He is still the best basketball player in the world. Now, with his facemask, Kobe Bryant is getting better.
Wearing the mask to protect his broken nose suffered in the All-Star when Dwayne Wade’s arm hit Bryant’s face, the 33-year old and 16-year NBA veteran doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
This year alone, the star Lakers’ guard has played through a broken wrist, concussion and the broken nose in addition to all those miles his body has absorbed throughout the years.
In the past three games Bryant has worn the mask, he has 31 against Minnesota, 38 (Sacramento) and 33 (Miami). Versus the Heat on Sunday, Bryant was awesome – Jordanesque.
Playing 39 of the 48 minutes, Bryant went 14-23 from the field, dropping 33 points and leading the Lakers to get the win over one of the true finals contenders.
Bryant hit 8-10 (18 points) in the first quarter, which was simply dynamic. The masked star was well defended by Wade, at times LeBron and Shane Battier, however it wasn’t enough.
Even with slaps to the face while releasing the ball, amazing fading-away shots and a hand up against his, Bryant hit almost everything he threw up.
The victory over the Heat was one of the best, if not the best, wins for the season, not only because it was against Miami but the way in which the team gelled. Meta World Peace was outstanding and Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum contributed big with a lack of Heat talls as Chris Bosh sat on the sidelines.
What is it with these facemasks though? Kobe, the leagues leading scorer, has been unstoppable with his mask, akin to Rip Hamilton in the 2003-04 championship-winning season.
Rip made the mask his trademark when playing with the Detroit Pistons – a mask he came to call is his “superman cape.”
Don’t expect to see Kobe wearing the mask for one minute longer than required though as he said, “It’s too hot in this thing.”
The mask may be hot, but so is Kobe’s game. He’s the best in the business in a league full of young guns such as Rose and Durant.
I recommend you watch the Lakers v Heat game and take in what an unbelievable player Bryant is. I am a passionate basketball player, fan and Lakers supporter yet am constantly amazed by what he is able to do.
LeBron and Durant may have the votes so far for the MVP award, however, I’m with the Los Angeles crowd when Bryant walks to the free-throw line shouting, “MVP, MVP, MVP.”
mushi
Guest
They were discussing the players at the moment. But even if you are saying they have to be historically good I can not see anyone putting Wade in the Jordan, Kobe, Roberston, West category nor Durant as of right now being talked about alongside Erving and Bird nor is anyone going to seriously think Rose is on the same level as Magic Johnson. By the way Howard can definitely be put ahead of Ewing and Robinson on his defence alone.
traread
Guest
Howard is a different story. He is clearly the most dominant Center in the NBA at this point in time. But if you look at the likes of Kobe, LeBron, Rose & Wade. When their careers are said and done, they will stack up against the top echelon in their positions in "best ever" conversations. Whilst Dwight will not. He may be the most dominant Center in the NBA but he doesn't have the moves or skills to be talked in the same breath as Kareem, Russell, Wilt, Shaq, Hakeem, Ewing and Robinson.
mushi
Guest
Care to explain why not? To leave Howard out of the top 5 players is an oversight to say he doesn’t belong in the same sentence as those guys well that is just laughable. Howard is clearly the best big man in the NBA, second in MVP voting last year (and top 5 the last four years) and three peat defensive player of the year (he won’t win this year because journalists prefer a story despite him still clearly being the most dominant player on that end of the court) whilst being a 20ppg scorer. His team is a shambolic mess with no real defenders and no “quality” starter and yet every year he gets them into the play offs and has them as one of the most feared defensive teams. If Otis smith hadn't died 5 years ago and they weren't now running the franchsie weekend at Bernies style he would ahve a few more finals trips to his name I'm sure. With paul the case is less cut and dried for top 5 but he's defintiely on that top tier. I’d give Paul the edge over Rose in the best point guard right now I think Rose is a better scorer by a long way but as a guy to run an offense it is Paul that is the better player. The big separating feature for me is again defence (which apparently is meaningless to you if you’re disregarding Howard) and whilst rose has improved beyond being a matador he isn’t in Paul’s class despite better physical tools. Also Paul run teams apparently typically have amongst the best clutch stats in the NBA because he is one of the few superstars who gets that playing 5 on 5 is better than 1 on 5.
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
hear, hear!
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
Paul and Howard aren't in the same sentense.
mushi
Guest
Should Kobe be on the MVP list – yep he’s playing much better than expected this year or of any player his age other than some guy who apparently was a better palyer than GM– but any vote at this point that doesn’t have LeBron as #1 is either completely ignoring the criteria or has a subjective bias after the decision that should rule them ineligible from voting on the award. You can’t take into account prior years otherwise it would be the rolling average MVP or life time achievement award or some other fictitious creation. Also what were all the other MVP candidates stats in the finals last year on zero games? Dirk should be the only player that could garner a vote under that logic and every year we just give the preceding years finals MVP the award. Also seems odd that the guy that won the MVP award last year got erased from the playoffs by a guy who apparently can’t play in elimination games and yet there is limited outrage? LeBron is in the midst of a regular season that statistically rivals the best offered by Jordan not his average – his best. He’s also doing this whilst also grading out as one of the best one on one defenders in the league according to synergy sports. The guy is posting a ridiculous 62.3% on true shooting whilst being a volume shooter nabbing 28 points, rebounding like a power forward and dishing dimes like a point guard. This is LeBron's best ever season so it seems very odd to me that he isn't the hands down choice given he's won playing worse when Kobe was playing better than right now.
mushi
Guest
What about Howard and Paul?
Josh Ryan
Guest
It amazes me that there are actually people who don't think that Kobe without question should win MVP this season. I understand Kobe takes a lot of shots to get to the numbers he does, but he continues to make shots that are not possible for most other players. What really makes Kobe so remarkable and arguably the greatest NBA player ever, is how he continues to be so dominant despite injuries that would sideline or at the very least greatly impair any other player's game. Not only do these injuries NOT slow him down, but he actually plays better. Say what you will about Kobe, but no one is more determined and willing to play through anything and win than he is. While Lebron is certainly the most athletic player in the league, he IMO should not even be in the MVP conversation until he proves that he can step up in the final moments when it really counts. I would vote for Durant way before Lebron. While Kobe is clearly not at his physical peak, he has the heart of a lion and simply can't be stopped. This is Kobe's year all the way!
Samuel Candido
Roar Rookie
He put D-Wade in his place in this game, still a great 2, but I think he's slipping slightly - understandably.
JS-M
Guest
I believe Kobe for all his greatness now sits behind Lebron and Durant and alongside Wade and Rose (who is on the rise). Keep the NBA articles coming. All the best.
Jables
Guest
Lebron and Durant are better than Kobe, Lebron has been for years despite all the hate for him. WIth all due respect only a lakers fan would call him the best. Rose is a level below at the moment even though I'm a bulls fan, I think he just said he and Paul were the only ones with the same drive as him.
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
Kobe knows or believes he is. The game meant a lot as it was the big clash of the NBA televised Sunday showcase. In terms of competitive spirit and intensity, he recently said that Rose is the only player near him. He schooled Battier and Batts is a vg defensive player. Kobe is posting more this season also and he is exceptional at it.
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
Haha who knows what Ron Artest will ever do?!
stam
Roar Rookie
Not sure if that's your headline but I don't think even kobe would call himself the best anymore. But that's what makes him amazing IMO, how much his game has changed as age catches him is what puts him up there with Jordan, that and his rings!
peeeko
Roar Guru
Kobe is certainly still awesome but when is that tool Ron Artest going to change his name back?