Kobe Doin Self Work

Saw a commercial the other day on “Kobe Doin Work”…a Spike Lee Joint. Someone should tell Spike that’s so 88. Not sure what it’s about, but it made me think about Bryant’s brilliant career thus far & the impact it has had on the Lakers & the NBA.

For all intents and purposes, the NBA has had very few players that can drive the casual fan to the arena since Jordan left. Bryant happens to be one of those guys. Compared to other stars in sports, Bryant is the most visible star and likely as big as a name as say Alex Rodriguez. I think Bryant's persona is what I'd like to see out of Alex Rodriguez truthfully, more confident, just not as obnoxious. Bryant knows he's the best there is in Basketball, he acts like it, he talks like it, but most importantly he plays like it. You can argue about James or Wade or Paul, but is there any other player that strikes fear into the hearts of opponents more than Bryant at the end of games? Those players may be more complete as basketball players, but Bryant is no doubt the best offensive player in the NBA. Kobe can be in a team full of stars, but at the end of the game if it’s close, he will get the shot over any other star with very few exceptions. Kobe doesn't just want to be the main guy though, he wants to be the only guy you go to for a win. More than a center piece, he wants to be the only piece. He has that with the Lakers, he’s the best player the Lakers have, the rest of the Lakers are role players. One thing Shaq & Phil Jackson were right about though, Bryant doesn't make his teammates better. Never has, likely never will.

Lebron James on the other hand does. In my book, that will forever keep Bryant as the solo act he is, where ever he goes. The Lakers have a classic 1+11 team, sure Gasol is a very good player. So is Bynum. Bryant has the type of skill that can make these very good players into great players, these 2 in particular. So why aren’t they better? Bynum did not get drastically better from year 3 to year 4. Same with Gasol, his numbers look just like they did in Memphis. Anyone remember Scottie Pippen’s career after he left Chicago? Let’s not forget, Scottie Pippen was part of the best 50 players in history (when the list was made in 1996-1997). That was the affect Michael Jordan had on a player that was good, Michael turned him to great.

Like all players with great talent, Bryant has an ego. Maybe a little to self absorbed. For all the complaining Bryant did a few years ago when he asked to be traded, this is what he really wants. He wants to be the reason a team wins, THE ONLY REASON THEY WIN. A classic you can’t do it without me guy, which is why Shaq isn't there anymore. Bryant hated to be overshadowed & thought of as a “complimentary piece” to a player he saw himself better than (Shaq). And that's where my real displeasure with Bryant is. Again, he doesn’t just want to be the center piece, he wants to be the ONLY PIECE. He’s so talented, yet so off centered when it comes to the concept of “team”. He really believes he's talented enough to win a title, with 11 other nobodies. He’s more interested in winning for HIM, than winning for the team. And that type of mentality will be what never wins him another title. My Co-host Joe Sarno predicted Denver to go to the NBA Finals weeks ago, and now I'm on that banwagon. What Kobe doesn’t understand is that while great you can never do it alone. You can not out think players, coaches, & schemes all by yourself. Even Jesus had 12 disciples.