The “will to win”, is like a disease.  The only cure for the “will to win” is to win.  If the “will to win” is a disease, Kobe Bryant, of the Los Angeles Lakers, is infested with it – full-blown.

Last season, Bryant did a radio tour and had interviews in which he expressed his displeasure with the organization and wanted to be traded.  Bryant was upset with the organization because they promised him they would rebuild around him now, but make no serious attempt to do so.  Bryant loves the city of Los Angeles and his teammates, but he said he would play on “Pluto”.    Bryant probably can’t go out of space, but plays like he’s from there.

               Throughout Bryant career, he was labeled as an arrogant, selfish person.  Bryant did not like to get his team involved because of the lack of confidence he had in them.        
 
   After playing with the U.S.A. team last summer, Bryant calmed down and focused on the upcoming season.  For Bryant to satisfy his “will”, he knew he had to trust his teammates and work with what he had.  Bryant realized he truly has talented players around him and if he could get them involved, early and often, the team could compete.  The Lakers were quietly one of the best teams in the western conference this season and when C Andruw Bynum went down, eventually for the season, Bryant went into another gear, but never wavered from his newly found leadership duties.  When the organization got rid of some dead weight and brought in C/F Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies, Bryant was finally relieved.  With Gasol in the line-up and the players playing their role, the cure for the “will to win”, was clearly in Bryant’s sight.

          
      Bryant’s “will”, is like no other in the NBA because it consumes him and no one person can stop him.  No matter who is guarding Bryant or how teams prepare for him, he can still get his shots because of his shooting and driving abilities.  On defense, Bryant will guard the opponent’s best player and be successful.  Bryant take things personal when he does something wrong, but he make amends.  If Bryant’s teammates make a miscue or come up short, he –now- keeps them motivated and involved so they won’t lose confidence.  The thing that did not change is Bryant’s “will” to take over a game when it’s in reach.  Bryant is the only player in the NBA, on a consistent basis, who can “will” his team to a victory- especially in the 4^th quarter.   

       
         For Bryant to lead the Lakers to the Finals is good news and bad news.  The good news is Bryant has proven he could lead his team to a title without Shaq, be a leader, have players interested in playing with him (the Lakers do have money), and endorsements will now chase him down.  The bad news is  for the league is Bryant is almost 30, but not in his prime.  The Lakers will once again dominant the western conference and perhaps the league for the next couple of years. 

           
     If someone would have told Bryant that if he changed his ways on the court and towards his teammates, he could turn the Lakers around in one year, would he have done it?  We don’t know, but what we do know is that Bryant is a new man and the Lakers are back in the spotlight.

Written By Barry Barnes