by Gb Bongiovanni

Created on: June 14, 2009

The desire for a championship is the reason true athletes play the game they love as kids. It has nothing to do with the fame or money; it's standing upon that stage and making it apparent that there is none better. There are at least two men in L.A. who know this, as Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant both have their share of championships.

Now, according to the Lakers' website and team information, Jackson is the supposed coach of the Lakers and Kobe is one of the squad's guards. But I'm here to contend that, from what has been seen on the court this Finals, it appears Kobe Bryant might as well be the head coach.

The Lakers are on the verge of another championship, and Kobe is looking for that ultimate prize. That one elusive ring without Shaq may have to wait a few more games, but there is not much doubt that the Lakers will finish the job. When Shaq was manning the paint, there was not much chatter from a younger Kobe Bryant, but nowadays there is not a time-out or quarter in which Kobe is not running his mouth. It doesn't matter who he is speaking to, they are getting a dose of how to be a superstar in the NBA.

One of the knocks against Kobe when he was younger was that he didn't have that same team attitude that Michael Jordan had. Well, fast-forward to 2009, and Bryant is all about his teammates.

So does this new-found maturity mean that his leadership will transpire into more and more championships? That's yet to be seen.

And while Kobe is talking, talking, and talking, are his teammates listening? That's another thing up in the air.

We do not know if the leadership and the barking that Kobe does on a nightly basis are adding up to "W"s in that column. Are veteran players like Gasol and Fisher nodding their heads in agreement just to shut Kobe up or are they actually understanding and following?

Players like Adam Morrison, Shannon Brown, and Trevor Ariza are players who should listen to the knowledge that Kobe provides. Imagine being able to pick the brain of some of the greatest players to ever live, it's a truly amazing opportunity for these younger players.

Now, as Kobe teaches and players listen, where is Phil Jackson in all this? It's amazing that Phil doesn't have a problem or any concern at all with Kobe addressing every aspect of the game. Maybe it's the fact that Kobe understands his game plan so much that Kobe is on the exact same page and is just like an assistant coach to the "Zen Master."

It seems as if Kobe is the coach on the floor during game time. Phil must do some of the talking in practice just to get his two cents in.

Bryant looks for championship No. 4, and Jackson looks for the record with No. 10. While both say the importance has nothing to do with Kobe showing up Shaq or Jackson winning more than Red, we all know better. This is Los Angeles, home of the drama and Screen Actor's Guild awards. Phil and Kobe might as well be in the starring roles for "Days Of Our Lives L.A."

They say time has healed all wounds for Kobe and Phil, but the level of confidence that Kobe plays basketball with must have taken its toll by now, as Kobe does quite a bit of the coaching, not Phil.

Learn more about this author, Gb Bongiovanni.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.