I hate Kobe. This isn’t the first time you’ve heard this. Now that I think about it, I never really liked Kobe Bryant. It started back in 2000. Every year the Sacramento Kings would lose to the LA Lakers and every year I wished they would win. There was something about this guy I just didn’t like. Now I loved Michael Jordan during his time as a player. He truly had a special gift to energize and make you feel like you were really a part of the game. I remember watching him in my apartment complex with my family at night when he would play during the playoffs. He was a true winner. He was the guy you wanted to see win. I digress. This is totally different than Kobe Bryant. Kobe Bryant is an acquitted rapist who cheated on his wife and single handedly cheats the game daily. Now is he the first player to do these things? -Probably not. Do I take away from the fact that this man is extremely driven and hardworking- no. However, you could be the most diligent crack dealer in the neighborhood. Does that make it right that you’re working so hard to do bad? I don’t think so. Comparing Kobe Bryant to a crack dealer might sound disrespectful. Nevertheless, I feel that they both represent the darker parts of society. I think we as a society are too quick to forgive our celebrities and stars.
The man clearly represents evil. This might seem harsh but lets look at the facts. We know that Kobe is a selfish, me first player that controls the LA Lakers organization. Phil Jackson even mentioned that Kobe thrives off anger and is fueled with rage in his book “The Last Season”. The man scored the most points of his career during his rape trial. I wonder where his motivation came from? Now some might say he won 3 championships prior to this event occurring. This is true. However, what most of America didn’t know during this time was that behind the smile of the young black man with the baby fro, was a dark monster who was driven by anger and addicted to sex. He basically fooled America into thinking he was Mister Perfect. Luckily for us and unfortunately for Mr. Bryant, his true behavior was exposed when he cheated on his wife. Now this isn’t the first time that the American culture has seen the “demise” of a seemingly indestructible character. This year Tiger Woods was also exposed as a lusty African-American golfer with a desire to score “a hole in one”. No pun intended, these crimes are terrible and add to the already predominant stereotype that black men are adulterous, sex-crazed individuals.
Kobe Bryant is a snake. His play on the court proves this. This is why he is called the “Black Mamba”. Some don’t know that this is the world’s deadliest snake. When Kobe doesn’t get a call, he violently yells at the refs and displays his frustration. When there are few times that a defender outplays him or makes him look bad, he is often known to strike out at his opponents. He often gets away with this. When Tony Allen defended him excellently on Game 4 of The NBA Finals, he kicked him in the throat, literally. Like a snake, he also pretends and acts around others. Just last year he went to war with his defender Ron Artest. During that match up Kobe proceeded to strike him in the throat with an elbow when he felt that Ron Artest was guarding him too closely. Somehow he escaped without a technical foul. This year, Ron Artest is his teammate and he can be often seen hugging and congratulating him like they are the best of pals. This contrasting behavior delineates unauthentic nature and makes him untrustworthy. Let’s not forget about how the perfect basketball one two punch of Kobe and Shaq came to an end in 2003. Prior to this ending, everything looked great on the outside. Kobe could be seen smiling and embracing Shaq as if the two were brothers. When the doors closed on this partnership however, Kobe unleashed his venom and bitterly attacked and alienated Shaq and once again portrayed his true colors. To rap up, I don’t even trust this guy when he smiles. Something about it is not sincere.
For some reason the Black community loves to hold up Kobe Bryant as the ultimate example of a Black champion. He is successful, rich, and a basketball champion. Although these seem as the requirements of the perfect black gentleman, why is it that Kobe Bryant is not even married to a black woman? What has he done for the black community? These are questions that need to be answered and observed closely.
In conclusion, due to the unethical conduct, maddening drive, and false behavior, I feel that Kobe Bryant is a horrible example of a Black Champion. He is definitely not the best basketball player of all time. Michael Jordan is a much better player and man than Kobe. Hopefully this touches you and inspires you to think differently of the man who is being hailed as a hero. If things go dim for the Celtics, and the Lakers win tomorrow night, I hope you will think twice before professing your devotion to this demon.