Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Kick It Up a Notch at Playoff Time

Champions are noted for kicking their game up a notch as the competition intensifies and titles beckon on the horizon.

All too often experts and fans jump to early erroneous conclusions.  This is the case with the 2009-2010 edition of the L.A. Lakers.

The wily, smiling Phil Jackson was questioned by Craig Sager about why Kobe Bryant was not taking charge in the early stages of a first round playoff contest on the road against a talented young Oklahoma City team.

He explained that Bryant was supposed to be bringing the team more into the picture.  Nonetheless, rather than listening to a coach with 10 NBA championship rings, the second guessers wondered after the Lakers lost that game if Kobe might be over the hill.

Since Kobe Bryant at 31 is hardly p...

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