We get so caught up in statistics so we have a tendency to overlook how some players make others better.  Kobe Bryant is that guy.  I never count him out.  He popped for 38 in game two of their first round series against Denver, giving him now 83 playoff games in his career where he has scored 30 or more (second all time).  He has as much motivation at age 33 as ever to get the rin, which would be his sixth and he's helped make Andrew Bynum an all star and Pau Gasol become more balanced (43 double doubles in each of the last two years).  We like to try and find words to describe players and some that come to mind with Bryant are: relentless and driven, but the best is "winner." I can support my belief that he's the best I've seen with: 5x world champion (2x mvp); 14x all star (nba record 4x mvp); 13x NBA first team; 11x NBA defensive team; and 2x scoring champ, but you know most of that already.  What I love most about him is his willingness to fail.  That takes a special mindset and every one of the "all time greats" had it.  It's not as much willing to take the last shot and make it....it's taking the last shot and willing to deal with failure-although it doesn't happen often.