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LA Lakers have reinstated their dominance in arguably the world's toughest basketball league by trampling on the Orlando Magic with a 4-1 win in a best-of-seven series. The last time Lakers were the team to beat was during the 03-04 season where they completed a hat-trick of NBA bling bling. The dynamic duo of Shaq and Kobe encompassed the ironic beauty of finesse and brute strength. They packed a one-two punch so powerful that opponents could hardly withstand, let alone contain. Then, there was the master motivator Phil Jackson, who had all the wisdom to blend the two conflicting styles and maximise the potential of the team. Unfortunately, the ball-hogger in Kobe took everything asunder. Shaq and Phil could no longer tolerate Kobe doing everything himself. Kobe was too self-absorbed in his monologue. It was impossible for them to colllaborate with someone who did not quite comprehend the concept of TEAM.

A dry spell that lasted four years led to a frustrated Kobe who was on the brink of leaving the Lakers. The management doggedly pleaded with Kobe to stay on. And stay on he did, with one condition. Bring back Phil Jackson and complement him with players of title-contending calibre. The Lakers were not a team to renege on their agreement, especially with the superstar Kobe at stake. They acquired former compatriot and veteran point guard, Derek Fisher and all-rounded Pau Gasol. With a solid bench, viz. Trevor Ariza, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom etcetera, Lakers looked to wrestle the crown from the Celtics.

With the best win-loss record in regular season and a flattering route to the finals, mostly against teams heavily depleted by injury woes, the Lakers were the hot favourites to win this finals. They sure lived up to expectations by vanquishing the fledgling Orlando Magic in a rather impressive 5 games.

Right after the denouement of the NBA season, the media was quick to heap praises on how Kobe has "matured" and become an "inspiring leader" to his teammates though statistic said otherwise.

However, the immutable truth is Kobe could not have done it without the composure of Derek Fisher, the inside presence of Pau Gasol, the relentless defence of Trevor Ariza and the versatility of Lamar Odom. Michael Jordan could not have done it without Pippen and what makes this supposed closest-thing-to-Jordan exclusive from the basic principles of a team.

It is undeniable that Kobe is right up there amongst the greats and has his name embossed in the list of Hall-of-Famers. However, regardless of your ability (and this applies to anything outside basketball), you should always love your pals and treat them as equals because two or more are always better than one and without them, you are nothing.