A few weeks ago I was asked to participate in Hardwood Paroxysm's Kobe Bryant Blog Day. The guy who runs that site is a huge Suns fan (you all knew him around here as sunofa in his pre-HP days). He has been extremely helpful and supportive in my first season as a blogger, and has never once refused me a favor when I needed one. In short, even though I think he's a little nuts for doing this "give the devil his due" thing (his words), I just couldn't say no.

So, naturally my first reaction to his request was...well, OK, my first reaction after the trip to the toilet to throw up...was, "Hmm... I need a Kobe-themed post that will not make Suns fans rise up in protest and vow never to visit Bright Side of the Sun again. Oh, I know! I'll post that YouTube of the infamous Raja Bell clothesline! That's always popular around here! Besides, Kobe's finger-wagging skills were never so deftly on display as they were after he regained his senses following that play." But then I was informed that this is supposed to be a serious matter. None of that sarcasm stuff allowed. The whole purpose is to sincerely celebrate the individual greatness that is this year's all-but-certain-to-be-voted MVP (and did I mention the guy who asked me to participate is a very dear friend in the blogosphere?).

So, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Kobe's career playoff high, featuring 50 points of brilliance against our Phoenix Suns. This video shows Kobe torching the Suns again and again on dunks, threes, and everything in between. Awesome and amazing. Just don't forget who had the last laugh when the final buzzer sounded.