2008 Woodie Awards
The NBA MVP race
Zach Roddy
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Sports
Few significant obstacles have been placed in front of Kobe Bryant after the departure of Shaquille O'Neal and a plummeting relationship with head coach Phil Jackson. Bryant's public image was nearly tarnished forever when he was arrested for allegedly raping a women in Colo., all the while contract endorsements and merchandise relating to his name were terminated.
That was then, but this is now. Kobe has his hall-of-fame coach Phil Jackson back, another dominate big-man in Pau Gasol, and his Los Angeles Lakers are battling for the top seed in the western conference.
Bryant has gotten his wish. Longtime teammate O'Neal is out of town, he has a "new" team that he remains consistently passionate about, and the past is behind him as the award for most valuable player lurks among us. Kobe's L.A. Lakers are currently 54-25 in the western conference standings, trailing only New Orleans. He's averaging nearly 29 points a game, which is second best in the entire league, but has maintained the ability to find productive ways to distribute the ball. He has become a classic example of a player that makes his teammates better. Since the dynasty in Los Angeles ended, following three NBA Championships (1999-2002), the Lakers were victims of several disappointing seasons that led to early playoff exits.But it's different this season. The Lakers made a monumental trade mid-way through the season, acquiring All-Star Spaniard Gasol to complemenr lengthy forward Lamar Odom.
Truth is, this is Bryant's first legitimate opportunity to accomplish what many said was impossible after O'Neal left for Miami: to win a championship without him. He has transcended his game to reach an entirely different level; a level that few have been able to match. The true question that lies with the voters in this year's MVP race is whether it's enough. Many place Bryant in an "all-time best player" category, but mildly pass by his name when the abbreviation "MVP" arises. Why? His name is Chris Paul.
That was then, but this is now. Kobe has his hall-of-fame coach Phil Jackson back, another dominate big-man in Pau Gasol, and his Los Angeles Lakers are battling for the top seed in the western conference.
Bryant has gotten his wish. Longtime teammate O'Neal is out of town, he has a "new" team that he remains consistently passionate about, and the past is behind him as the award for most valuable player lurks among us. Kobe's L.A. Lakers are currently 54-25 in the western conference standings, trailing only New Orleans. He's averaging nearly 29 points a game, which is second best in the entire league, but has maintained the ability to find productive ways to distribute the ball. He has become a classic example of a player that makes his teammates better. Since the dynasty in Los Angeles ended, following three NBA Championships (1999-2002), the Lakers were victims of several disappointing seasons that led to early playoff exits.But it's different this season. The Lakers made a monumental trade mid-way through the season, acquiring All-Star Spaniard Gasol to complemenr lengthy forward Lamar Odom.
Truth is, this is Bryant's first legitimate opportunity to accomplish what many said was impossible after O'Neal left for Miami: to win a championship without him. He has transcended his game to reach an entirely different level; a level that few have been able to match. The true question that lies with the voters in this year's MVP race is whether it's enough. Many place Bryant in an "all-time best player" category, but mildly pass by his name when the abbreviation "MVP" arises. Why? His name is Chris Paul.
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