The Kobe Conspiracy

I'm often accused of being a Kobe hater, mostly because I keep telling people he's not the MVP, has never been an MVP and may very well never be an MVP. Kobe fans and apologists automatically assume any such position is proof that I merely hate Kobe and won't admit it. Thing is I openly admit that Kobe Bryant is a phenomenal talent and arguably the best player this decade, but that doesn't mean he's the most valuable player is the NBA. In fact, it's quite easy to make the argument that he isn't even the most valuable player on his team. Naturally such words are shouted down by Lakers fan, and Bryants lack of MVP trophy's is proof that the media is biased against him. C'mon folks, get serious.

Look there is no other player in the NBA as talented as Bryant is. At any given moment he can single handedly take over the offense and drain 12 or 20 straight points. He's hit big shots and won games late or on overtime. His ability to rack up 40 point games are the stuff of legend, as are his highlight real lay-ups and dunks. Still, no matter how many times he leads on Sportscenter the Lakers do not live and die by Kobe Bryant. Truth is the Lakers would have pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NBA history two years ago if it hadn't been for Bryant trying to do everything.

You remember it right? The Lakers getting into the playoffs by the skin of their teeth, facing the high powered Pheonix Suns in what was expected to be a four game slaughter. It didn't work out that way though as Bryant took a step back, shot less, passed more and played a hard half-court game that brought the Suns to the brink of elimination. Then Bryant decided to take the ball, shoot 25 times or more and grab the spotlight. Cue the comeback by the Suns and a Game 7 no-show by Bryant. A year later it was no different, this time Bryant didn't even bother to try and the Lakers were knocked out in five by the Suns. The evidence was clear, the Lakers couldn't win the big games playing Kobe Ball.

Jump to this year and you have a Lakers team that hit the ground running and hasn't looked back. L.A. has been steamrolling teams and are one of the best teams in the NBA. Thing is it has almost nothing to do with Bryant. His stats this year are no different from the last 5 but the team is somehow better. Gee wonder why? Could it be that it has something to do with the rest of the team? Or to be specific three other players.

The Lakers early success had a great deal more to do with the inspired play of center Andrew Bynum and forward Lamar Odom, both who were pulling down a double/double almost nightly and playing solid defense. Bynums play is the most important to note because he gave the Lakers an inside presence the haven't has since Shaq(begging the question just how much did Bryant really need O'Neal?) and was huge on the glass for a team that was getting out-rebounded constantly. Then Bynum got hurt and suddenly that low-post presence was gone. The Lakers stayed in the thick of things, but weren't really the same team. Then came the steal of the decade.

In exchange for Kwame Brown, guard Javaris Crittenton, guard Aaron McKie (who the Lakers signed earlier today), the draft rights to Marc Gasol and first round picks in 2008 and 2010 the Lakers stole Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies. Suddenly the Lakers went on yet another run, rolled up Division and Conference opponents and now find themselves tied for first overall in the West. Gasol has been a force for Los Angeles on both ends while Odom has continued his strong play. Team after team have fallen to the Lakers who now look like favorites to win the West and once again I say Bryant isn't the MVP.

You want a real MVP candidate? How about Chris Paul of New Orleans? How that squad currently has 44 wins is beyond comprehension until you watch Paul dominate an opposing team with his scoring and play making. Then there's the force of nature known as Dwight Howard who has singlehandedly turned the sad sack Magic into contenders in the East. Heck, I'd give the MVP to the entire starting five for the Houston Rockets at this point with the way that team has come together.

The MVP trophy is awarded to the player that makes the difference. That one person upon whom winning and losing rests. That's why goalies have won in in the NHL or defensive linemen have won it in the NFL. It's not the guy who scores the most or makes the most headlines, it's the person that the team can't win without. And if history has shown us anything it's that Bryant needs his team more then they need him.