When the Lakers traded Shaquille O'Neal in 2004, it was widely rumored that the personal rift between Shaq and Kobe Bryant was the reason for the split.  Many, including myself, felt that Kobe badly wanted to win but that he had the need to win in such a way that he received the glory.  With Shaq around, any glory that the Lakers won would fall on him first before trickling to Kobe, and I wondered if Kobe had chosen to go for glory without Shaq at the expense of possibly winning more titles with him.  When Shaq went on to challenge for MVP in 2005, then to win a title next to Dwyane Wade in 2006, it appeared that Kobe was on the losing side of the exchange.  After 2007, when Kobe was trying to force his way out of LA, it appeared that he had hit NBA rock bottom.

But then, suddenly, Andrew Bynum starts to grow up and the Lakers look competitive.  Then, a great trade for Pau Gasol leaves the Lakers with one of the most talented teams in the NBA.  When building around a superstar, any team is always just one or two good moves away from title contention.  And for awhile it appeared that 2008 was Kobe's year, as he made a late surge to win the regular season MVP and the Lakers were steam rolling the competition in the playoffs.  Alas, 2008 was the year for another superstar to lead his team to glory, and Kobe was forced to watch the Celtics celebrate after detonating the Lakers in the series finale. 

From then on, though, Kobe has seemed to lead a charmed life.  The Olympics were a PR firestorm for him, and in helping the U.S. bring home gold again Kobe earned back the last of the good will that he had last several years ago in Colorado.  Once the season began, Kobe helped keep the Lakers at the top of the standings while his competition wilted away due to various injuries.  Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Kevin Garnett...none of them could make it to the finish line this season.  LeBron James' team was built to be challenging to the Celtics and Lakers...but they were absolutely not built to beat the Magic.  And on the biggest stage, Kobe's team was stronger, tougher, and just...better than the Magic.  Resiliency and toughness are just as important as talent when it comes to winning titles, and a little luck never hurts either.  Kobe and his Lakers found that right mix of all four, and are this season's NBA champions.

So, where does that leave Kobe and his legacy?  First of all, in winning this title Kobe has won his gamble.  Had he never won another title without Shaq, there is a chance that Kobe would have been historically remembered as Scottie Pippen.  Now, much like Kevin Garnett last season forever separated himself from the Karl Malones and Charles Barkleys of the world, Kobe has put a floor on his legacy that separates himself from the Pippens and Clyde Drexlers of the world.  In winning both a regular season and Finals MVP in his career, Kobe joins an extremely exclusive club that features Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Moses Malone, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal, and Tim Duncan.  And because Kobe has now led the Lakers to a title as the "man", it opens the door for the first three titles he won to be included under his historical umbrella as well.

All in all, it has been a great year for Mr. Bryant.  I'm still not a fan.  I still don't think he is as good as his reputation, and if you catch me in the future I will gladly argue my case with you.  But for right now, Kobe is on top of the basketball world.  So, all I can say is congratulations, and I can't wait to see how everything plays out next year.