Showtime, Kobe Bryant style is in town tonight! What’s the difference between back in the day Lakers Showtime and Showtime Kobe style? Well, back in the day, Lakers showtime would stroll into town with Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Cooper, Nixon, and Byron Scott running and gunning at will. Of course, slam dunking the ball at their beckon call too. If you were a Lakers fan back then, there was nothing more exciting. It was several of the greatest players in the world on one team and the style they played was unmatched. Lakers Showtime was something to see.
Nowadays, in Laker land, the likes of Magic, Kareem, Worthy, Scott, Nixon and others are long gone. When you watch the Lakers today, it’s Kobe Bryant and some others guys. I’m not ripping Pau Gasol or Ron Artest, but please, niether one of them could hold the jock of any original Lakers Showtime. Showtime was a great team, period. They all played an integral part of their run and gun style. Each player had a role to fill and filled it nightly. One night it was Kareem, then it was Magic, the next night it was Worthy’s, then it was Byron Scott. It wasn’t how to stop Lakers Showtime, it was who to stop? Which superstar do you try to hold down? It was nearly impossible to do back in the day.
When you watch the Lakers today, “Showtime” is quite different. It’s Showtime Kobe Bryant style. There is plenty of talent on the squad, but there is one superstar. MEGASTAR! Kobe Bryant is Lakers Showtime. They’ll kick into gear every once in awhile and do some serious running and some thunder slams. However, for the most part, any kind of showtime on the Lakers is all about Kobe. Need a bucket, it’s Kobe. Need a three pointer, it’s Kobe. Need to stop a run, it’s Kobe. Need some defense, It’s Kobe. Need a game tying basket, it’s Kobe. And, more than anything, if you need a game winning basket, it’s Kobe Bryant.
Last night in Memphis, after being out for five games with an ankle injury, Kobe Bryant showed the world why he is Lakers Showtime. Bryant hit three huge three pointers to not only erase a Memphis lead late in the game. He hit the game winning three to seal the Lakers a 99-98 victory. Bryant finished with 32 points and more importantly, he was back, healthy, and ready to resume his role as Kobe Showtime.
More and more this season, Bryant has hit big shot after big shot. This season, it seems like he does it every night. Game winning shots to secure the victory for his Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe Showtime is much simpler than original Lakers Showtime was back in the day. Kobe Showtime = get the hell out of the way, give me the ball, I’m scoring! We all know he’s getting the rock, and he’s going to take the big shot everytime. What’s more amazing, we know he’s going to hit that big shot nearly everytime. The dude is freaking unreal and he does most of it on his own every single night! Original Lakers Showtime had several components and if one guy was off, one of the other four superstars was there to make the big play. For Kobe Bryant Showtime, it’s all about him. He’s the man, he’s Kobe Showtime and amazing us all on a nightly basis. Don’t be surprised if tonight’s game ends on another big basket by you know who….Kobe Bryant Showtime!
