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On Redeem Team, Kobe has most to gain
In the wake of Athens, a disaster of Larry Brown's design, Colangelo told Bryant he needed a three-year commitment. "That wasn't a concern for me," Kobe said, "as I was down to play for three years, four years or five years, whatever it was."
On the gold medal stand in Barcelona, a Nike client named Michael Jordan shamefully used the American flag to cover the Reebok label on his uniform. Sixteen years later, Bryant won't use the flag as a weapon in the war against a rival company's bottom line.
He'll use it to recover his own good name.
Bryant is the Redeem Team's No. 1 redemption seeker, the American basketball player with the most to gain. Kobe can't dominate these Olympics the way Michael Phelps can, and he can't touch his countrymen the way Yao Ming or Liu Xiang can.
But by winning a gold medal and reestablishing America's dominance in a sport it was supposed to forever own, Bryant can go a long way toward cleansing his legacy.
No, it shouldn't work this way. Victory is too often mistaken for virtue in the athletic arena; one usually has nothing to do with the other. Kobe's play in Beijing shouldn't impact the way he's perceived — outside of Los Angeles, anyway — after years of relentlessly selfish behavior in the Lakers' employ.
Yet the only thing Americans love more than a winner is a winner wearing red, white and blue. Bryant knows this. He knows that when history measures Brown's losers from Greece against Mike Krzyzewski's prospective gold medalists from Beijing, this will emerge as the most conspicuous fact:
Kobe was there in 2008, and he wasn't there in 2004.
So this is an opportunity for Bryant as big as Beijing itself. That's why he's been quoted as saying an Olympic gold medal would mean more to him than the three NBA titles he won with the aid of Shaquille O'Neal.
"A gold medal is different because you're playing for your country," Bryant said. "There is more at stake I think. When you're playing for an NBA championship you're obviously playing for a brand, you're playing for whatever motivates you, to prove people wrong or whatever it is.
"You put on the USA uniform and you're playing for something that's bigger than all of that. You're representing your country. It's one country going up against the other one to prove who's best at playing this game. To me that holds more weight."
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| In his first Olympics, Kobe Bryant will try to lead Team USA back to prominence ... and dominance. (Andrew D. Bernstein / Getty Images) |
Bryant has put off surgery on an injured finger to play in these Games. He's still beaten up physically and emotionally from a long season that ended so painfully in Boston.
But Kobe wasn't going to miss Beijing any more than Tiger Woods was going to miss the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. Consider where Bryant was four years ago, when the U.S. prepared to hit Athens without him.
He had been accused of sexual assault. He had lost the title in five games to the Pistons. He had run off Shaq and Phil Jackson, who would call Bryant "uncoachable" in his book.
Bryant would see the assault case dropped and his coach return to the bench. What he wouldn't see was the return of his Laker dynasty.
Kobe thanked team management for standing by him during the Colorado case by eventually demanding a trade. For the viewing pleasure of the YouTube world, he ridiculed Mitch Kupchak for declining to exchange Andrew Bynum for Jason Kidd, a move that would've been even more damaging to the Lakers than the Shaq deal with Miami that Kobe forced them to make.
Bryant ended up in a far better situation than he deserved. Kupchak kept the developing Bynum, made a steal of a deal in the form of Pau Gasol, and gave his megalomaniac megastar a supporting cast strong enough to reach the Finals.
The Celtics prevailed and now Bryant enters a tournament that could do more for him and his image than a fourth NBA ring could've ever done. This is his chance to play for his would-be college coach, Krzyzewski, who couldn't get Bryant to pick Duke over the pros and who returned the favor years later when Kobe tried recruiting him to L.A.
Coach K says he adores Bryant, and you don't need a job on Madison Avenue to understand the Coach K seal of approval means a ton. If Kobe realizes he'll never again be the wholesome and bilingual two-guard next door, he has to believe that a winning performance — shaped by tough defense and an eagerness to share the ball — will improve his marketability and, perhaps, restore him as a pitchman supreme.
This much Bryant has working in his favor: He playing for the most talented Summer Games team in Beijing by far, and it's an ideal time to be an American Olympic star.
China has come under intense scrutiny for its embarrassing human rights record and a long history of denying its citizens the most basic liberties. Against this backdrop, the U.S. athletes will be cast as freedom fighters, or something like that, adding a perceived (if bogus) significance to their victories.
Bryant is expected to be both the Americans' leading scorer and their lockdown defender. He wasn't around in Athens when Allen Iverson and Stephon Marbury and Tim Duncan couldn't find the FIBA formula to save their overmatched coach, Brown, who preferred LeBron James on the bench.
LeBron will be out there this time around, and the world will be watching to see if he can back up the guarantee he made for Time. But guarantee or no guarantee, James doesn't need this one as much as Bryant does.
Kobe never stepped foot in Athens, and he's still the Redeem Team member who requires redemption most.
