Lakers News: Veteran NBA Big Believes Kobe Bryant May Not Have Been Real 2008 MVP

Former Lakers great Kobe Bryant won a lot of accomplishments throughout his career, but weirdy only won one MVP award. For how great he was each season during his prime, Bryant was robbed of the award a few times.

But he did win it during the 2008 NBA season, where he put up 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. It was an incredible year for Bryant, and he was almost unstoppable during that season.

However, one former NBA center believes that he wasn’t the best player in the league and that he was outshined by a rival. Ryan Hollins believes that former Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce was the best player in the NBA that season.

“Clutch Paul Pierce outshined Kobe Bryant. People fail to realize Paul Pierce was maybe the best player on the planet for that year.”

Per Ryan Hollins

This is certainly an interesting take and one that doesn’t make a lot of sense. Bryant was much better than Pierce was during the 2007-2008 season, and it showed in the numbers. It also showed in their play on the court, and Bryant dominated that end as well.

Kobe Bryant was outshined by Paul Pierce in 2008 notes @TheRyanHollins.

“Clutch Paul Pierce outshined Kobe Bryant. People fail to realize Paul Pierce was maybe the best player on the planet for that year.”

“Paul was really looked over because he had so many mediocre years… pic.twitter.com/FuMRszIIQK
— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) October 10, 2023

Pierce averaged 19.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game during the year. Hollins points out that Pierce was overshadowed due to him being on the same team as Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.

Even with those guys on the roster, Bryant ran circles around Pierce in terms of individual play. But Pierce got the last laugh since he and the Celtics took down Bryant and the Lakers in the NBA Finals.

Bryant would have gladly taken the championship win over the MVP award, but you can’t change the past. But to say that he wasn't the best player on the planet during the 2008 season is foolish.

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