And if the Kobe haters and Kobe critics think that's a bad thing, well then let me have a Kobe Bryant on my team any day of the week. This is just misdirected envy.
Bryant has already sealed his place in the annals of NBA history as one of the greatest to ever play the game.
But this is Kobe Bryant we're talking about here, and that's just not enough. He wants more—he wants a piece of MJ's legendary regal status as the ONE.
Kobe wants a sixth championship ring (or more). All the other accolades can just wait their turn.
After passing former Lakers teammate Shaquille O'Neal in March for fifth place on the NBA's all time scoring list (over 29,000 points and counting), Bryant said he was honored. "I've been very, very fortunate to have such a good career," Kobe said to ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin.
After the game, which the Lakers lost to Philadelphia, Bryant said what was really on his mind: "I just want No. 6, man. I'm not asking for too much, man. Just give me a sixth ring, damn it."
Bryant has already written a brilliant legacy over 16 seasons. The sure-to-be first ballot unanimous Hall of Fame inductee has won five world championships, scored 29,484 points, had 14 All-Star appearances and a well deserved long-standing reputation as the game's best closer.
Bryant's stunning point total is exceeded only by Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who finished his 20-year career with 38,387.
If you watched the Lakers dismantle Denver 103-88 yesterday in their first playoff game, what you would have noticed was Playoff-Ready Bryant in action. Yes, he led all scorers with 31 points on 10-of-24 shooting, but it was the way those points came about and Kobe's willingness to trust his t...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
