A daily look at the big story of the day in sports as seen through the eyes of writers and bloggers all across the internet.
If you're a Sopranos watcher you've seen A.J. go from cherubic little anklebiter to disinterested high schooler to college dropout to shaved eyebrow turd to construction worker to Puerto Rican activist to jilted fiance to pizzeria manager to third-tier thug to suicidal and committed to a mental institution. All along the way he's had a knack of making everything about him up to the last episode when he blamed his parents for every bad thing that's ever happened to him. It's been a constant refrain of his but it's never explained why he's done any of the things. It's just be an excuse to act like a douche at every opportunity and never do anything constructive with his life.
Kobe Bryant's kinda the same way. He was blessed with a remarkable athletic ability, a father who knew how to cultivate it and, in the Lakers, a team that's moved heaven and earth to keep him happy. He won titles, became a superstar, beat a rape rap and has been given every opportunity to be exactly the Kobe Bryant that he's wanted to be. Yet he's still not happy. He's spent the last week demanding to be traded or denying he demanded to be traded but always criticizing the Laker family for not doing enough to make his home a happy one.
After the dust settled on yesterday's dueling radio show appearances and Bryant again backed off on a trade demand one thing was clear. Kobe's the man in charge out in Los Angeles and next year's team will be one of his own design. The Lakers let him make his bed once already and he hasn't felt comfortable sleeping in it. Even before he rescinded his trade demand the chance of a deal was infintesimal, nothing was going to work out well for the Lakers. He'll get his chance to make another go of it in purple. Hopefully it will work out better for him than the old cinder block/plastic bag combination that failed A.J.
Kobe Bryant will take some heat for what he did yesterday. He'll be called selfish, instable, insane, etc. But if you're Kobe, how does sitting idly by while the franchise wastes your prime help anyone? He did the right thing. For himself, for the league, for the fans, and for the Lakers. Someday, they're going to thank him for it. (The Debriefing)
My prediction: He's here for another year, then there's another frustrated outburst when they don't improve, and the Lakers trade him rather than have him walk as a free agent. For now, the Lakers can't — can't — send him anywhere in the Western Conference, even though that's where most of the talent is. The one Eastern team with an abundance of good young players — Chicago — needs a low-post player more than a guard. And Bryant will come to realize that if you're going to be on a rebuilding team, it's much better to be in L.A. than some place like Milwaukee. (J.A. Adande)
Kobe Bryant is going to get what he wants. He just doesn’t know where yet. Half-hearted ultimatums and retractions aside, his 48 hour media blitzkrieg effectively granted the Lakers a two year amnesty. Chip or bust. Get down or lay down. Three years after his free agency loomed over the franchise, he’s proven he’s still in control and now everyone knows it. Which is why it’s time to trade him before it’s too late. (The Starting Five)
We all have a buddy or know somebody that has to one-up you no matter the occasion. You can mention something great, “hey I got a new job today” and they’ll come back with “I got a promotion and a 50k raise”. You could be discussing a tragedy, “I was just watching the news about that plane crash” and he’ll hit you with “I’ve seen two plane crashes live and I survived a shipwreck”.. Whether you call ‘em Parade Pissers, Spotlight Stealers, or Attention Whores, you get the point. These people hate to see others shine. (You've Been Blinded)
By now I’m sure you’ve heard this situation described as a Soap Opera. Between Kobe’s pre-teen mood swings, Jerry Buss’ DUI with an unidentified 23 year old and the surprise endorsement from Shaq, you could’ve easily added some cloudy camera work, put this on TV in the middle of the day, called it “As Kobe Turns” and nobody would’ve known the difference. But why stop at cheesy daytime television. This story has feature film written all over it. (Pyle Of List)
In the end, Bryant won't be traded. Nor will he want it. Mostly, this embarrassing episode has been a chance to blow off steam, flex his muscle and give everyone a good laugh with the signature line on his blog entries that says, "Strength and Honor, Kobe Bryant." (Adrian Wojnarowski)
John Salley, co-host of FSN's "Best Damn Sports Show Period," on Kobe Bryant: "Kobe, when he turns 30 in 2009, is going to be in New York City, wearing a New York Knicks jersey." (Ben Maller)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
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