Lakers Must Improve to Keep Kobe Bryant

This was something most analysts predicted and fans expected, but it seemed surreal when it happened. "The torch has been passed," TNT Analyst Reggie Miller said, and many would tend to agree with him. That implies Los Angeles Lakers run with Kobe Bryant was over and the Oklahoma City Thunder are the top dogs in the Western Conference. The game had a movie-like feel to it. Kobe goes off one last time, not only on the Oklahoma City Thunder, but on father time himself. His 16 seasons in the NBA have taken their toll, but he wanted to try an lead his team to a Game 5 win to put off the inevitable. Bryant has led the Lakers into many battles before and he led them again on Monday night. He put the Lakers on his back, but the young Thunder were too much and the future hall of famer couldn’t do it alone.


Now, media all across the country is speculating what the future holds for the Los Angeles Lakers. Should they blow up the team and start fresh or should they try to add a piece or two to help return to the promised land? I believe if the Lakers do not improve in the offseason with trades and/or free agents, that Kobe Bryant will demand a trade. He wants to be the best and still has enough in the tank to lead a team. Bryant just wants to win championships. He understands the clock is ticking on his career and if that means going to play somewhere else to make one or two more title runs, I believe he is willing to do so.

During the game it became obvious that Bryant was frustrated with his teammates. He yelled at them, tried to motivate them, but nothing worked. The Black Mamba was playing with two 7-footers who lacked the aggressiveness and killer instinct that Bryant posseses. Kobe plays with more drive and will to win then any other player in the league today, a skill that his teammates lack . If that doesn’t change in soon, expect Kobe Bryant to be in a different uniform by the start of next season.

Kobe Bryant looks on as the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate
making the Western Conference Finals
for the second straight season.