Kobe is still the most valuable player in the league. He is a clutch scorer. That trumps everything.
Kobe is not the best player. Lebron is a better player in terms of playing both sides of the ball. Lebron is a better rebounder, passer and defender. Too much focus is put on scoring.
Kobe does not have 4 years of this level of play. He will be 32 by next season. He is already slower than he was 2 years ago. His injuries and inability to heal quickly will become more evident.
Kobe has been Defended better this year than any previous year. Kobe is ripped and blocked in every game he plays. Kobe stands around on Defense nearly every trip down court. I'm not knocking Kobe. I just see the Father time is in Kobe's ear.
Pau Gasol is the #1 reason the Lakers are the team to beat in the NBA. I cant think of 3 big men that I would rather have on my team.
Gasol, Dirk, D. Howard
Bosh, Amare, A. Jefferson, David lee, Mehmet Okur, Odom, Bynum, Okafor, Chandler, Shaq, Duncan, Garnett, Nene, Joakim, K.Perkins, ???
Kobe is still the engine that drives the Laker's success. Kobe is better than Pierce, Melo and Wade. Not putting Lebron is this statement.
Still, if you partner Gasol with Lebron, Melo or Wade, then I will expect to see those teams in the NBA finals too.
If you put Kobe on the Cavs, Nuggets or Heat, then those teams would be watching the NBA finals like the rest of us.