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Kobe deserves MVP nod

Submitted by SHNS on Mon, 04/07/2008 - 14:49

He has been part of more turbulent seasons, more dramatic seasons, more intriguing seasons. He has been paired with better centers and surrounded by a superior supporting cast. He has been a champion, and a real chump.Yet only months after (a) demanding a trade, (b) bailing on his coach and (c) being booed by his hometown fans, Kobe Bryant has morphed into the league's MVP. After all these seasons -- and who will forget the very public spat with the super-sensitive Shaquille O'Neal? -- the league's best player deserves to be recognized as its MVP.At age 29, he understands the distinction between great teammate and great player. It isn't about Kobe anymore. It's about his Los Angeles Lakers, the joint venture that toyed with the Kings during their 114-92 victory Sunday night in Sacramento, the season's success attributable to a variety of factors and the contributions of many. Jerry Buss and Mitch Kupchak refused to trade their disgruntled superstar for lesser talents, then swiped Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies. Phil Jackson worked effectively behind the scenes, calming his bosses, providing a stabilizing influence inside his locker room, and coaxing productive seasons out of veterans and youngsters alike. And Bryant, admittedly humbled when his bosses obtained Gasol and proved to be prescient about young Andrew Bynum, responded with a degree of leadership that earns superstars the most cherished individual accolade in the game."This is the first time since Shaq left that Kobe has elevated the play of the guys around him," said Lakers assistant Brian Shaw, a former teammate of both superstars. "His all-around game has been tremendous. He's still getting his points, but his rebounds are up, his assists are up, and his defense is really good."And, yet, Bryant could easily lose an MVP race that is as contentious as the Western Conference. Boston's Kevin Garnett has combined with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to facilitate an historic and complete transformation of the Celtics, but notably, competes in a far weaker conference. LeBron James leads the league in scoring, once again, while lugging around the slumping Cleveland Cavaliers. Chris Paul is enjoying a brilliant season, not only edging ahead of Steve Nash with 11.5 assists per game, but also ranking first in steals and among the top 20 in scoring. (Of note: Peja Stojakovic, bad back and all, benefits from a nightly massage.)"The way the Lakers are playing, the way Kobe is playing, I still say Kobe's the best player," Kings coach Reggie Theus said. "But Chris Paul ... maybe it should come down to which team finishes with the best record."Perhaps, but I give the nod to Kobe for this reason: Because the Lakers have rejoined the contenders while incorporating Gasol into the lineup, with Bynum (knee) on the sidelines for much of the season, because Lamar Odom and role players named Fisher, Walton, Farmar and Vujacic somehow just seem to fit into the triangle. The Lakers also understand how to entertain.They move the ball beautifully, eschewing the one-on-one style that doomed the Kings on Sunday. They play with a rhythm, with a clear sense of purpose. They play like a team.And when they falter? That third quarter Sunday night? There was Kobe, easing into dominance while electrifying the crowd. The 15-footer from the top. The three-pointer from the left. The theft against Spencer Hawes. The two threes from the right. The wing jumper, the assist to Vladimir Radmanovic, the presence, the leadership, the defense.Jordan. Bird. Magic ...This is Kobe's time, Kobe's turn.(Contact Ailene Voisin at avoisin@sacbee.com.)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)