We’ve all seen the “Kobe System” commercials: Different animal. Same Beast.

Many don’t exactly know what it means, but I think I have a pretty good idea.

Kobe Bryant often alludes to it as well, most recently when a fan asked him if he had seen Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco rockin’ his gear on ESPN, to which Kobe responded via Twitter:

In essence, the meaning can be translated into an athlete of a different sport (or maybe even the same sport) having the same mentality as the Black Mamba.

However, I am convinced that Kobe Bryant is a different beast altogether.

His level of play recently would certainly support that.

Early on this season, Kobe was leading the league in scoring and doing so at a highly efficient rate; his scoring average and shooting percentage have dropped since then, but his field goal percentage is still at a career-high (47.5) level.

Then, because the Lakers were struggling and his scoring wasn’t resulting in enough wins, the Black Mamba decided to give play-making a try, and excelled at that as well. In a 12-game stretch ranging from January 25 up until the All-Star break, Bryant dished out an average of 8.5 assists per game, and more importantly, led his team to an 8-4 record.

Following the All-Star break, however, Kobe has gone on a scoring tear in an attempt to will his team to victory–but he hasn’t quite ditch the passing aspect of his game, either.

Bryant had a relatively quiet game against the Boston Celtics following the All-Star break–one that resulted in a 113-99 victory–but has since been absolutely remarkable.

In the seven games (and counting) following that, Kobe has averaged 35.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 6.1 assists; all of this on a highly efficient 56.4 percent clip from the field and 47.2 percent from three-point land!

The Lakers are 5-2 over the seven games, by the way.

Next Page: “Vino’s” Fourth Quarter Dominance