Letting Go

For years the face of the Lakers, and before LeBron the face of the NBA, has been Kobe Bryant. He scores 81 points and he turned into the black mamba later in his career putting the smack down on teams late in games, not to mention the 5 rings in his collection. Just one shy of Michael Jordan. He is arguably the greatest Laker ever and a sure fire hall of famer.

However.

Lets not forget the other things Kobe has done. He has ran a top ten all time player off his team in Shaq, because there wasn't enough room for both egos. He yelled a homophobic slur at a red after a technical foul. He has caused countless headaches for Phil Jackson, and now we can add to the list. He gave Mike Brown a death stare and that was it. When Brown looked at that stare he saw the grim reaper, and less than 24 hours later he was packing up his desk. Kobe has made it very clear that this is his team, and there isn't room for anyone except him and his giant ego.

That formula has worked aside from the feuds and controversy, because the Lakers have won. Winning heals all wounds. But what happens when the winning stops? What happens when Kobe can no longer get the job done night after night? What happens when Kobe breaks down?

Kobe is 34. He has been in the league for 16 years, since I was 3 years old. Not to mention he has had surgery on both knees and now has a bad ankle. He is an aging superstar, and everyone sees it. Except for him.

Lakers management clearly sees it. They realize when Kobe is gone they will need a young star player to build around, and to replace Bryant as the face of the franchise. This is where Dwight Howard enters the picture. Kobe has proved he can't play nice when he feels threatened and everyone sees this will be Dwight's team very soon and it will be given to him, but what if Kobe refuses to let go?

Superstars are the last to know that they don't have it anymore. Fans, management, media, and other players see it plain as day. But the star? He always thinks he has it. Michael Jordan tried to play for the wizards for gods sake. And Kobe has made it clear this is not Dwight's team and certainly not Mike Browns team, as long as he is around.

Don't get it twisted Kobe won't let go, and it will be a mess. Management will realize that the Kobe era is over and look to give the team to Dwight, but Kobe wont let go. I'm sure he will blast the guys upstairs and maybe even Dwight in a last ditch attempt to proclaim that it is still his team. This wont end well and may even end up with Bryant being traded. Its a ticking time bomb.

Letting go is hard to do Kobe, but you had a good run. Now don't run Dwight out of time like you did to Shaq. Let it be Dwight's team, and Dwight's city. Let us watch you go in to the sunset without seeing a top 10 player get traded because you are disgruntled. Let your ego take a break.

Let it go Kobe.