Author: Danielle Christopher
The Los Angeles Lakers (52-18) currently have the best record in the Western Conference and the second best record in the NBA, behind the Cleveland Cavaliers. Although every Laker has aided in the team’s success this year, shooting guard Kobe Bryant’s unparalleled skill under pressure has been a key factor in countless Laker victories.
The Lakers are having an exceptional season, especially considering all the injuries that have plagued the team this year. Injuries befell almost every player this season, but the most critical were those inflicted upon Bryant. He suffered numerous injuries, including a fractured index finger, back spasms and a sprained left ankle.
Despite experiencing incredible pain most of the season, he played through every injury until he twisted his ankle. The ankle injury caused him to miss five regular season games and the All-Star game in mid-February.
Bryant’s presence was especially missed during the Feb. 18 loss to long-time rival, the Boston Celtics, in which the Lakers failed to hit a game-winning shot with 2.2 seconds left.
Though the Lakers have exceptional depth and obvious talent, the key to the Lakers’ success has been Byrant’s clutch performance during the final moments of critical games. This season alone, he has made six game-winning shots, three of them buzzer beaters.
Bryant’s leadership and skill have played significant roles in boosting team morale after the Lakers went 0-3 on a road trip earlier this month.
Though it was both disappointing and embarrassing, the losses grounded the team, reminding the players that they will have to work if they wish to defend their title as world champions. Kobe, in particular, focused his energy on leading his team to victory, as seen during the March 9 game against the Toronto Raptors.
Bryant’s exceptional skill and leadership, along with his impressive statistics this season, make him an excellent candidate for MVP, but by no means will it be an easy race.
The most favored candidate at the moment is LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who currently averages the most points per game (29.7), as well as averaging seven rebounds and over eight assists per game.
Another strong candidate for MVP is the Oklahoma City Thunder’s sophomore star Kevin Durant, who averages 29.5 points per game. With the exceptional performances of two of the NBA’s biggest superstars, and Durant in his second year in the NBA, the race to MVP will undoubtedly be exciting.
As the 2009-2010 NBA season comes to a close, the Lakers are preparing for the playoffs, where they will face tough competition from the best teams this year. The Lakers need to up their intensity, especially during the fourth quarter, if they wish to defend their title as world champions.
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