Reports coming out of Los Angeles indicate that Kobe Bryant will be announced as the NBA’s most valuable player.

This would be the first time the Lakers guard received the award, and would cap off a fascinating season for Bryant, both on the court and off.

From the LOS ANGELES TIMES:

Bryant’s season capped a massive turnaround from a tumultuous off-season in which he asked to be traded.

The Lakers went from shaky preseason forecasts to winning the top spot in the tough West at 57-25. The Lakers then swept Denver in the first round of the playoffs…[Bryant] was second to LeBron James at 28.3 a game during the 2007-08 season, but his defense was notably better and he averaged 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists, numbers that were tied for the second- and fourth-best outputs of his career.

He also deferred to teammates much more than in the last few seasons and rarely forced his will on games, a trait that saddled him in the past.

Also worth noting is that the Lakers had actually launched a campaign of sorts to garner voting support for Bryant, but Kobe’s had a huge year and is most deserving. His team advanced to the second round of the playoffs in convincing fashion. And jumping over that Aston Martin has re-ignited that Kobe brand that was once so popular with fans and sponsors. Kobe may not be the next Jordan, but he’s coming closer to the icon than probably anyone else.