The Best

I really did not want to write anything today. For numerous reasons. But, one man left me no choice. That man is Kobe. Not Kobe Bryant. Just Kobe.

Certain special athletes reach the point where one name is all that is necessary. Michael Jordan is one of those, which is even more remarkable seeing as he has a common first name. But Kobe is a name that no one I know possesses. But has there ever been an athlete to reach one-name status in such a negative way as Bryant?

Kobe is synonymous with terms like “selfish,” “spoiled,” “a team cancer,” “accused rapist,” and “overrated.” But now, today, I am re-naming Kobe. Or should I say re-defining Kobe.

As someone who hated Kobe’s game and attitude before it was cool to do so, then took up for Kobe when everyone hated him, I feel it is my job to clue everyone in before the new trend takes off. So get ready, the Kobe love is on the horizon (if it hasn’t already arrived).

Kobe is now synonymous with “team player.” Ok, maybe that is a bit of a stretch, but he is at least helping make his teammates better. Luke Walton, Sasha Vujacic, Kwame Brown (!), and my main man, Smushie Parker, are all playing the best basketball of their storied NBA careers. And by storied, I mean a kiddie book about caterpillars. Lamar Odom, Brian Cook, and Devean George are contributing as well. The point is Kobe’s greatness is raising the level of his teammates’ play, forcing them to believe in themselves and the team.

Kobe is also synonymous with “clutch.” This is nothing new, but people generally have said, “Kobe is clutch, but…” filling in the " …" portion with one of those above-mentioned synonyms on the negative side. Now, he is simply clutch, period. Big shots, big steals, key passes; he is doing it all in crunch time.

Kobe is next synonymous with “complete player.” His defensive abilities have always been strong, but he has not always chosen to apply these abilities. Not to be confused with Ron Artest, of course, but Kobe’s defense is solid on the ball and his help-side instincts are excellent. Watch any Lakers game and you’ll find him free-lancing off the ball for steals. He rebounds well for a guard, taking advantage of his size and quickness. Finally, Kobe has become a terric passer. Yes, of the basketball. He sets up his teammates to better succeed, but also recognizes the correct pass to make as opposed to just giving up the ball.

Lastly, Kobe is synonymous with “hands-down, bar none, the best player in the NBA today, period.” There has been great debate over Kobe’s greatness for many years, as his negative descriptions have overshadowed his talent. People refused to acknowledge just how great Kobe was because no one wanted him to be the best. With this rebirth, Kobe’s talent is now complimented by his public persona. The guy who credits his teammates, shares the ball, takes over in the clutch, and wins is easy for the fans to admire and for the media to anoint as “the best.” The fact that Steve Nash is reported to be awarded his second straight MVP award is hilarious. Who votes for this stuff? The only debate was Kobe or LeBron, as Nash should have been a very distant third at best. In my opinion, Kobe deserved the award before these playoffs began. Now, there is little question, as punctuated by his dunk over Nash in game 2.

In all honesty, Kobe does not need the MVP award. His not winning has further motivated him, much as Barkley (’93) and Malone (’97) winning over His Airness did for Michael. I’m not stupid enough to think he is going to carry the Lakers to the NBA Title this season. They could conceivably choke away the series against Phoenix and make me look like a moron within the week. But, the redefinition of Kobe has at least begun in full, winning over the fans and the media.

All in all, Kobe Bryant is raising his game and changing his image. It has been a work-in-progress since his trial, with a conscious effort by his marketing and PR people to make him enduring to the general public once again. His floor game has taken a longer time to evolve, with the old labels sticking around for a while. Now that everything is lining up, he has become the game’s best player and one of its most respected. Kobe will never be Michael, nor should he try to be. He has instead finally realized that he need only be Kobe. Used to, that was not enough. Now? Being Kobe means simply being The Best.