Thoughts on Kobe Bryant -- Post-Dwight Howard Era (2012-13)

Kobe Bryant on Lakers' Owner Dr Jerry Buss - Memorial Service - (2/21/13)

Kobe Bean Bryant - You either love him or hate him; shades of grey don't enter into the equation when most people voice an opinion on Kobe, it's either all-black or all-white. I recently came across comments made on a facebook page that pointed to Kobe's personality and selfish ways as being the primary reasons why Dwight Howard wanted nothing to do with entrusting his future to the Los Angeles Lakers. Greg Newell, son of the legendary Pete Newell, responded to the vitriolic comments about Kobe as follows:

This subject of Kobe has been discussed intensely on here. One thing I've come to find out; no one sits on the fence with Kobe. People LOVE him unconditionally!! Or the other side points out pretty much the same as you have. What's gonna be interesting to see is, once Kobe retires from the Game; who comes out (one of his former teammates) and espouses or exposes him? Take your pick? - Greg Newell

After reading Greg's thoughts, I made the following statement:

Kobe's already been exposed - Phil Jackson did it in his book, "The Last Season: A Team in Search of its Soul," but I think Bobby is being too hard on the Kobe we see today. I really think Kobe has matured in the latter stages of his career. I've been as hard on Kobe as anyone, but I also know from personal experience how tough Michael Jordan could be on his teammates. You either could withstand the force of his personality, or you couldn't. Many wilted, those who could handle the pressure, earned his respect. Rick Barry was no peach. I'm sure we can think of many others. Kobe came into a man's world as a boy - NBA is a hard world to come into as a boy - He's matured more than most give him credit for - I enjoy listening to Kobe talk about the game. I thought his comments at Jerry Buss' memorial were incredible. A man should be judged for his entire career, not just part of it. Hopefully, we all grow as we experience different situations. For some it happens sooner, for others, later. I've got nothing but respect for "Bean" - them last two chips didn't come from him being a selfish prick. 

I also referenced an article that highlighted Phil Jackson's views during his first tenure with the Lakers, as well as his second tenure - "Phil Jackson's new book focuses a lot on (who else?) Kobe Bryant"


Phil Jackson saw my comments and tweeted the link to his followers with some typical PJ jargon:

“@ClarenceGaines2: wrote about @KobeBryant on Greg Newell's (P Newell's son) facebook page. (cont) http://t.co/CEXm2uA4sK” Good ass-ment CG2
— Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11) July 7, 2013

Those who clicked on the link I provided on twitter read the above comments on Kobe, but most didn't read my follow-up comments on Kobe in response to another negative post.

Kobe is on the tail end of his career - We really have no idea of how he's going to bounce back from this devastating injury to his achilles tendon, given his basketball and chronological age. Everybody thinks he's coming back at the same level because he's Kobe. Lots of mileage on that body. No matter what you do, father time waits for no one. Contrary to what you think, Mike, Bean and LeBron James would love playing with one another. Their games complement each other quite nicely. Basketball is a TEAM game. You can't win championships alone. Bean has been on 5 championship teams - he understands the deal. Kobe has had the privilege of being coached by Phil Jackson for all 5 championships. If you think some of Phil's philosophies and thoughts about the game and teamwork have not become a part of Kobe's psyche, than I think you underestimate the man & the influence of the man who coached him for all of those championships.

Adrian Wojnarowski had a good take on the dynamics involved in Dwight Howard choosing the Houston Rockets -  Click and enjoy Woj's viewpoint - "Rockets Give Dwight Howard What Lakers, Kobe Wouldn't: Unconditional Love"

Much will be written on Kobe Bryant's legacy and career in future years. Like Greg Newell, I think it will be interesting to see what those who had inside access to Kobe feel about him. But does it really matter?  We all know that you can't please everybody. In reading or thinking about people who have weathered the storm, it's best to reflect on a passage from Teddy Roosevelt's famous "Man in the Arena" speech:

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.