The Truth

BY: DR. FOREST LEWIS

There are many basketball fans who will quickly tell you that Kobe Bryant is the greatest player in the NBA today!

He is the 2007-08 MVP winner; and Bryant has led his fledgling team to the playoffs. The last time the Lakers were in the finals, they had a Center by the name of Shaquille O'Neil. O'Neil led the Los Angles Lakers to three consecutive championships. I know that I said, Shaquille O'Neil, and not Kobe Bryant!

O'Neil at the time, was the most dominant player in the league. Powerhouse does not adequately describe him. With Shaq on your team, you knew that all you needed to do was to ride on his back, and the "Big Aristotle" would lead you to the promise land. Ask Dwayne Wade. O'Neil left L.A., after the Lakers lost to Detroit, and landed with the Miami Heat. In 2006, there was Mr. O'Neil, standing once again in the winner circle, sporting a "Fourth NBA Championship Ring."

Kobe has three rings; and he can thank Shaq for each and everyone of them. The Lakers are back in the championship this year. They are playing the Boston Celtics, known today, as "The C's." Personally, I hate that term. They are the Boston Celtics, stop with the "Hip Hop Names."

A number of people have compared Kobe Bryant to "His Airness, Michael Jordan." That to me is sacrilegious. Kobe is nowhere near Michael. MJ was the quintessential NBA player. His teammates knew that he had the ability to "Will Them A Win." The same can not be said of Kobe Bryant.

With Michael, it was all about "Team." Kobe just worked out this formula, this year. It took the man almost eleven years in the NBA to learn that one player "Can Not Defeat Five Other Players."

Kobe speaks three languages, Italian, Spanish and English. So, the man is not stupid. Arrogant, "Hell Yes."

His team is now down to the Celtics, 3-1. The chances of LA catching Boston are slim and none; and slim just left town.

Kobe unlike Michael, is a cocky so-and-so. Cocky is a great thing to have, providing you can back it up. MJ could back up his "Swagger." Thus far, when the chips are truly down, Kobe has shown that he can't.

I watched him being interviewed after his team lost the second game to Boston. He smirked, "We Are A Young Team." He intimated that being down two games to none was nothing to worry about. I thought, this guy needs to get his ass whipped. He needs a lesson in humility, real bad!

My prayers are about to be answered. The Lakers were cruising to a huge win last night, when all of a sudden the wheels came off. A shocked hometown crowd watched in horror as the Los Angles Lakers imploded on the court. L.A. was leading the Celtics by as many as 24-points, before Boston turned on the afterburners and torched the Lakers!

Final score, Boston 97--Los Angles--91! Ouch!

The Celtics made history on two fronts on Thursday night. One, they mounted the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history, and two, they kicked L.A.'s ass on their home court.

In a post-game interview, a smart alecky Bryant said that he and his teammates would "Whine." Seconds later, he clarified, he said that he and his teammates would drink "Some Wine, and Do Doubles Of Whiskey, And Come Back On Sunday."

MJ would never have said something that stupid. Then, MJ would not be in a hole, down three games to one either!

This series has shown us that Kobe Bryant is not in Michael's league. Don't get me wrong, because he is a good player. He is just not "A Great Player." Great players lead their teams to championships. And I don't want to hear, "You Don't have To Win A Championship, In Order To Be A Great Player."

Ask Charles Barkley how does it feel to not have a Championship ring? Ask Karl Malone the same question. Both of these men were good players. Just don't call them great.

The pain will end for the Lakers on Sunday. My money is on the "Leprechaun."

Have a nice Summer, Kobe!