Kobe was on PTI for 5 good minutes...

[JMarkJohns]

As much as I dislike the player and the person, I can't say anything wrong with him today. He threw himself to the sharks and answered all but one question, seemingly with honesty and full forthrightness...

He talked on the Malone/Kobe fued, stating that it's on record the he wouldn't give details of the fued, but would only acknowledge their was a rift. He stated that any details came from Malone and his camp...

He talked on the media's perception and their "politcal agenda" against him. He said some things were taken out of context and stood by his claim that he never ran Jackson and Shaq out of time.

He talked about misktakes he'd have changed, but when asked about specific, he bit his lip and said, "Well, there's the obvious ones..." and then went around the question.

He impressed me today and I'm not easily impressed. If it's on rerun, catch it if you can.

[budd1e_lee]

I wasnt impressed, he dodged everything. He said "check the records" pertaining to the facts of the fued with Malone, but whos to say that Kobe, the keniving little a-hole that he is didnt leak it off the record to someone? He also used the term "blown out of proportion" in relation to dragging Shaq's name into the rape case. Now how can that get blown out of proportion, you said it, nobody embellished what was said, and THAT is on the record. For every wrong that Kobe does he tries to find an excuse for it or someone else who has done similar things and use the martyr routine, "well he did it, but IM the one getting in trouble?" Kobe you would suit yourself better to do what you say youre going to do and just go out and play basketball. Put the past behind you, shut your mouth and play. Dont comment on anything that comes out from last year, because everything you've said to this point about anything has not helped you in any way.

[JMarkJohns]

I don't think he dodged question's...maybe he didn't give the answers you wanted to hear, but they are two different things.

The only question he "dodged" was the naming of the specific things he would change. He answered safely...can't fault him for that.

I've covered close to 100 games in my young career (mostly HS, some Juco) and have rarely seen such candor. The lines didn't seem rehersed and the questions were great ones. I can tell you, interviewees rarely delve into specifics, but generalize everything. Kobe talked on specific topics, answering them with specific detail...all up until they got personal...again, can't fualt the man for that.

As far as him leaking things...I went back and reread the articles and it was in fact Malone and his agent credited with the info...so it seems he was telling the truth there. I still dislike Kobe...ALOT...but his willingness to do this and his approachability during did impress me. I've seen it twice as it was on the afternoon SC and each viewing reaffirms my post.

[HiCat]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/basketball/10411990.htm?1c

Latest Kobe spat surprises Shaq
O'Neal sees soap opera clearly now.

"I'm very surprised how it came out," O'Neal said. "I've never seen anything like that before. I thought him and Karl were best friends."

Last season, Malone's first with the Lakers, "Karl was . . . the liaison between me and that guy," added O'Neal, who steadfastly refuses to speak Bryant's name. "I was always under the impression they were closer than they were."

"Many of us were under the impression that Bryant was more mature than he is. Even if the facts are exactly as he has presented them, a grown-up would have confronted Malone in private and moved on."

"It's sad to say but Bryant is so blinded by his own reflection, he can't see that the person who comes out looking the worst in all of this is him.

Malone, said O'Neal, "is a legend. If you don't like Karl Malone, there's something wrong with you."

Of course, O'Neal says the same thing about himself. But his point is well-taken."


Ah yes the story is now a soap opera. This is my view of Kobe's bs.. Malone backed up Kobe during his Colorado "affair". Karl also was the voice of reason between the guys last year.. but now Kobe is smack dab in another spat.. unreal...

Stay tuned for "As the Lakers Burn"...the Kobe Malone hour... tone it down Kobe..this s...t gets old..

[JMarkJohns]

Shaq's blinded by his own something too, HATRED...

How's about an untainted opinion...

[muffley]

Malone, said O'Neal, "is a legend. If you don't like Karl Malone, there's something wrong with you."


People like Karl Malone???

[killervibe]

Not sure what show I saw him on tonight, I dont think it was PTI (I was channel surfing), but the commentators were really going after him. A couple times I actually found myself wanting to stick up for Kobe and I hate the punk. It seemed as if they were fishing for a particular answer and werent going to be satisfied until he coughed it up. I thought he handled himself pretty well. I still dont like him in the least and think he is a major drama queen.. but for a single moment in time I could sympathize with him.

