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12/22/2009 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It took longer than he had hoped but by finally stepping out of Shaquille O'Neal's enormous shadow, Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant has been named The Sportsbook Betting Lines's Player of the Year for 2009.
Bryant amassed 11 first place votes and 65 total points to outpoll Albert Pujols (eight first place votes, 44 points) of the St. Louis Cardinals and boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao (four first place votes, 41 points) for the coveted honor.
Casual fans possess quite a bit of clout in the sports world. Everyone from billionaire owners to television executives crave the man on the street's approval. Heck, even athletes yearn for their acceptance.
In the basketball world, Bryant had nothing left to prove. Three NBA championships, an MVP award and an Olympic Gold Medal had already cemented Bryant's legacy among those in the industry.
LeBron James might be younger, stronger and a little more athletic but Bryant is still the biggest bully on the block. A superlative scorer, ball-handler and defender, the Philadelphia native was already regarded as the game's top all- around player, the scariest closer west of Mariano Rivera and the NBA's best since the glory days of Michael Jordan.
But, a fourth NBA championship in 2008-09 and his first without the imposing presence of O'Neal gave Bryant what he needed most, redemption and acceptance from even the most casual of observers.
One year after failing in the finals to Boston, Bryant and his Lakers earned their 15th title as the 11-time All-Star stuffed the stat sheet with 30 points, six rebounds, five assists and four blocks in the LA's clinching 99-86 win that eliminated Orlando in five games.
After the final horn sounded, Bryant leaped into the air and was quickly surrounded by his teammates as his seven-year chase for an NBA championship without O'Neal came to a close.
"From the standpoint of responding to the challenge, from people saying I couldn't do it without him, that feels good, because you prove people wrong," Bryant said after securing the title. "So from that standpoint it feels extremely good to do that."
Bryant averaged over 32 points during the Finals and was named the MVP of the championship series for the first time.
"For the challenge of it, it's so tough," said Bryant while on the court during a postgame trophy ceremony. "We had to start over from scratch and here we are again. This really feels like a dream."
A 39-point loss to the Celtics in the Game 6 finale of the 2007-08 Finals fueled Bryant's desire to return to the promised land. His torturous defensive mindset combined with an uncanny ability to get a good shot on any defender at any time made the Lakers virtually recession-proof. The team never lost three in a row during the entire season.
"We knew we had to become a better defensive team consistently, better defensively, better on the boards," said Bryant. "We came back with a renewed focus."
The early part of 2009-10 campaign has provided more of the same from Bryant. The Lakers have sprinted out to an NBA-best 22-4 record with Bryant continuing to show the heart and fortitude of a true leader. Despite suffering an avulsion fracture in his right index finger in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Dec. 11, Bryant has elected to keep playing for a team that has won 15 of its last 16 games.
At just 31, Bryant has a ton of basketball left in him but instead of toiling against the Celtics, Magic or Cavs, Kobe if left with a new opponent -- history.
Bryant is now playing against Oscar and Wilt, Larry and Magic and yes, even Michael, to be called the greatest of all-time.
<< Bowl Season Best Bets - Part I
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The bowl season is underway with three
games already in the books, and the underdog has come out on top in two of the
three. The favorites held a slight advantage the last two postseasons at 34-32
(52%) but
<< Yankees acquire Vazquez from Braves
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Yankees bolstered what was
already a strong rotation with the acquisition of pitcher Javier Vazquez from
Atlanta on Tuesday.
The Yankees will also receive pitcher Boone Logan, while the
<< Georgetown's Mescheriakov to transfer
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Georgetown junior forward Nikita
Mescheriakov has decided to transfer, effective the end of the current
semester, the school revealed on Tuesday.
"Nikita expressed the interest to transfe
<< Browns place QB Quinn on IR
Berea, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Browns placed quarterback Brady
Quinn on injured reserve on Tuesday, meaning Derek Anderson will be the
signal-caller for the team's last two games of the season.
According to head coach
Bayern's Van Bommel open to new deal >>
Munich, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Captain Mark van Bommel has urged Bayern
Munich to offer him a new contract.
The Netherlands international is out of contract at the Allianz Arena at the
end of the current season but has welcomed rep
Sunderland's Turner handed four-game ban >>
Sunderland, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sunderland defender Michael Turner has
picked up a four-game ban following his dismissal at Manchester City last
weekend.
The former Hull City man received his marching orders for serious foul
Nats bring in Marquis with two-year deal >>
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Nationals
welcomed veteran free agent pitcher Jason Marquis to the fold with a
two-year contract worth $15 million.
Marquis was considered to be among the top sta
Orioles sign Atkins >>
Baltimore, MD (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Baltimore Orioles made it official with
Garrett Atkins on Tuesday, signing the free agent infielder to a one-year
contract. The deal also includes a club option for 2011.
Atkins had spent his ent
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