Last night, Kobe Bryant put up the most impressive stat of the year, maybe even of his whole career (except for his 81 point game). In the decisive 4th quarter against the Jazz, in the pivotal game 5, with the season hanging in the balance, Kobe shot 0 for 0 from the floor. That's right, in the most important quarter of the most important game of the season, Kobe didn't take a field goal. And the Lakers won!
The Lakers won because Kobe put the ultimate faith in his teammates, trusting them to make the big shots, and they rewarded him with a victory. He even kept passing to Sasha who was a miserable 1 for 11 from the field. Sasha kept shooting because he knew Kobe (and Phil Jackson) trusted him. Sasha will bounce back from his off night whereas in the past, he would have wilted into the background for the rest of the season. Trust breathes life into people. Last night, Kobe was the team's lungs.
The only player who can stop Kobe, is Kobe (sorry Ruben Patterson). When your body is so physically gifted, and you can do more than anyone else, it's so tempting to do more than even you can do. Think of the Lakers disappointing overtime loss in Game 4. When Kobe plays within himself, when he doesn't stop himself, he's an unstoppable force - even if that means taking no shots and simply creating the space for his teammates to shine. Kobe was as much the MVP in the 4th quarter last night has he ever was throughout the season. As a Laker fan, all I can say is, I hope this lasts!
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