[SnowCat]

On around the horny, they got after Kobe pretty good.

On Pardon The Idiots, Tony Cornholer tried to, well, basically cornhole Kobe in a loving way. Michael Stillborn was behaving like exactly that, like he was stillborn as far as the topic was concerned...

Anyway, I agree with Budd1eLee, Kobe came off to me more as a politician trying to pass off a terrible sex orgy as a "getting to know each other" party. I also have to agree, Kobe's getting hit pretty hard by the press, but on the show he really dodged the questions than anything else.

[JMarkJohns]

On around the horny, they got after Kobe pretty good.

On Pardon The Idiots, Tony Cornholer tried to, well, basically cornhole Kobe in a loving way. Michael Stillborn was behaving like exactly that, like he was stillborn as far as the topic was concerned...

Anyway, I agree with Budd1eLee, Kobe came off to me more as a politician trying to pass off a terrible sex orgy as a "getting to know each other" party. I also have to agree, Kobe's getting hit pretty hard by the press, but on the show he really dodged the questions than anything else.

I ain't gonna defend Kobe...but, I believe some people are making too big a deal out of this. If Malone did ask fer a hug and then said he was hunting fer little Mexican girls, that could be understood as a pass. I don't blame Kobe for reacting the way he did.

I read all the articles from the LA Times on the topic all all quoted Malone or Manley (Malone's agent/representative) when giving specifics of the "event".

Kobe took the questions and didn't brow beat but once and I don't blame him, considering it's none of the publics business what he wishes he could take back.

Kobe will be, from here on out, heavily scrutinized for everything that's said or done pertaining to the Lakers, so he better get used to the attention. That said, it isn't always right.

I frankly don't care to factor in that he cheated on his wife, then stuck up for her...so he made a mistake and has learned from it. Who are we to question otherwise. He fumbled the ball a couple times, but seems to have learned. Today(yesterday actually), He stuck his nech out and answered the tough questions as pertaining to common knowledge...I applaud him for that. It took a man to do such a thing and I fer one am glad to see him realize that.

He could have hid and let things blow over...that's what the old Kobe would have done; but he didn't.

And finally, I do believe that the charges were dropped against him, so right or not...he is "innocent" of the rape charge. I've read every single piece on the case and am thoroughly convinced she enticed and teased to pocket the doe. She was more messed up than Kobe and there was very little physical evidense to prove anything other than consensual sex occured. Little more than the word of a loony who had spent time in rehab and a mental hospital for attempting suicide. The word of a girl who looked to have had sex BEFORE said encounter with one person and AFTER said rape with another, but all before the rape-kit exam the day after...

I'd put little stock into her words...

[budd1e_lee]

And finally, I do believe that the charges were dropped against him, so right or not...he is "innocent" of the rape charge. I've read every single piece on the case and am thoroughly convinced she enticed and teased to pocket the doe. She was more messed up than Kobe and there was very little physical evidense to prove anything other than consensual sex occured. Little more than the word of a loony who had spent time in rehab and a mental hospital for attempting suicide. The word of a girl who looked to have had sex BEFORE said encounter with one person and AFTER said rape with another, but all before the rape-kit exam the day after...

I'd put little stock into her words...

That's because everything from this case that was made known to the public was leaked by Kobe's defense. That's what they wanted people to think, whether that's the case or not, I'm not one to judge based on very little fact, and a whole lot of illegaly leaked information all coming from one side. He may or may not have raped her, but I've had a terrible dislike for Kobe since he entered the league, and none of this recent stuff has done anything to change that, only solidify it. Kobe is a manipulator, a liar and should shut his damn mouth and play basketball.

[JMarkJohns]

I've read the previously unsealed items. The pieces that made ESPN's acting Judge to say, "I don't know why this was ever brought to charges..."

I have five lawyers in my family...I should have been one, but haven't got the stomach as I easily sympathize with the wronged...I can get very emotional and am easily enraged.

I've known two girls who got raped. One was rufeed and got pregnant (dumbass didn't wear protection)...the other was raped by a neighbor boy she new and grew up with...

