The Newly Crowned MVP Who Crushed Everything!

"I'd thought our assessment of the newly crowned MVP Kobe had already been generous enough." Kenny Smith could only smile bitterly.

April 26, 1998, Great Western Forum. Before the eyes of countless spectators, Stern personally presented the regular-season MVP trophy to Kobe.

"Keep it up, Kobe. You'll be the face of the league." Stern whispered those words into Kobe's ear. More than anyone, Stern understood just how great Kobe's impact on the league would be.

A player capable of standing toe-to-toe with Jordan. A new face of the league, and the future of the NBA. Without Kobe, Stern did not know what the league would become after Jordan aged and retired.

One player could influence the rise and fall of an entire league. Jordan was that kind of player, and so was Kobe.

This was the league commissioner's personal endorsement! Kobe had earned the recognition of the entire league!

The youngest MVP in league history!

Winning MVP before the age of twenty—who else had ever done that?

Which season had he won MVP in his previous life?

Kobe could not remember. He only remembered winning it in a battle against the Hornets' king, Chris Paul.

But this season, he had no rival!

He was the league's most valuable player!

Without question!

He was also its strongest player!

At Great Western Forum, before nearly twenty thousand fans, Kobe raised the MVP trophy high above his head!

At that moment, he was the center of the world.

Dr. Buss clapped until his hands hurt, tears slipping from the corners of his eyes.

The last time the Lakers had possessed a player on Kobe's level dated back to Magic Johnson's prime in the 1980s. Time had flown by; countless fans now had gray at their temples, while the only thing that had remained