It has taken 12 seasons and just as much criticism, but Kobe Bryant has earned his first league MVP award, the L.A. Times are reporting.

The official announcement will come in Los Angeles next week by David Stern, but sources have revealed that Bryant is the winner, according to the report.

The MVP award was believed to be between Bryant and New Orleans' dynamic guard Chris Paul, both of whom have guided their teams to huge turnarounds from last season.