Will the Real Kobe Bryant Please Stand Up?

The start of yet another season in the National Basketball Association brings with it more questions than answers. The most popular ones include: Who will win the MVP? Does LeBron James finally have what it takes to win a championship? Will the Mavericks improve their defense? But one of the more interesting but less noted questions is about the reigning league scoring champion Kobe Bryant. Which Kobe will show up this season?

Over the many seasons, we've seen the many shades of Kobe. We've known the young and vivacious teen star who has played with Lakers by day and attended his high school prom with celebrity superstar Brandi Norwood by night. Just the same, we've had front row seats to the fall of his public favor when a hotel worker in Eagle, Colorado alleged his sexual misconduct and marital infidelity. Last season with fan sentiment lower than ever, Bryant was hailed as a selfish ball-hog. However among the selfishness, we've also seen glimpses of a future hall-of-famer. The burning desire to capture greatness oozes from his pores during every possession. Kobe has been the closest thing to Jordan since "His Airness" himself, but the "me first" attitude that has appeared at times is proving too much for some of his fans. Which of these personalities will be the one to show up for the upcoming season? No one knows for sure.

Forgetting for a moment questions of character and trials, examining Kobe's on-court readiness leaves us just as doubtful as to which Kobe will appear before our eyes. Last season, Bryant averaged 35.4 points per game to lead the league. In January, we sat in our living rooms and marveled at his 81-point masterpiece against Toronto. However, minor off-season knee surgery in July has us wondering if Kobe will be ready to begin this season at 100 percent. ESPN.com has reported that Kobe will be a same day decision for Tuesday night's opener against the Phoenix Suns. The status of Bryant's health has come into question recently since he has not played in any of the team's preseason games.

On other fronts, Kobe is in the midst of a major jersey makeover. After 10 seasons as #8, Bryant will have the #24 sewn across his back this season. The change marks Bryant's return to his old high school number, but does this mark a return to the fun loving kid who everyone trusted as a moral role model? Who knows? The possibilities of Kobe abound and leave us wondering and wanting more. So as we begin another season, we begin another journey to find the real Kobe. At the conclusion of this season, we'll most likely have found one of the old Kobes as well as a new. But what we won't find is another championship for the superstar.