It's Time for Kobe Bryant to Step Up for Los Angeles Lakers

If Kobe Bryant were to stop playing today, I don't think that he would leave the game as a bona fide NBA legend. Sure, he is closest reincarnation to Michael Jordan, has won 3 championships, and scored 81 points in one game.

But since the best center of the last 15 years left his side, Kobe Bryant has done virtually nothing of any significance in relation to playing winning basketball. And isn't that what it is all about?

In the past 3 seasons since Shaquille O'Neal left, he hasn't carried his team to top four finish in the Western Conference. He hasn't won a playoff series. And for those of you who say that all that has to do with is his supporting cast, I respond to you by saying that he has yet to have won an MVP, and that has nothing to do with his teammates. I've seen Allen Iverson win an MVP with players whose names you won't remember 5 years from now...if you remember then at this moment!

However, the good teammates/bad teammates debate is over. He has a squad now. With the Los Angeles Lakers acquiring Pau Gasol and his 19 points per game, he now has a formidable team that can be considered to be the best in the Western Conference. It was not too long ago that the Lakers were in first place with Andrew Bynum. So upon Mr. Bynum's return, and barring any ill effects from his injury, a starting lineup that includes Bryan, Bynum, Gasol, and Lamar Odom is right up there "Big Three" of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce.

That's right! I said it!

I know all of the Celtics "Big Three" have been all-stars for the better part of their careers and that none of those Lakers, other than Kobe, have been there more than once. But Gasol certainly has All-Star potential, and he just hasn't made it there but the one time mainly due to injuries and the fact that a guy from Memphis is rarely going to get enough votes. You can't tell me that Bynum is not a budding All-Star, and would probably be in the game if it weren't for his injury. Lastly, Lamar Odom may not be an All-Star caliber player, but he certainly is on that next tier of the severely talented.

So what will Kobe do with his newfound wealth?

He had better win!