After twelve seasons in the league, Kobe Bryant has officially achieved the highest individual award-- the 2007-2008 Maurice Podoloff Trophy as the NBA's Most Valuable Player.The MVP has long eluded Kobe, with a lot of people believing he deserved the awards for the last three years, including MVP candidate LeBron James. Kobe most often failed in the "makes his team better" criteria, something Steve Nash supposedly excelled and something Dirk Nowitzki did last year in Dallas. This year, Kobe has led the Lakers core of Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher and Luke Walton on top of the Western Conference and deep into the NBA Playoffs.
In winning the MVP, Kobe joins the elite group of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Earvin "Magic" Johnson and former teammate Shaquille O'Neal as Los Angeles Lakers who have won the award. (Kareem and Magic won multiple times). You can also add Kobe to the list of players who have won at least three championship rings and an MVP award. That group includes Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Bill Russell and the Spurs' Tim Duncan. The MVP of a dozen years in the making is also proof of the longevity of Bryant's talent and skill.
No doubt, any discussion on NBA greats should definitely include Kobe Bryant, one of the NBA's All-Time Greats.
Tags: Lakers
