Bryant, Bosh, Wade, and James could arguably be considered as four of the NBA's top five players, and now there is a possibility that Bryant may have to face those three together if he hopes to capture his sixth NBA title.
Friend and fellow columnist Harrison Moore recently wrote an article which posed the question whether or not James' main intentions in free agency were to act as a deterrent to the Lakers, and now it seems his question has been answered.
It's hard to recall the last time three of the game's top five players decided to pair their collective talents, and this historic occasion has taken the focus off the two-time defending champion Lakers and placed it squarely on the Miami Heat.
There is always pressure to succeed when you are in the limelight, and nowhere will that pressure be felt more than in Miami, where anything less than a Finals appearance in 2011 will be considered a failure.
Bryant and the Lakers find themselves in a curious position because even though there will be pressure on them to three-peat, it will be nothing like the trio in Miami will have to endure.
This could be beneficial to the Lakers in a variety of ways because although there are problems that need attention such as depth, their roster is in far better shape than Miami's right now.
For Bryant, this could be one of the last major challenges of his career, as he, James, and Wade are universally considered as the game's top players, and it could be perceived by Bryant as a direct shot at his legacy.
It's likely that Miami's move will strengthen Bryant's already steely resolve, and if he is able to return healthy from his injuries, we will pro...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
