Kobe On Fire

Kobe Bryant has made headlines again, but not for flagrant fouls this time. Instead, Kobe has done something else the league hasn't seen in awhile - post three straight games of 50 or more points. Better yet, the Los Angeles Lakers won all three games. What has caused this sudden boom in the play of Kobe and the Lakers? It's quite simple, really, according to Kobe: Luke Walton and Lamar Odom are healthy again. In the postgame interview after his third consecutive eruption of 50 or more, Kobe credited Luke and Lamar for directing the offense, sharing the ball, and generally making the game easier for him and the team. This credit may seem like a surprise or overstatement to casual fans, but those who have watched the Lakers this season cannot underestimate the importance of Luke Walton and Lamar Odom to the Lakers' - and Kobe's - success.

As good a player as Bryant is, he cannot win games by himself. He can score at will, but when he doesn't have other players directing the offense, he can force too many shots and disrupt the team's rhythm. But with smart players around him who are catalysts for good team play, Bryant takes better shots and scores even more without forcing his way. The result is good for the whole team - Kobe puts up incredible numbers, and the Lakers win ballgames. If this trend continues, the Lakers could become a team to watch in the playoffs, and Kobe could end up stealing the Most Valuable Player award from Dirk Nowitzki or Steve Nash.

Bryant image courtesy NBA.com (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images)