It easy to lead the team and win if you have at least better than average players on the roster. MJ has in his time Pippen and Rodman. The former a certified all-star, and the latter, one of the greatest rebounders in the 90s. And both are first class defenders.
And look what Kobe has....Odom, Brown and Walton. Odom is near all-star caliber, but thats it.......if you replace Kobe with any other SG (except Lebron James), this Laker team is going lottery.
Kobe on his own is very good.....but for him to win MVP...they must win, at least in 50 win range....... They did flirt with a 50 win pace, until injuries destroyed the momentum they had.