I won't rehash my thoughts on "Kobe making teammates better," since I've written about it on more than one occasion since 2006 and my opinion hasn't changed.  I would, however, like to discuss what I consider the marked difference in Kobe as a leader this season, which is that he now plays like a guy willing to risk losing.  Note, I didn't say "accept" losing.  Big difference, and the latter hardly applies to The New Jack Bauer.  Bar none, he's the most competitive baller the NBA has to offer.  But in order to win, not over the course of one game but an entire season, you can't be afraid to risk losing.  It's just not possible.  For example, I play poker.  And not to dislocate my shoulder patting myself on the back, but I'm fairly good.  I probably won't win the World Series of Poker anytime soon, but I compete regularly against people who work with the WPT and the WSOP (meaning, they gamble a lot), and I more than hold my own.  But I'm not a great player yet, because I struggle with the risk of losing.  I'm still learning how to accept losses as part of the game and to make the right play every time, even when elimination hangs in the balance.  Over the long haul, you end up winning more and, more importantly, establish yourself as a player extremely difficult to bully.  Any poker great will say that fearlessness towards losing is a must if you want to want a World Series bracelet around your wrist. 

The same fearlessness towards losses come with seeing the bigger picture in the NBA.  In order for Kobe to get the most out of his supporting cast (and ultimately rack the most wins), he can't treat each game as if losing is a catastrophic result, even if that's how he really feels.  Too often in the past, his reluctance to put a game in anybody's hands but his own, especially when previous chances weren't immediately fruitful, led to Kobe taking over.  And aside from being unfair to Kobe himself, that's just not practical, nor does it lead to jelling as a unit come playoff time. I think Kobe understands this now.  And in a lot of ways, Kobe always knew this better than anybody, even if he didn't know he did.  That same fearlessness Bryant displays when it comes to putting up a game winning jumper is all about being unafraid to cause a loss by missing.  It's really no different.  What's changed now is that Kobe doesn't seem nearly as resistant about someone else taking that shot, even though it'll inevitably be him nine out of ten times (as well it should be).  His teammates still know they have his endorsement, which means everything to them.

Kobe fans typically bristle at the notion that he's "changed" anything, because along with that acknowledgment comes the acknowledgment that something needed changing.  And since, with all due respect, the Kobe faithful are an oft hyper-sensitive lot, they take that as a bigger criticism than it really is (since it's pretty much a given that since nobody's perfect and people generally do evolve).  Instead, they cite Andrew Bynum, Jordan Farmar, or Sasha Vujacic's improvement and say, "they're better, so Kobe trusts them.  It's that's simple."  But in a rush to "defend Kobe's honor," fans are actually selling short Bryant's pointed efforts, not to mention his effect on teammates.  The quest to present Kobe as Teflon against any criticism robs him of props he's earned and deserves this season.  Yes, it becomes easier for Kobe to play this way while surrounded by guys kicking ass, but it's also easier to kick ass while playing with a leader who believes in your ability.  Obviously, the Laker's 2008 rise hasn't been entirely about Kobe growing as a leader. Factors ranging from Derek Fisher's presence, player improvement and roster changes have played a role.  But for those who don't think that a LOT has to do with a difference in Kobe's demeanor, on the court and in the locker room, I got news for you.  You're fooling yourself.  Everyone from Kobe's teammates to his coaching staff to occasionally Kobe himself has repeated my sentiments.  They can't all just be falling for "media hype." 

Put it this way.  When's the last time you've ever heard someone say, "I've never understood where the idea that Kobe didn't trust teammates or has grown as a leader is coming from, because he's been acting the same way since day one?"  My guess.  You haven't.   

Frankly, instead of shooting down what's so blatantly obvious, Kobe's fans should instead be stoked and focused on the bigger and better:  This is Kobe's year.  As I've said many times on the blog and once or twice while on "The Steve Mason Show," barring either a complete collapse by the Lakers or Kobe drastically changing what he's doing (neither of which I see coming), not only should Kobe be named MVP, I'm convinced he will.  I've felt that way since around mid-November and my opinion hasn't changed.  I know some of y'all refuse to believe the media that "hates" Kobe so much will ever throw some hardware his way.  Maybe it's because I'm around these folks all the time and they don't spend nearly as much time plotting Kobe's demise as you're picturing.  Or maybe I'm just naive to the power of KG and LBJ's persuasion.  But I'm still calling it.  All things remaining equal-ish, Kobe walks away with the gold.  If I'm wrong, I'll have no choice but to own up.  But I have a feeling Laker fans will be spending more time celebrating Kobe's triumph than mocking my prediction come May.

And you can thank his career-high leadership, whether you buy or sell that stat.

AK