Daily Fix: Can Somebody Please Make Kobe Bryant Go Away?

Which way does Kobe’s world turn? Or should I be asking on whose world it is that the Lakers revolve? Big Chief Triangle’s? Mitch Kupchak’s? Dr. “DUI” Buss’s? Or Kobe’s? Or perhaps the question I really should be asking is why any of this matters?

Honestly, it really doesn’t.

With or without Kobe the Lakers are little more than a marginal playoff contender in the Western Conference. Kobe, for all his gifts and jaw dropping talent, just might be the most petulant and selfish superstar to ever play in the NBA. From forcing Shaq, the most dominant physical presence in the history of the league, out of LA to his basically throwing game seven of the Lakers-Suns first round series in 2006 by sullenly and stubbornly refusing to take a shot in the second half to his continuing inability to trust his teammates or make them any better, Bryant is probably barely worth the substantial baggage that he brings to any team.

This latest tantrum and melodramatic attempt to back away from the absurd maelstrom he initiated, is neither the first nor the last time Kobe Bryant has publicly demonstrated his belief that it’s all about him all the time. Since Big Chief Triangle’s — a coach who has never won anything without Jordan or Shaq on his squad — first reaction was to coddle and massage Bryant, is it any wonder Kobe believes that?

Like usual, Kurt from Forum Blue and Gold says it best when he says this latest episode is all about power.

Power.

It’s all about power. The last few days of the Lakers soap opera has been about power, the power to control the direction of the franchise. The power of trust. Kobe’s power as the star player. Jerry Buss’ power as the owner. Jim Buss’ power as the heir apparent. Mitch Kupchack’s power. Jeannie Buss’ power. Jerry West’s power. Magic’s power. Phil Jackson’s power to try to bring it all back together.

And I’m sick of it all, weary of the four-year-olds fighting over the sandbox.

So we have the media flipping out about a power struggle over who gets to call the shots for a squad that finished 7th in the Western Conference this season, 8th last, and got knocked out of the playoffs in the first round both seasons. I know the Western Conference Finals suck this season but it’s gotta be better than sweating over The Lake Show.

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