The Curious Case of Kobe Bryant, Part I

"Hate" is a very strong word. In fact, in everyday language, most people use it in a manner that is far different from its intended use. The word is tossed around carelessly and has lost most of its strength and meaning. Hate [heyt] – verb (used with object) : to dislike intensely or passionately. I hate you! I hated that movie. I HATE my parents.

But in some cases, “hate” is used appropriately in a situation that really deserves the full power of the word. One such case is the feelings I harbor towards the Los Angeles Lakers and, more specifically, Kobe Bryant.

My hatred for Kobe & the Lakers goes past that of your traditional rivalry. Yes, Portland and Los Angeles are cities on the west coast, and yes, I'm still a little sensitive 10 years after the most soul crushing quarter of basketball I've ever witnessed. But my distaste towards Kobe is not rooted in his Blazer-killing past or his geography. My animosity towards Bryant transcends sport and has more to do with his off the court persona than it does his play in the arena.

I hate the way Kobe smirks after every basket. I hate the way he talks trash even when no one is listening. I hate his 100% bullsh*t, sugar-coated post-game interviews. I hate how he tries so hard to be like the legends. I even hate the way he throws a towel into an old lady's face (okay, maybe not the last one). In general, I disagree with his flamboyant and disrespectful approach to the game of basketball.

It didn't have to be this way. I love the game of basketball, and I love to see the game played skillfully and gracefully. Because of this I can't help but recognize and admire Kobe's masterful performances on a basketball court. Kobe is a force - a deadly shooter, intelligent, playmaker, vicious finisher and 4th quarter closer all wrapped up in one player. In fact, at one time, Kobe had the tools to be not only a great player, but the icon of a generation - my generation. He's articulate, handsome, clutch, high-flying and a winner.

But somewhere along the way, something went wrong. Despite 4 championships, 1 Regular-Season MVP, 1 Finals MVP and 11 All-Star appearances, the legacy of Kobe Bryant still remains clouded. Where is his place in the history of the game? How will he be remembered? Players and fans around the NBA have a tremendous respect for Bryant, but there are still just as many Kobe haters as there are fans of #24. The truth is, Bryant is one of the most polarizing figures in the NBA, if not all of sports. To figure out why, one must trace Kobe's path from a dusty gym in Ardmore, Pennsylvania in 1995 all the way to a champagne soaked locker room in the Staples Center in June 2009.

Part II Coming Soon

Lebron & The Cavs: A Look Into the Crystal Ball

When the Cleveland Cavaliers were eliminated from the NBA playoffs by the Orlando Magic in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals last Saturday, it’s safe to say fans across the NBA all felt at least a shred of sympathy for the Cleveland faithful. After enduring more than 4 decades of futility in 3 major professional sports (the NBA, NFL and MLB), this was the year a Cleveland-based franchise finally seemed destined for greatness.

Less than 2 weeks ago, the 2008-09 Cavaliers appeared to have all the ingredients for success. They had the star player (All-Galaxy MVP LeBron James), the strategy (Coach of the Year Mike Brown), the sidekick (All-Star Mo Williams) and the role players (Delonte West, Anderson Varejao and Joe Smith, to name a few). They also had the backing of an entire city, a 66-16 regular season record and first and second round sweeps in the playoffs. While Kobe Bryant and the Lakers seemed to pose a threat in The Finals, the Cavs were a lock to breeze through the Eastern Conference for their date with destiny (and Kobe). Right? Think again. Nike can finally trash the puppets, once and for all (at least until next season).

The Cavs must now face the reality that they find themselves sitting at home thinking of what could have been. The culprit for their early exit? A number of things which any analyst could blab about for weeks: the dominance of Dwight Howard, the versatility of Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu and the disappearance of (No) Mo Williams are just a few. But I am not writing about LeBron & Co. to reminisce on what could have been. I'm instead exploring what they still can be.

The three most important questions facing the Cavs for next season and beyond are: 1) How do we re-sign LeBron James? 2) What in the world can we do to re-sign LeBron James? and 3) Holy crap what the f*ck are we gonna do if we don't re-sign LeBron James? And though LeBron says the Cavs' playoff exit won't affect his future with the team, we all know a championship is the ultimate solution for any dysfunction within the franchise. In other words, championships are the duct tape of the pro-sports world. Any problem plaguing your franchise (financial, moral, etc.) will disappear when your team wins it all. And for the Cavs, this has yet to happen.

So, what now? Has this year's heartbreak all but punched LeBron's ticket out of Cleveland? Or is this latest defeat only more fuel on the fire that is LeBron James' competitive spirit?

There is ample evidence to suggest that Cavalier fans can back away from that cliff, and put down the sharp object. The Cavs are in as good of a position to retain LeBron as ever, if for only one reason: Cleveland still remains the perfect setting for LeBron to cement his place as one of the most revered players in the history of the NBA.

LeBron and the MJ Factor

It is impossible to deny the fact that Michael Jordan has had a tremendous effect on the world of professional basketball. But it is also safe to say that no group of players has been so greatly affected by His Airness as the elite ballers in the league today. During Jordan's glory years (1990 to 1998), LeBron and his peers (Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony etc.) were at the age when you really begin to appreciate, and imitate, professional athletes. LeBron (who was aged 6 to 14 during Jordan's 6 championships) falls into this group of players who couldn't help but grow up idolizing Jordan's game-winners, high flying dunks and clutch playoff performances. LeBron wears #23 and Nike sneakers. Coincidence?

But the most impressive aspect of Jordan's career wasn't simply his ability to win. It was his singular dominance of what appeared to be a team-oriented sport, where a great team is always supposed to prevail against a great player. Sure, Jordan had a great coach in Phil Jackson and a Hall of Fame teammate in Scottie Pippen. But what people remember most about the Chicago Bulls of the 90s is Jordan's dominance. Jordan not only won 6 MVPs, but he was also named Finals MVP during every championship run. To put it simply, the Bulls were Jordan's team, and the NBA was Jordan’s league.

Flash forward to 2009. With visions of MJ flashing in their heads, how could the top players of today not want to win like Mike? Yes, they know they need successful offensive and defensive schemes, a savvy front office and blue collar players to win it all. But they want a team built around them so that they (like Jordan) can be the toast of the league.

Why is this relevant to The Chosen One’s future? Because Cleveland presents LeBron James with the perfect chance to write his own Jordan-esque narrative. Not only are the Cavs LeBron James' team, but Cleveland is LeBron’s city. LeBron grew up and played high school ball in nearby Akron, and many Clevelanders joke today that their economy is based around The King’s presence in their city. However, such a statement may not be far from the truth.

This rust-belt city (nicknamed the Mistake on the Lake) needs a hero, a phoenix to rise from the ashes of more than forty years of pro sports fruitlessness. And LeBron James fills that role better than any player ever will. And while the bright lights of New York, Los Angeles and Miami might beckon, LeBron could never create a legacy in those cities like he can back in Ohio. All those locales have already seen all-time sports legends pass through their doors (Ruth in N.Y, Magic in L.A. and Marino in Miami to start).

The King may seem a little moody lately, and his allegiances may sometimes be questioned. And even the most stubborn Clevelander can admit that Shaker Heights is not Hollywood or South Beach. But when it’s all said and done, LeBron recognizes the fact that his legend can only reach its full potential if he stays in Cleveland to finish what he has started. And at 24 years-old and entering his 7th season in the league, he still has plenty of time to write his storybook ending. The city of Cleveland may witness something special after all.