Marc Stein, ESPN

Does Kobe rank as the best player ever seen in this league who has never been named MVP?

Will we still be asking this in May?

Not if he keeps this up.

Through two-thirds of the season, Chris Paul has been no less than the best point guard in a Western Conference teeming with great ones, thrusting New Orleans into the West’s elite when pretty much no one expected that. It’s also true that nobody handed Paul’s Hornets anyone close to Pau Gasol — or even Derek Fisher — in what can only be classified as some rather, uh, fortunate roster business for the Lakers lately.

Still …

Full Story

• College season starts now for West’s elite
• Bryant plays only three minutes for West in All-Star Game; East wins
• Paul Pierce brags about being the best player.
• Lakers trying to convince NBA to let Kobe skip All-Star Game
• Bryant’s star the one that shines brightest