Like Mike - Thursday, May 22, 2008
370 Views :: 0 Comments :: :: Michael Bradley

   Gregg Popovich knew. When he was interviewed before the second period of Wednesday night's Western Conference finals opener in L.A., he wasn't falling into Craig Sager's trap. Instead of crowing about how the Spurs' defense had controlled Kobe Bryant, the San Antonio coach said that Bryant hadn't yet decided to become a factor and that he would, when the time was right.

   Just goes to show you don't win four NBA titles from the bench without knowing something about basketball. To some, Bryant seemed almost disinterested in the first half. He scored two points, passed up opportunities to drive to the basket and made some uncharacteristically sloppy plays. As San Antonio built a 20-point lead, some wondered whether the Spurs had the magic formula to thwart him.

   Not exactly. We soon learned Bryant's strategy. He scored 25 second-half points, including all the big buckets, in the Lakers' come-from-behind win. In the process, he showed a maturity that had been missing as recently as last summer, when he was demanding a trade and talking about getting out of L.A. Much has been made this season about Bryant's "trusting" his teammates, but the bigger story is how Bryant is finally acting like a leader and a -- dare I say -- a champion.

   Instead of trying to score 30 in the first quarter, Bryant is getting a feel for each game before deciding what must be done. That's a trait found only in the great ones. Jordan did it. So did Bird. And Magic. They didn't play with a single-minded desire to score early on. Instead, they helped establish a flow and then went to work when it was winning time. That's what Bryant did Wednesday night. When he got after it, no one could stop him. And that's a scary thought for the Spurs and whoever emerges in the East.

   If Bryant is going to play like a winner, like someone who truly cares about team first, then the Lakers will win the NBA title. Matching his supreme physical talents with the attitude of the greats is a combination that's unbeatable. Wednesday showed a Bryant with the poise and perspective necessary to win big. If he continues it, he will have completed a stunning metamorphosis from a spoiled, selfish star into a full-fledged champion.