30 Grand

Since coming into the league in 1996 Kobe Bryant was determined to prove the doubters’ wrong that another high school player can make it in the NBA like Kevin Garnett did. Bryant wasn’t shy about becoming a great player since the age of 17. Former Lakers thought he was young and cocky but they saw something in him that many young players didn’t have; that was hunger. Here we are today celebrating the player they call “The Black Mamba” for scoring 30,000 points. That is no small feat to accomplish. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and so much talent to get there.

Bryant greatness was always was solidified with his championships, All-Star appearances, Finals MVP’s and league MVP awards. He was meant to be great because he wanted it so bad so scoring 30,000 points was always on his mind to accomplish and now it’s on his resume. This day in age the word clutch has been the focus of discussion on how we determine if a player is great; well Bryant is definitely that. This man wants the ball in his hand at mostly every possession of the game and wanting to take the last shot to win a game as well. That’s not taught, it’s either in you or not. That simple!

Winning five championships isn’t an easy task as well and it doesn’t matter what many say that Shaq won most of those titles for Kobe. I say Shaq had a lot to do with those rings but it takes another superstar to bring you to the promise land and Bryant was that. Now Bryant is the fifth player in history to reach this ungodly number of points and now we’ll see if he can still can stay healthy and stay in the league longer to become the number one scorer in NBA history.

I think that Kobe can get there but the question that everyone wants to know if Lakers will win another title with Bryant on the team. I say no and being straight forward with it. The reason is because you have teams in OKC, Spurs and Memphis that the Lakers have to beat out in the playoffs and I just don’t see that happening anytime soon. These teams are young and have something to prove. Let’s not forget that Kobe Bryant isn’t a spring chicken at the age of 34. That’s not old but being in the league for 17 seasons will put more years on your career. I’m still thinking how Kobe scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in 2006. Who the hell let’s anyone score that many points. That’s the Black Mamba for you! Where do you think Bryant legacy will be when it’s all said and done?