There have been many discussion, debates, arguments, and fights over who the best player in the game is. Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Dwight Howard, and on and on. Also, there has been much talk about Kobe not being able to win a title without his trusted source, Shaquille O'neal, which he has finally buried in the ground.

As I watched the Los Angeles Lakers win their 15th title and Kobe count on four fingers his four championships, I thought to myself, although many people are like me, have a bit of a dislike of Kobe Bryant for his Mike Jordan patterned game, talk, walk, life, basketball love, desire, killer instinct, and everything except the dark skin and bald head, you have to appreciate his basketball game and ability.

If anyone did not count him a winner because he played on a stacked team with Shaq, they have to agree that this 2009 team was not exactly stacked. Yeah Gasol is good, yeah they look better than other teams they played; but isn't it because Kobe makes his teammates better?

Is the best ever now?  I would not quite go there; although I would entertain a debate about him entering the top 7 of all time.  The best part of this is that Shaq can't make the same rap he made last year about Kobe not being able to do it without him.  Kobe is truly a winner and proved it last night with his championship against the lowly but very good Orlando Magic.

Due Daniels