With the NBA season drawing closer (peep the FIBA World Cup though) and much of the attention being zoned in on the Cleveland Cavaliers, I thought I'd sell you the story of Kobe Bryant ... the 2014/15 Kobe Bryant.

Some would say it's a tough sell as there are many other story lines in the NBA that will be more interesting or dramatic, but this story of Kobe Bryant is a gem. Well worth the price, it comes with a money back guarantee and my own personal recommendation ... which is obviously extremely valuable.

Kobe Bryant is Kobe Bryant. He's not based upon anyone else, his spirit and energy can not be matched nor can he be explained - he's just Kobe. Which ensures that the LA Lakers and Kobe Bryant will not spend a few years chillin' out waiting for a top draft pick. Bryant's ability to play ball along with his determination and competitiveness mean that he will head in to the season with one goal (winning) and will do everything in his power to achieve it. There's nothing else in that mind of Bryant's, he's just out to win ball games.

But that's the catch. Bryant's attitude seems to lack a bit of logic given the current Lakers roster which is highlighted by Carlos Boozer, Jeremy Lin and Julius Randle. Oh and Steve Nash kicking it in the retirement village.

Can Kobe Bryant actually do something crazy with this team? Is it in the slightest way possible?

Some of this problem is Bryant's doing, a point which has been made many times. His salary cap guzzling 2 year deal meant they couldn't really buy anyone who could greatly impact his team. So we have this weird crossroads where Bryant's desire meets a realism, realism that is thanks to Bryant's 2 year deal.

Will Bryant's deal prove to be a smart piece of business? Or will we look back and think shit, what the fudge cakes?

What about Bryant himself!?

He's 36 and coming back from a whole bunch of injuries - headed by a torn achilles. Forget all the financial stuff, the make up of the team, etc. - can Kobe Bryant still ball at a high level?

Bryant's one of the smartest athletes in any sport, ever. Which leads me to believe that we're going to see a different Kobe Bryant this season. He's too smart to keep doing all the things that made him what he is, he'll set team mates up, he'll nail jumpers, he'll keep it simple.

Or will he?

This is the final chapter of Kobe Bryant's NBA career. I've never known the NBA without Kobe. How will my favourite player bow out of the NBA?

Will he dish up constant reminders of how awesome he is? Or will he and the Lakers become (/continue to be) the running joke of the NBA?

It's a story line that will keep on giving throughout the season. Each game will offer a twist, each game will help us answer the many questions I've stated above.

It's a story line that will be a constant in the background. While the Cavaliers are playing the Miami Heat or while the San Antonio Spurs are playing the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kobe and the Lakers will be playing the Milwaukee Bucks. Each game, each minute contributes to this story.

What do I want to happen? I want Bryant go well, play in a smart and classy manner ... more of a transition from this style to that style instead of a decline. But I want Kobe Bryant to set up the LA Lakers for years to come.

This is why I reckon that the Lakers offered that 2 year deal to Bryant - so he can lay the foundation, then pass the torch.