LOS ANGELES — Before we set aside Kobe's Future: The Continuing Drama (at least until something actually happens, or the next time says something to fan the flames, or there's a particularly juicy rumor floating around), there's a question to be asked.
What the heck are you people thinking?
This query is addressed specifically to those in the standard Staples Center sellout of 18,997 at the Lakers' 119-109 win over Utah on Sunday night, though it probably applies to a larger segment of Lakers fandom, as well.
You'll recall that during last week's season opener, Kobe Bryant actually was greeted with boos by the Lakers Faithful.
Since this was unprecedented — you don't boo the Golden Child on his home court — it was widely interpreted as reflecting a degree of unhappiness with Mr. Bryant and his stated desire to get outta town, a desire that led to an offseason of turmoil and still has plenty of time to reassert itself as a season of turmoil.
Put more simply, the fans decided to make it known they weren't OK with anything Kobe did, though it may have seemed that way for a number of years.
Turns out this strong, principled stance lasted, oh, whole minutes.
Bryant was cheered by the end of that game — hey, he scored 45 points — and by Sunday night, normalcy had returned.
Bryant's name was greeted in pregame introductions as it always has been at Staples Center, which is to say with cheers louder and longer than for any other Laker — louder and longer, probably, than anything short of an announcement that the arena is serving free beer for a quarter (and you probably shouldn't hold your breath for that one).
In five short days, Bryant was back to being the star of stars, the master of all that surveyed him, the man who can do no wrong.
And so, in considering that earlier question — what's with you? — we ask another one: What exactly has changed?
What, in the last five days, put Bryant back in the fans' good graces?
It can't be Bryant's statement after the opener that fans "didn't really understand the whole situation because I'm keeping my mouth shut like I should." Can it?
After all, it was Bryant's coast-to-coast media blitz back at the end of May that started the brouhaha, when he appeared on every radio program but the Food News show to make it clear how unhappy he was. That doesn't quite qualify as keeping his mouth shut; neither does his more restrained approach since, given that certain media outlets (hint: four letters, starts with E, ends with N, with an SP in the middle) seem to find ways to report his every thought without actually quoting him. He talks, someone else's lips move. Who knew Bryant's many skills included ventriloquism?
And, of course, how difficult is it to understand? The team's not as good as it used to be, so he wants out.
So what changed?
Surely it can't be that various teams from here to eternity — specifically the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards, and quite probably the D-League's Fort Wayne Mad Ants — have all come out and said, no, they aren't interested in trading for Bryant.
All that means is that a bunch of other teams aren't willing to deal with Bryant (or perhaps are just acting cool to the idea as a negotiating position). It certainly doesn't change the specifics of the situation here.
Bryant still hasn't moved from his trade request. Jerry Buss hasn't amended his foolish start-of-training-camp statement that he was listening to offers — a move interpreted as his attempt to start getting fans used to life without Bryant, but one that merely cranked up the distraction level. And understandably, Phil Jackson still isn't leaping to take his standing offer of a contract extension, given the way things could spin out of control at any moment.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are actually playing basketball — and not looking too bad, three games in, though it's way to early to draw conclusions — but so far, that's all eclipsed by the drama, the uncertain, the World of Kobe.
So what changed?
From here, it appears the only real difference between opening night and home game No. 2 was the game in between, that stunning 119-98 win at Phoenix.
Win one game, silence the boos, and get a free pass on everything that's happened.
This is a pretty good deal. (What the heck does he get now that the Lakers have won two games?)
It's also a pretty old message in the NBA — talent trumps everything else, including responsibility — but that doesn't make it any more palatable, or less disappointing.
For a few moments on opening night, it appeared Bryant might actually be held accountable for putting the team in an awkward position.
In as few moments on Sunday, it became clear that was far too much to hope for.
What the heck are you people thinking?
This query is addressed specifically to those in the standard Staples Center sellout of 18,997 at the Lakers' 119-109 win over Utah on Sunday night, though it probably applies to a larger segment of Lakers fandom, as well.
You'll recall that during last week's season opener, Kobe Bryant actually was greeted with boos by the Lakers Faithful.
Since this was unprecedented — you don't boo the Golden Child on his home court — it was widely interpreted as reflecting a degree of unhappiness with Mr. Bryant and his stated desire to get outta town, a desire that led to an offseason of turmoil and still has plenty of time to reassert itself as a season of turmoil.
Put more simply, the fans decided to make it known they weren't OK with anything Kobe did, though it may have seemed that way for a number of years.
Turns out this strong, principled stance lasted, oh, whole minutes.
Bryant was cheered by the end of that game — hey, he scored 45 points — and by Sunday night, normalcy had returned.
Bryant's name was greeted in pregame introductions as it always has been at Staples Center, which is to say with cheers louder and longer than for any other Laker — louder and longer, probably, than anything short of an announcement that the arena is serving free beer for a quarter (and you probably shouldn't hold your breath for that one).
In five short days, Bryant was back to being the star of stars, the master of all that surveyed him, the man who can do no wrong.
And so, in considering that earlier question — what's with you? — we ask another one: What exactly has changed?
What, in the last five days, put Bryant back in the fans' good graces?
It can't be Bryant's statement after the opener that fans "didn't really understand the whole situation because I'm keeping my mouth shut like I should." Can it?
After all, it was Bryant's coast-to-coast media blitz back at the end of May that started the brouhaha, when he appeared on every radio program but the Food News show to make it clear how unhappy he was. That doesn't quite qualify as keeping his mouth shut; neither does his more restrained approach since, given that certain media outlets (hint: four letters, starts with E, ends with N, with an SP in the middle) seem to find ways to report his every thought without actually quoting him. He talks, someone else's lips move. Who knew Bryant's many skills included ventriloquism?
And, of course, how difficult is it to understand? The team's not as good as it used to be, so he wants out.
So what changed?
Surely it can't be that various teams from here to eternity — specifically the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards, and quite probably the D-League's Fort Wayne Mad Ants — have all come out and said, no, they aren't interested in trading for Bryant.
All that means is that a bunch of other teams aren't willing to deal with Bryant (or perhaps are just acting cool to the idea as a negotiating position). It certainly doesn't change the specifics of the situation here.
Bryant still hasn't moved from his trade request. Jerry Buss hasn't amended his foolish start-of-training-camp statement that he was listening to offers — a move interpreted as his attempt to start getting fans used to life without Bryant, but one that merely cranked up the distraction level. And understandably, Phil Jackson still isn't leaping to take his standing offer of a contract extension, given the way things could spin out of control at any moment.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are actually playing basketball — and not looking too bad, three games in, though it's way to early to draw conclusions — but so far, that's all eclipsed by the drama, the uncertain, the World of Kobe.
So what changed?
From here, it appears the only real difference between opening night and home game No. 2 was the game in between, that stunning 119-98 win at Phoenix.
Win one game, silence the boos, and get a free pass on everything that's happened.
This is a pretty good deal. (What the heck does he get now that the Lakers have won two games?)
It's also a pretty old message in the NBA — talent trumps everything else, including responsibility — but that doesn't make it any more palatable, or less disappointing.
For a few moments on opening night, it appeared Bryant might actually be held accountable for putting the team in an awkward position.
In as few moments on Sunday, it became clear that was far too much to hope for.
by David Lassen
VenturaCountryStar.com
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