Lakers wins championship, redemption time for Mr.Bryant

For the past 5 years, Kobe Bryant had to live a basketball life through criticisms. Shaq already won a championship with Wade, Phil Jackson called him uncoachable, they missed the playoff once, got booted out in the first round twice and got their butts kicked by the Celtics in the finals last year.

Kobe doesn’t have to live with that anymore.

Kobe and the Lakers delivered the knock out blow last night at the Amway Arena to give the Los Angeles franchise their 15th Championship overall, their 4th in the last 10 years, Kobe’s 1st title without Shaq and Phil Action Jackson’s record setting 10 championships.

Though it was definitely Kobe’s team this year, this wasn’t about Kobe Bryant the individual..

.. it was about Kobe Bryant the leader.

In the press conference (Kudos to BTV for showing the press con) Phil talked about the development of Kobe Bryant’s evolution from a so called “selfish” player to one of the best leaders in today’s basketball.

“I’m ready to be a captain now,” Kobe said.

“But no one is ready to follow you,” Jackson replied.

But that all has changed.

Kobe has now won a champion with his team. No more Shaquille O’Neal to hold on to, no more selfish teammates remarks, it all ended with one series, a series where in he averaged 32 PPG 6 RPG and 7 APG to win the 2009 Finals MVP.

“I don’t have to hear that criticism, that idiotic criticism anymore,” said Bryant, the finals MVP. “It was annoying.”.

Kobe wasn’t always the easiest teammate to play with, but that’s because he demands everybody on his team to play at the level of his game.

Why do you think Derek Fisher got along with him just fine? Derek Fisher is far from a Chauncey Billups or a Chris Paul or even a Mo Williams but Kobe wasn’t talking about how he wanted a “better” point guard.

Kobe and Fisher got along fine because Derek Fisher matches the level of competitiveness that Kobe brings on the floor. While Fisher may not be the fastest, most athletic and streakiest point guard out there, Derek Fisher actually competes night in and night out. And that’s what Kobe Bryant wants, that’s what he needs.

As Jeff Van Gundy said in the game last night (Paraphrased), the issue between Kobe and his teammates were more about his former teammates than him.

Take for example Team USA. You’ll be amazed at how Kobe’s teammates reacts to his work ethic and leadership. You see how LeBron, Melo, Wade and Howard upped their game right after their team USA stint?

You can put the blame on Kobe.

And now that Jerry Buss and the LA franchise got him a team that can win it all, his old point guard, a good wingman and a “Spaniard” as Kobe would put it, he proved to everyone that he can pull everyone together.

When Pau was in Memphis, do you think he would’ve sacrificed his body to get a charge on a 290 pound of pure muscle in Dwight Howard just to get a stop?

Right now, I can’t hear any “soft” comments from Pau’s critics.

Do you see how Trevor Ariza elevated his game to another level? Often diving for looseballs, intercepting passes and making crucial defensive stops?

I didn’t see that when he was playing for New York and Orlando.

It all starts with playing with Kobe. The level of competitiveness that he brings on the floor is MJ-like (As much as I would hate to compare) and it sure shows off with the way his teammates are playing.

After learning to give to get back in return, Kobe can now savor the moment that he has earned by giving. A title without a 300 pound monkey on your back and a zip lock on all of the critics’ mouths.