The Terminator

"I can speak Italian..."

Kanye West - Champion

Monday night in a 95-93 loss to the Grizzlies...the Lakers had a changing of the guard...

By Any Means Necessary

The best basketball player of my career has been hands down Kobe Bryant, and I've been covering his games for quite a few years...bearing witness to the high school jersey retirement, an All-Star MVP award, the 61-point spree at the Garden, his 4th title, and countless other moments.

With a dunk in the 4th quarter against Memphis...Bryant became the all-time leading scorer in Lakers history...surpassing Jerry West. He now has 25,208 points, however with the loss, I'm sure that he's not satisfied. Kobe is unlike anyone you know...his will and desire for the best puts him in a rare class.

The mission is the same as ever, as all he wants to do is win...and be the last team standing.

Nothing changes, for Kobe Bean...it's business as usual. The quest for the 5th ring began once the parade last June ended. When it is all said and done, he can very well become the greatest Laker ever, and with Mikan, Baylor, West, Chamberlain, Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson, and O'Neal...that would be a major accomplishment...one that I believe Bryant could handle.

Photo: Jim Rogash/Getty Images