe won three championships as a co-star. Last year, he was the undeniable star and his team fell noticeably short in the Finals. Meanwhile, he won MVP that year.

Stop and think about this for a second. Two words that were synonymous with Kobe in the past were "egotistical" and "selfish". Suddenly, in a set-up where he is the ace and the closer on a team loaded with depth and talent, he wins MVP because he was able to transcend his game to be the ultimate team player.

There are so many angles you can take with this:

"He had to be THE MAN before he would finally play team ball."

"Kobe played team ball because he finally had real teammates."

"The better the team, the more credit goes to the undisputed best player."

It's hard to say for certain which angle would be right. But when a person does good things, generally people should give them the benefit of the doubt.

For all the glory and accolades Kobe has received as a sports figure, he has been mired in controversy for most of his career. He doesn't speak with his mom or dad. He has been aloof with teammates. He was the reason that the greatest potential big man-small man combo in the NBA never reached its potential.

He was involved in a rape case. He had marital issues. His current coach—the same one who was steering the ship during those championship years—called him "uncoachable" and basically bashed him as a human being in a book written not so long ago.

Say what you will about Kobe now, but he does not play selfishly. He is not credited as the best player in the league any more, and yet he seems fine with that. As opposed to burning bridges when the opportunities have presented themselves, Kobe has taken the high road.

Make no mistake, Shaq knew what he was saying when he did that freestyle after the Finals. His words were, and I quote: "Kobe couldn't do it without me."

It wasn't to get a reaction—it's because Shaq is emotionally immature.  Imagine losing in the Finals to the Lakers' storied nemesis in what was nearly a lopsided series, and hearing that from a personal nemesis. What did Kobe say? nothing. He let it brush off his shoulders.

He dominates both sides of the court. He is a leader by example and by vocality. He works as hard or harder than anyone on his team—or in the NBA, for that matter.

His sole focus is winning. He carries himself in a friendly, approachable way. He turns a blind eye to critics as opposed to letting it be a distraction.

Ladies and gentleman, the new Kobe Bryant.

The definition of a franchise player.

The definition of a role model.

The definition of a good human being.

The definition of redemption.