Kobe Bryant

I have never been a big Kobe Bryant fan, but over the years I have grown to respect him as a player for his accomplishments on the court, he has continued to improve different parts of his game throughout the course of his career and even this season after winning his 4th championship I have seen vast improvements in his game. His post game is very reminiscent of 95-96 Michael Jordan, paired with the running of the triangle offense under Phil Jackson, I think Kobe has taken his game to a whole new level. At 30 his athelticism hasn't even dropped off that much from his younger days, but he relies on it less and less, even his over the shoulder layup off contact last night was a shot Jordan would make in his later years, and as someone who loved and watched Jordan a great deal, especially in the mid-late 90's ( i was too young in the late 80's ) I think Kobe has made a great stride to ensuring himself as a dominant player well into his mid 30's if he chooses to play that long.