Kobe Has A Chance For Another Title And (non) Fans Still Hate
Kobe Bryant Still Has A Stigma Attached
“But Kobe has did something that showed his true character; he’s a rat fink bastard. Apparently, while being interrogated by the cops, Kobe tells them that he knows that Shaquille has paid over a million dollars to keep women quiet. WTF?? Why did he say this? Does it have anything to do with his case??? No.”
If this did indeed happen, it was several years ago. To some it doesn’t matter how long ago this occured, Kobe broke the unwritten code and told on someone else when the spotlight was on him. Well, it wasn’t really that he told; since this was about cheating on a woman that is the biggest foul here.
The selfish label has all but dissapeared concerning Kobe on the court, but because he told on Shaq, he has lost some fans forever. One of my co-workers doesn’t want the Lakers to win due to his hatred for Kobe after “ratting” on the big fella. Most people who feel this way acknowledge Bryant’s superior skills on the court but simply can’t go along with someone after they’ve done this.
I see the point.
This Is What I Think
I remember the 1979 NCAA basketball championship for one reason: one player seemed to have so much joy on the court. It was as if everyone else was laboring while he was truly playing the game – with a smile on his face. From that point on, I have been riding with the Lakers through thick and thin.
Yes, there has seemingly been more thick than thin, but I was still a Laker fan during those years when Sedale Threat and Vlade were our “stars.” Basically, I’m a true fan. I like the 49ers too, but I’m going through a painful decade or so with them.
I said all of that to say this: I’m down with Kobe as long as he delivers on the court. If he were to leave the Lakers, he would be public enemy number one to me. As long as he is wearing the purple and gold I don’t worry about the stuff off the court.
At the end of the day (I hate that saying), we watch him play basketball. Too much pressure is put on athletes to be role models. Why? Just because someone can put a basketball into a hoop better than anyone else in the world doesn’t make them solid citizens. They can be the scum of the earth and score 30 points a night or hit 700+ home runs (we will get to Barry Bonds later). We need to look to someone else to be role models and not be surprised when humans do something to let us down. When all else fails, look up!
