Should Kobe Bryant become the NBA's MVP for the 2007/2008 pro basketball season?

Yes

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by Sam Yang

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Kobe Bryant is the MVP of the NBA. There is no doubt that this player has done what other players only dream of doing. A player that dominates the floor. Kobe Bryant dominates is not only a scoring machine; he is a defensive player that can create stops when his team needs him the most. Who else is better than Kobe Bryant? Are we talking about Chris Paul, Lebron James, or Kevin Garnett? The players that I have listed are great players, but they are simply not as good as Kobe Bryant.

We are talking about a player that has single-handily carried his team to the NBA Playoffs for 2 years in a row. The Lakers were a inferior team compared to the high powered Suns with a great point guard in Steve Nash and an up and coming power forward in Amare Stoudemire. Who did the Lakers have? A point guard in Smush Parker and a bona fide scrub in Kwame Brown to counter the Suns? And yet the Lakers made it interesting even though everyone knew that they are the underdogs.

Kobe has turned things around. In Los Angeles last summer, it seemed like everything was going to blow up. Kobe demanding for a trade and the Lakers management listening for offers. Chicago or the Knicks? Everyone was on their seats and most were probably betting on the Lakers making a trade. It did not happen.

First and foremost, the Lakers were not going to give up Bryant, a player that is considered by the majority, to be the best player in the NBA today, let alone in his prime. Lakers will not be known as the franchise that traded both Shaq and Kobe. Which players would fill the gap of Kobe? Who could they get from Chicago or even the Knicks? Not a single decent talent would replace Kobe.

Kobe Bryant has only one thing on his mind. He wants to win. Not games, but championships. Notice the 's' in "championships"? The man is in his prime and he knows that when you reach the top, there is only a few years at the top. The best time to win championships. Michael did it in his prime. But Jordan did it with a superb support cast of players. What does the Lakers have?

Prior to the season, the Lakers did not have any other players that were of any significant to take the load off Kobe when Kobe has an off night. When was the last time Lamar Odom took over a game? Or help get the Lakers over the hump? The management brought back Derek Fisher, a player that played with Bryant for 8 years before moving on to the Golden State Warriors. Although Fisher doesn't often command a double team or play particular well in a specific area, he is still a decent point guard. One that knows how play in the triangle. He also brings a veterans voice into the locker room.

Derek Fisher brings leadership and another voice that the young squad can listen to. Him alone doesn't make the Lakers significantly better. Well, the patience has finally paid off. During the off season, teams wanted to make a trade with the Lakers. They wanted a player named Andrew Bynum. Jason Kidd and Kevin Garnett was in the talks of the trades. The Lakers however, were not willing to move Bynum because they believed he was something else. It turns out, he is.

Bynum took the harsh criticism of Bryant and he took it well. Maybe too well. The comments made him work harder than before. And in return, he was one of the biggest surprises for the league, for the Lakers, and probably to Kobe Bryant. Kobe and Bynum created a dynamic duo in a way. A powerful pick and roll offense that makes both players better and creating easier basket for the rest of their team mates. Up until December and early part of January, the Lakers well on the verge of becoming the best of the best in the Wester Conference. Then it all went down hill.

Bynum sustained an leg injury. A serious injury. Out for at least 8 weeks. Without Bynum, The Lakers are once again without a big in the middle. Kwame Brown proved that he could not do a thing about defense let alone offense. But he would prove to be a key factor in turning the Lakers around. With the acquisition of Pau Gasol by trading away Kwame Brown, a backup point guard, and a couple future 1st round draft picks, the Lakers made them a better team and also, keeping the core of the team relatively young.

Kobe, through all of this, was relatively quiet about his trade demands and his unhappiness with the Lakers and their management. Kobe is a NBA player. What that means is that even though he and the Lakers are having a nightware off the court, when he is on the court, he is still the best player in the league. He proved that again this year. Playing with the likes of Bynum and Gasol. Making those 2 players even better and overall, getting the wins that are needed in the Western Conference.

Bryant also grew trust. He trusted his team mates for the first time in ages. In the past, he did not have a reason to rely on his team mates. They could not deliver under pressure, they could not make a shot when the Lakers needed them to make one, and overall, they lacked the confidence. Kobe Bryant changed all of that this season. He is making himself a better leader. He gives the second unit a chance. He gives them open looks and gives them the confidence to play along with the best player in the league.

In return? The Lakers have been playing great. The bench is doing a great job of playing in the triangle offense and scoring. Lakers have also played some of their best defense in years. The Lakers achieved this even while Kobe Bryant is playing through an injury. An injury to his left pinkie finger that will require surgery. He is playing his heart out. He has the determination and the will power to make things happen.

Even with all the setbacks with injuries this year, the Lakers have still played really well. Well enough to have the best record in the Western Conference. They beat out Utah, Spurs, and the up and coming Hornets. Without Kobe Bryant, the Lakers would not have achieved this much success. He alone, is the reason that the Lakers are playing this well. Lakers do have good players on their team, but without Kobe Bryant, it's a totally different story.

Kobe changed his overall game. No longer the ball hog of the NBA. Kobe is now, somewhat of a pass first type player. With the confidence between him and his team mates, Kobe doesn't have to do everything. He can let people play defense and let others execute their own offense. He is creating more opening for his team mates and he is playing his best. He is not scoring as much as he use to, but he is shooting at a better percentage. Still, Kobe posses the clutch under pressure persona. He will want the ball at the end of games. He commands it and his team mates realize that. And no one can blame them for it. Kobe Bryant is the best player in the league, his team's record speaks for itself. Kobe Bryant is, the MVP of the 2007-2008 NBA Season.

Learn more about this author, Sam Yang.
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