I know their pasts and the aft'ward and this girl doesn't fit the bill. 'specially after reading the court documents...she was unfit and she knew it, thus the dropping of the charges.

[JMarkJohns]

...but I've had a terrible dislike for Kobe since he entered the league, and none of this recent stuff has done anything to change that, only solidify it. Kobe is a manipulator, a liar and should shut his damn mouth and play basketball.

That's the real issue. Ya can't look past yer distain for the man. It's fine as many are like that. Kobe just better be grateful you weren't part of his jury...

As far as the rest. Kobe is a manipulator, I'll give ya that. But...I think he was telling the truth this time.

As I stated twice above, there is nothing that links him to the ouster of the fued. It was all Malone and his reps. They were looking for a clean break and found one. Malone, is just as dirty, tricky and manipulative a person/player as Kobe, but has been such for twice as long.

I dislike both, but with evidense in hand, will choose the less offending side, which just so happens to be, Kobe's.

Ya still haven't acknowledged that Kobe could have changed since all this began. She is his wife and he is her husband. No matter what was done in the past, at that moment, they were a couple (for better or worse) and Kobe was willing to stand up for her. This is what I've gathered as a student of the League. Lots of things went into this decision, least of all was his appearance today...But I'm well versed and confident that Kobe was simply doing what any man should, when a perceived wrong has been done to their girl...

...he defended her.

[budd1e_lee]

I can look past the fact that I hate Kobe, but looking past that just leads to me think to myself, what the hell was he thinking?!?! It's obvious to me that he came on ESPN today in an attempt to clear his name, I really dont think he said anything that changed what anyone thought.

Kobe is absolutely a bold-faced liar, maybe not in this case, but several times in the past. "The shots just weren't there, I wasn't trying to prove anything." Kobe, even when the shots aren't there you take them, dont feed people this crap. He continually digs himself holes so deep that he can't ever admit wrong doing.

I hate Karl Malone, he is one of the dirtiest players in the history of the league, but I have nothing to reference his off-court personality on. And if wrong was done to his girl, should Karl's wife be calling and yelling at Vanessa for asking MORE THAN ONCE "What are you huntin cowboy.."? I have no idea who was in the wrong, and I will reitterate, Kobe needs to shut up and just play. He says very little to benefit his public image so why say anything. I respect his game, so just keep it on the court and SHUT UP Kobe.

[budd1e_lee]

Oh and in some of those previously sealed documents there was a comment from Kobe saying "well she wasn't attractive anyways" the guy finds excuses for anything he does...

[HiCat]

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/10426924.htm?1c

Part of the apology could be in reference to Bryant implying to police that O'Neal paid women to remain quiet about sexual encounters. Police reports documented Bryant made those comments.

Bryant said he didn't speak directly to O'Neal.

"I got the message to him through another person to him directly," Bryant said. "But I do plan on speaking to him directly, maybe before the game Dec. 25."

O'Neal was told of Bryant's apology and was asked if he had a response.

"No," O'Neal said. "None whatsoever."

[HiCat]

http://www.sportsfanmagazine.com/content/view/1065/29/

"What doesn’t add up is how Bryant said Malone was “like a brother” to him during the turbulent 2003-2004 season. How Malone was the only one who could crack the steely facade of an enigmatic superstar. How Malone has been one of the most stand-up citizens in the NBA for years.



By all accounts, this allegation against Malone is awfully out-of-character. People ranging from Charles Barkley to the Diesel himself have gone on record saying that they find it very hard to believe that Malone made that comment. I know, it’s hard to believe that Shaq went against Kobe on this issue."



"Kobe spent Wednesday night on the hot seat, being grilled by John Saunders during halftime of ESPN’s Pistons/Knicks game. He came off a little...how should I put this...robotic. I really don’t like piling on during a media frenzy like this, but Kobe is so insanely unlikable at this point that it’s nearly impossible to comprehend.



Since this is three future Hall-of-Famers Kobe has run out of Tinseltown, the Lakers’ faithful had better get used to their current 12-9 team, because this is exactly what they’ll be seeing throughout the rest of Bryant’s tenure in L.A. "

Lakers are now a mediocre team with little playoff chances.. at least for now.. This drama is now more interesting than the games themselves.