Here's how Kobe Bryant spent his Tuesday and Wednesday this week: calling in to radio stations across the country and berating his front office. It's all because of this sentence that appeared in an outstanding article by top-notch LA Times NBA writer Mark Heisler: "Nevertheless, as a Lakers insider notes, it was Bryant's insistence on getting away from Shaquille O'Neal that got them in this mess."Kobe's all jammed up that someone inside the Lakers front office would throw him under the bus, and he's angry. First, he demanded the Lakers get Jerry West, the man who builds champions. Then, he stomped his feet and whined like a baby and said he wanted to be traded. Hours later, he backpeddled from that request.
Ladies and gentleman, meet the new Terrell Owens. A selfish, petulant athlete who doesn't understand the team concept. This is where Kobe Bryant vaulted himself this week.
Plenty of athletes have sounded off in an article (Shawn Marion about being respected by the Suns in a recent ESPN the Magazine piece comes to mind), or in a TV interview, or perhaps even a radio interview. Here's the difference between an angry/upset athlete and a petulant one - the non-babies know when to put a cork in it.
Remember how Tom Brady was upset last year that the Patriots didn't get any wide receivers, and it ended up costing New England a shot at the Super Bowl? He made a statement about it, and then quit. The Patriots responded this summer by getting one of the 10 best receivers in the league, Randy Moss.
I'm no public relations spin-doctor, but my advice to Kobe is to quit while you're ahead. You've made your point. You want out, you want changes. Now zip it. The Lakers are on the clock. Mitch and Jerry and Phil will sit down - perhaps with the help of West - and see what players they can bring in to fortify the lineup. If the Lakers don't improve, then you know what you can do - walk two seasons from now. You'll be 31, and still have 3-4 good years left.
And if you insist on the crying, then please get us some cheese to go with your whine.
