Kobe Bryant showed up to Laker training camp last week 30 minutes late. For a short time, no one in the media knew where he was. Imaginations ran wild.
As it turned out, Bryant was simply completing a physical. So much for controversy on the first day. That didn't stop the media, though, who tried every way conceivable to get Bryant to discuss the trade request he made last May.
Bryant didn't take the bait. He's been quiet all week and participating in full at Laker camp in Hawaii.
However, many fans haven't been satisfied with this. They believe that Bryant owes Laker nation a detailed explanation of where he stands.
Is he happy in Los Angeles?
Does he still want to be traded?
Does he intend to remain a Laker for life?
While it would certainly make good copy for us in the media to get answers to these questions, answering any of them publicly would not be a smart move for Bryant. His mouth is what got him into this mess in the first place and don't think Kobe doesn't understand as much.
No matter what Bryant says at this juncture it will stir-up controversy. Obviously, if he says he still wants to be traded the media circus will intensify. If he covertly alludes to the roster needing to be improved, as the media has been waiting in vain for him to do this week, it will become a major distraction for the team. Heck, even if he says he's now happy in Los Angeles people will question the authenticity of such a statement and wonder how a guy who was so frustrated by the makeup of the roster could be satisfied now.
No amount of talking will change anything that's happened in the past and to say something at present would cause more harm than healing. There's only one productive move Bryant can make and that is to shut-up and play. And so far in training camp 2007, that's exactly what he's been doing.
HOOPSWORLD
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