I have watched two MVPs carry their respective teams to victory today.

And both showed two different leadership styles.

I am talking about Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. Both came straight from high school before entering the NBA. Both are scoring leaders in their own right.

Lebron James, the naillbiting phenom who is probably the best all-around two guard literally carried his team to 97-96 victory against the prolific scorer Gilbert Arenas-led Washington Wizards. He scored his 50^th 30 plus game amidst the stingy and double teaming defense. His team was down by one point with 23.4 seconds to go when he struggled to put up a shot, first eluding his guard then pump faking an off the glass shot against the shot-blocking Michael Ruffin. This is after all the criticisms that Lebron was incapable of taking charge in late game and nerve wracking situations. The Cavaliers capped the win by withstanding a trifecta attempt by Gilbert Arenas that went pfft in the dying seconds. Now the Cavaliers are up 2-1 in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

In another game, the oft-misunderstood Kobe Bryant helped eke out a win against the high octane offense Steve Nash-led Phoenix Suns. Bryant this year’s scoring leader who is perceived as a cocky, ballhog and selfish player, did what was unexpected of him- trust his teammates. This probably caught the opposing team off guard as they expected an 81 points scoring Bryant. Instead, they faced a Magic Johnson-like team leader who trusted his team and help will the team to wins. It wasn’t a usual scoring night but he did show his multi-faceted game of assists, rebounds and steals.

Lebron James and Kobe Bryant. Two MVPs in their own right. Two leaders. One for taking the responsibility and the strong will to win for the betterment of the team. The other for being a trusting and encouraging team leader who shunned one-upmanship and had no qualms doing the "dirty work" all in the name of the team and the win.

They may not emerge as NBA season MVPs or even win the NBA crown but both earned a lot of people’s respect (like mine) unlike the heckler who ruined a graduation ceremony.