in the 08-09 season when LBJ got his first MVP kobe stepped up his game in the playoffs, increasing his shooting and points more they were in previous playoff runs. same for last season when Lebron got his 2nd MVP. kobe's stats in the playoff were higher then before. i think hes really gone start doing better just looking at his opponents. i still think that lakers are going to be the number 1 seed in the west. chicago either 5 seed. miami first seed in the east, celts 2nd seed and magic 3rd, atlanta 4 and bulls 5. in the west its lakers, mavs, denver, San Antonio, and Houston.