HOW WRONG we were to think the Los Angeles Lakers needed a pending sexual assault trial for Kobe Bryant to stir up fan interest for the new NBA season.
Actually, we weren't wrong. That idea came from dot-com doofus Mark Cuban, owner of the There's No "D" in Dallas Mavericks. The moral simpleton suggested this summer that Bryant's status as criminal defendant would make him must-see TV this NBA season.
Not all of us think any publicity is good publicity.
If anything, the underweight, weak-legged, over-stressed but still aloof and arrogant Bryant is a far less compelling basketball figure -- if you like your Michael Jordan wannabe All-Stars to show up for tonight's opener against the Mavericks in shape, on time and without serious distraction.
Worse, if there were any hope that the Lakers would fall in line and support Bryant, if for no other reason than to circle the wagons and protect themselves from further mega-media scrutiny, the exact opposite seems to be happening. Bryant's absences, poor conditioning and me-first offensive mentality are under fresh attack.
The problem is, it's a Shaq Attack.
We'd like to thank our sports reporter colleagues in Los Angeles for tape recording this amazing tit-for-tat spat between Shaq and Kobe. David Stern wasn't happy when Cuban spouted off about Bryant's trial being good publicity for the NBA, but there's little doubt that this petty but nonetheless truth-based feud between Shaq and Kobe will prompt interest from casual fans.
Now, it's about the team. Now, it's about basketball. Now, it's about sharing the ball or not sharing the ball. Now, it's about whether Phil Jackson can Zen master these guys back into submission. If this doesn't make for terrific reality TV for the NBA, then all the Lakers need to do now is bring back Dennis Rodman, which was weirdly rumored during the preseason.
Here are some excerpts:
Shaq on why the Lakers are his team: "Everybody knows that. You [media] guys may give it to [Bryant] like you've given him everything else his whole lifetime, but this is the Diesel's ship."
Shaq on Bryant's being out of shape and shooting too much: "... if you [Bryant] ain't right [physically], don't be trying to go out there and get right on our expense. Use the people out there, then when you get right you [can] do what you do."
Bryant to Shaq: "I know how to play my guard spot. He can worry about the low post."
