LA Laker's Kobe Bryant has accomplished a lot during his soon-to-be 19 seasons in the NBA. Earlier this year, some analysts expressed doubt if Bryant, who was accused of rank a decade ago, has what it takes to carry the Lakers all the way to a championship. Now, recent reports suggest Bryant's performance is surprising everyone, even himself.
During his time in the NBA, Bryant has received such honors as: 2008's MVP, multiple years of making the NBA All-star team and -- not to mention -- he led the Lakers to several championships.
As impressive is that is, Bryant is getting up there in age, and that never spells success for a professional athlete. Also, some might think his involvement in the infamous rape scandal has had a lasting affect on Kobe's game.
Moreover, Bryant and the Lakers are constantly under the thumb of sports analysts and professionals. According to the LA Times, an analyst for ABC/ESPN had plenty to say concerning Bryant and the Lakers position in the upcoming season:
"He's going to have to be aggressive and efficient and really hit home runs every night, because around them they just don't have the level of talent that the Laker fans are used to seeing... And the Lakers have had [success] for their whole history. So what they're going through now is what most teams go through, a lot of these struggles to find a roster that is capable of competing for a championship or to get into the playoffs. This is not unusual. It's just unusual for the Lakers."
This is quite a heavy verdict to be issued, and apparently Kobe has a different stance on what this season will look like. According to Yahoo Sports, Kobe has really stepped up this year:
"And yet for all the frustration that comes with the decaying of the franchise's infrastructure, the start to Bryant's 19th NBA season has been a monument to his resolve and resourcefulness. When everyone expected to see a shell of a superstar, they've witnessed his regeneration.' Kobe reportedly added, 'A knee fracture, an Achilles' injury and old age -- nobody expected me to be moving the way that I am right now...To an extent, I didn't either. But I've done a lot of work. It's a puzzle that there's no example for. We're trying to figure this thing out on the fly.'"
What do you think? Has Kobe been through too much? Is his time in the limelight over? Or, will his determination and focus take the Lakers to the top?
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