MVP!!! MVP!!!

Some people hate him, some people adore him. They boo him for what he did or did not do in Colorado, yet people chant "MVP" because of how talented he is. They criticize him for hogging the ball, but even Allan Iverson admited he was calling everyone he knew to tell them to turn on their TV's and watch Kobe go for 81. He is an enigma in the NBA, yet there is something about the man that amazes me when I watch him play.

As a fan of the Lakers, through the good times and bad, I have watched in awe as Kobe just improves his game every year. I believe this is his best year yet, not because of the 81 points, not because of his scoring title, it is because he is finally coming to grips as to who he is supposed to be. He will never be the same wholesome guy he used to be, he's okay with that. He will never get the hearts of every fan, he's fine with that. He trains, plays, and lives to be great. And because of that he is inspiring those around him.

As a teacher, colleagues are suprised that given his indiscretions, his character flaws, I still cheer for the guy. To be honest, the thought of hating the guy never even crossed my mind. He made a mistake. The legal system said he was not to blame. He did something that most people (Look at ENRON) are not man enogh to do. He admitted he was wrong. People crucified him for this, for me, this made him into a man. As a wise man once said, "He who has no sins throw the first stone." I've been too busy ducking!

If you have not had the chance to see the Lakers play against the suns you are missing the start of a new era. Young, inexperienced players coming to their own, playing as a team. Learning from the tutelage of Phil Jackson, and inspired by Kobe, no matter what the result of the playoffs is, the Lakers (and Kobe of course) is nearing another era of greatness.