Classic Kobe as Lakers Comeback to Beat Blazers

Is there any doubt that Kobe Bryant is the best player on the planet?

You can miss me with all the LeBron love. His game is sick but all those stats and highlights mean nothing if you’re not doing them with the game on the line.

This is simply what separates KB24 from the rest. He routinely saves his best for last. And in case you missed it he did it again last night against Portland.

In a game that had all the makings of another lackluster loss, Kobe took the contest by the horns and left his indelible mark on the game. It was all on display as Mamba made tough shot after tough shot all the while imposing his will on the beaten Blazers.

You can almost set your watch to a Portland meltdown against the Lake Show. Last time in Rip City the Blazers seemingly had the game in hand until you know who started to work his magic.

Not to ever be forgotten, D-Fish hit a huge shot last in last night’s contest too.

Beyond the scowl and the clutch shots is the underlying message Bryant was bent on delivering. There is a chance these two teams will meet in the playoffs. Don’t think for a second this wasn’t on Kobe’s mind all day long leading up to the opening tip. He wanted to let the Blazers know that no lead is safe and you can’t ever relax as long as he’s on the court.

Being able to feel the importance of the moment and then making it his is what puts Bryant in a class all his own. Problem is we see it so often that when it doesn’t happen (most recently in Miami) we’re shocked. But when the King of Clutch lives up to the hype, is it clearly taken for granted.

Such is the nature of the game’s least respected superstar. If King James had one moment like Kobe did last night we’d be unable to escape all the discussion ad nauseam on the major media outlets.

Of course that’s just fine for Kobe. He’s not concerned with YouTube views. This is all about the bling. Bryant has always been more obsessed with his ring collection than his Q rating.