Lakers Kobe Bryant has Proved Critics Wrong

June 15, 2009

Kobe Bryant has proved all his critics wrong. There can be no more doubt any longer. He has gotten the Los Angeles Lakers to the finals and produced a championship without Shaquille O’Neal.

This tiresome argument that has been discussed and dissected around the NBA is finally over!

Currently he is the best player in the entire league. He has beaten Wade, James, and Anthony. There is no player more dominate that Bryant and this season has proven it.

He strikes fear into every opposing team he faces. He has beat double and tipple teams numerous possessions. Nobody has been able to stop him. He has beaten the Shane Battier aka “The Kobe Stopper”, Ron Artest, Dahntay Jones, and Michael Pietrus. The best perimeter defenders the NBA has to offer.

He is a shooting guard with no apparent weakness. His jump shot is amazing. He has the best mid range in the game. Who has not seen him make impossible fadaway 16 ft jumpers with two guys guarding him again and again and again.

He can still drive and finish at the rim whenever he wants. He is not as strong as LeBron James but easily has more acrobatic moves to counter any opposition. I have noticed that over the years the refs are reluctant to give “freebie” calls the way they do stars like Dwayne Wade or LeBron James. It seems at times like all a player has to do is breath on them and they are at the line. Stu Jackson must have sent an NBA mandate stating that Bryant has to get knocked down to get to the free throw line and earn every one he gets.

He was criticized for being a ball hog in the past. That arguement has no water any longer. He has shown himself in the last two seasons to not only be a willing but also exceptional passer and playmaker. He easily gets six assists a game and gets his teammates, especially Trevor Ariza, many wide open shots including uncontested threes since so much attention is paid to him.

He has always play defense well. Many players with the offensive responsibilities do not play commit themselves on this end. They have neither the energy or the desire. Kobe has been on NBA All-Defensive Team for almost every season that he has been in the league since 1996. He hustles, goes for loose balls, and rarely ever gives up on plays. Most people fail to notice this critical part of his game. Fisher, another great defender, and him have won championship because they both are committed to defense and make a back court that really difficult to score against.

Give this guy his just due. He has proven everything. Sure he is a Laker, and everything in the NBA eventually always goes their way, but he has worked hard to establish himself as the best player in the NBA. He has been a match up nightmare for the other 29 team in the west and east. Kobe Bryant is the best the league hs to offer and the air apparent to Michael Jordan.