How Kobe Gained More with Less

Kobe in Manila
Source: www.silverscreenandroll.com

Kobe- Mania hit the Philippines last July 13. It was so thrilling to see the “Black Mamba” back after four years and how much things have changed since the last time he was here in 2007. Still, what made it more interesting was how Kobe transformed himself into someone even more special for the past years to make all that has just transpired possible.

The Early Years

Kobe Winning the Slam Dunk Title 

Source: www.steelomagazine.tumblr.com

It wasn’t the easiest situation to come in as a 17 year old “High School Phenom” to a loaded team like the Los Angeles Lakers led by arguably, the most dominant force in basketball, Shaquille O’Neal. And it also didn’t help that you are the talk of the town in one of the most popular places in the world, Hollywood. Yet, Kobe Bryant experienced just that when he came in the NBA some 15 years back.

It was a rough rookie season for Kobe who averaged only 7.6 points per outing in his rookie campaign. But it also had highlights that introduced him to the world like winning the MVP in the rookie game and then, dominating the Slam Dunk contest with Brandy as his number one fan. Everyone also saw how confident Kobe was with himself as he took with no hesitation two crucial shots in the ’97 playoffs which he badly missed. In fact, both of those shots hit nothing but air. Still, what was impressive was the fact that he took both of them so confidently.

The following two seasons Kobe had more minutes, more production and became a perennial all- star. LA won games but never had success in the playoffs.

And so, an important change was needed.

The Shaq-Kobe Dynasty

Kobe and Shaq
Source: www.s978photobucket.com

The Lakers hired former Bulls coach Phil Jackson to help the Lakers win championships with Kobe and Shaq as the cornerstones of the team. And with the triangle offense and with better team chemistry, the Lakers did just that. In fact, they won three titles in a row from 2000- 2002. Shaq was named finals MVP in all three championships and Kobe had to settle for being the second guy. Everyone was ecstatic as a dynasty was at hand. But, the big question in everyone’s mind was how long could Kobe eat his pride of being just the second guy?

The End of a Dynasty 

 Kobe Versus Shaq

Source: www.lakers.ocregister.com

Kobe and Shaq had a typical Hollywood relationship. It was full of ups and downs and was heavily loaded with drama. And like any Hollywood relationship, it was bound to end in a not so good way. True enough, it ended as badly as expected. Everyone threw shots at each other and bridges were obviously burned. It was really sad because it started to get sour when they lost to the Spurs in ’03 and to the Pistons in ’04. Winning was the only thing that kept them together and that’s why when they started losing in the playoffs, they also inevitably lost everything. Phil Jackson left after the ’04 season. Karl Malone retired. Then, Shaq Daddy was traded to the Miami Heat. And so, it was Kobe’s team all of a sudden. Regardless of the things that happened from the sexual harassment case to being too much of a ball-hog and a terrible teammate, Kobe was the one chosen to stay.

Monster Numbers... Yet, No Team Success

 Kobe Scores 81

Source: www.ioffer.com

With Kobe now as the main man, he put up MJ- like numbers. The 81 points in one game, 62 points in another and the 35 points per outing average were the obvious proofs of that. In fact, Michael Jordan never scored 81 points in a game. So, without a doubt, Kobe was the best basketball player in the planet, right? Not exactly, because no matter how great he was individually, the team did not go pass the first round. They didn’t even make the playoffs during the ’04- ’05 season after Shaq was traded. In ’05- ’06, they were up 3 games to 1 in the first round of the playoffs against the Suns. But, as we all know, Steve Nash brought his Suns all the way back and blew out the Lakers in game 7. In ’06-’07, the Lakers lost again to the Suns in the 1^st round, this time in 5 games.

And with all those defeats, Kobe became upset and he wanted out.

The Transformation towards Redemption

Ironically, when Kobe began his transformation process, it was also the time when the first Transformers movie came out.:) Anyway, as I have mentioned, Kobe wanted out and the situation was getting worse as he started blasting teammates such as Andrew Bynum whom he said should have been traded for Jason Kidd. Of course, that was very bad for team chemistry. Yet, during that time as well, Kobe played for team USA in the FIBA qualifiers and in a way, it was really a big blessing in disguise for him. Obviously, Kobe started seeing the value of teamwork which he experienced while playing for team USA. That was 2007, and after winning the FIBA qualifiers, he went here to the Philippines for his Nike tour. Everyone loved him but the situation was really different then.

There was too much uncertainty regarding where Kobe would be playing during the ’07- ‘08 season. We also have to remember that he was almost traded to the Bulls for practically all of Chicago’s young guys like Gordon, Hinrich, etc. But then, I think Mr. Mitch Kupchak, GM of the Lakers, didn’t want to go down in history as the guy who traded both Kobe and Shaq. So, in other words, the trade did not push through and Kobe remained with the Lakers.

It was kind of awkward that after all the drama, they all still ended up as teammates. Surprisingly, Kobe’s teammates took pride of all his criticisms and they all came out with something to prove that season. Everyone showed vast improvement and the Lakers started winning games. Of course, as a result, mutual trust among them developed. Kobe started trusting all his teammates as much his teammates started trusting him again. Team chemistry boomed big time and the Lakers were back. Then, a late Christmas gift for the Lakers came in February when they acquired Pau Gasol from the Grizzlies in exchange for the draft rights of Pau’s brother Marc and the disappointing Kwame Brown. All of a sudden, the Lakers went from being a very good team to being a legitimate championship contender. And though they lost to the Celtics in the finals of that season, everyone knew that the Lakers led by Kobe would eventually win one.

The Lakers

Source: www.europebasketball.net

And they did. They even won two. They defeated the Magic in ’09. Kobe was named MVP and it was his first championship without Shaq. Then in 2010, they did it again when they defeated the Celtics in seven games after coming back from a 3-2 deficit. Kobe was again named the MVP and he got his fifth championship overall.

Team USA Winning Gold

Source: www.marclamonthill.com

What was so special was on how Kobe did it. Let us also not forget that before the ’08-’09 season, Kobe led the “Redeem Team” to Gold when they defeated Spain in the finals of the Olympics. Kobe decided not to dominate because he learned how to put his TEAM first before himself. This major change within himself helped him lead his Lakers to two championships. Guys like Derek Fisher, Shannon Brown, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza in ’09 and Ron Artest in ’10 all made big plays that made their championship dreams into reality. And it was all because Kobe trusted them and he did not try to do it all by himself.

Yes, a Dallas fan might say, “Well, the Lakers just got swept this past season by the Mavs. So, there is no point for all these Kobe stuff, right?” Well, wrong! Yes, the Lakers were defeated by a hungrier and probably, a deeper Mavs team. But I’m sure that the Black Mamba and his Lakers aren’t quite done yet. And this is coming from a guy who is not even a Lakers fan.

All of us here in Manila wanted to see Kobe in person. Lucky for those who did see him. Better luck next time for those who didn’t. But I think more than seeing him in person, what we should really see is how much this brash kid from Philadelphia grew up in front of our eyes and developed and matured into a truly “Strong Man”. And this is the very reason why he is hands down the greatest basketball player that this generation has seen. He faced all the ups and downs head on, transformed himself, and came out a better man. All I can say is THANK YOU MR. KOBE “BLACK MAMBA’ BRYANT FOR SHOWING US HOW TO TRULY BE STRONG AND HOW TO GAIN MORE WITH LESS.:)