Member Comments
THE NBA HAS A LOT OF PLAYERS THAT SHOULDN'T BE CALL ROLE MODELA. LARRY BIRD HAS CHILDREN THAT HE REFUSES TO SUPPORT. I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT MICHAEL JORDAN DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO WITH THE WOMAN THAT WANT SUPPORT FOR HER CHILD. IS HE THE FATHER??? IS ISIAH A GREAT PERSON??? IS MAJIC JOHNSON A GREAT PERSON??? IS JASON KIDD A GREAT PERSON??? AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON AND ON.<br /><br />SHOW ME AN ATHELETE THE IS SQUEAKY CLEAN!!! <br /><br />THESE MEN MADE MISTAKES AND WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE MKSTAKES. THEY ARE MOVING ON AND ARE MAKING A CONCERTED EFFORT TO HELP OUT SOCIETY IN THE BEST WAY THEY KNOW HOW. <br /><br />INSTEAD OF WATCHING AND CRITIZING, WHY DON'T WE TRY TO HELP OUT SOCIETY IN THE BEST WAY WE KNOW HOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
laker1238/14/2008 11:04:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
"Key topic" They couldn't find the formula in 2004 without him. They are affraid of his presence that's all he needs with his work effort and his bretheren on and off the court. It is hard to conceive people today and their views of the world. just remember he wants to win for you as much as for himself its about representing your country.
Teemacc18/14/2008 3:28:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Gotta love "years of relentlessly selfish behavior" to describe Kome. The man is probably the best basketball player on the planet, but his actions on and off the court have consistently demonstrated that he is "me first, last, and always". <br /><br />I do hope that he and the "redeem team" win the gold. It will undoubtedly add to Kome's popularity, which is sad, and heighten the respect he is accorded, which is deserved. <br /><br />I don't agree with those that hate on Kobe. But, he should never be a role model either. It is hard, sometimes, to distinguish between a great ATHLETE and a great PERSON. Kome is a great athlete.
danp508/11/2008 9:30:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
kobe if i was you i will play in the nba until i get another ring and than if i want to go to italy why because i would want to show the world i can do it without shaq. don't go out a loser shaq will always have something over your head and to it's not all the time the money sometime when you want it all you lose it all take it from me think before you make a move.
kishna8/10/2008 17:29:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Yes team USA is good and has some great players. But to say that Kobe & James are the best ever isn't true in my opinion. They are good in this time era. We have had some really great players in all eras,Micheal Jordon & Magic Johnson. The list goes on and back to the beginning of NBA.NBA as a whole has many great players that is what makes the teams. One or 2 players can't ever win a game. It is always team play.. So just wake and realize this people..
mammy58/10/2008 8:33:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Also, both Kobe and Lebron needs to win for redemption(Well the whole U.S.A b-ball program) but I think especially these two because they are currently basketball's two best and most popular players. Kobe needs this to improve his legacy and Lebron needs it to establish his. What do you think about this? Chat with me - a sexual sport babe from "B l a c k W h i t e K i S S . c o m" -- for men to find real beauties, both black and white online.
8/10/2008 1:58:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
King_Kong if what you say is the truth then why was it the Boulder DAs office who came out and said that it was impossible for a fair trial for either party and that being the case they decided to not to pursue it further. I really don?t think the Boulder DAs office would have charged Kobe of the crime if it didn?t believe it had a strong case against him, nor would they have proceeded with bringing it to trial if they thought they couldn?t win the case. Also what civil suit there never was one? I find it interesting that when you people are unable to counter my intelligent arguments they resort to calling me names or leave childish posts insulting my manhood instead.<br />brownsuga08 is right, it was 3 years ago and is done and over with. There are obviously some people who will always believe Kobe is innocent and some like me who will always believe Kobe is guilty as sin. I think it?s time to agree to disagree and leave it at that and speak of it no more.<br />Kobe and the rest of the USA team are really going to need to focus on their game against China and so should we they are going to need all the support they can get since China has few billion supporters of their own. <br /><br />This is what my post should have said.
8/9/2008 23:42:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
King_Kong if what you say is the truth then why was it the Boulder DAs office who came out and said that it was impossible for a fair trial for either party and that being the case they decided to not to pursue it further. I really don?t think the Boulder DAs office would have charged Kobe of the crime if it didn?t believe it had a strong case against him, nor would they have proceeded with bringing it to trial if they thought they couldn?t win the case. Also what civil suit there never was one? I find it interesting that when are unable to counter my intelligent arguments they resort to calling me names or leave childish posts insulting my manhood instead.<br />brownsuga08 is right, it was 3 years ago and is done and over with. There are obviously some people who will always believe Kobe is innocent and some like me who will always believe Kobe is guilty as sin. I think it?s time to agree to disagree and leave it at that and speak of it no more.<br />Kobe and the rest of the USA team are really going to need to focus on their game against China and so should we they are going to need all the support they can get since China has few billion supporters of their own.
8/9/2008 23:40:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Thats right, also the police raided his home twice after 911 calls, and his wife had to be taken away by ambulance to the hospital. Those records were not realesed by the media, but the victims medical records were accidently faxed to Kobes attorney were on the front page. Because they were covering for him. Kobes a great player but he does not belong on the olymic squad. His background is an embarrsement to this country. Explain to me how someone who is innocent of a crime, won't even testify in a personal lawsuit against himself . Instead pay millions of dollers to go away. Which the laker organization helped pay. Please everbody is not an Idiot.
lord_rustin8/9/2008 23:02:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
freeman.. Please don't get things twisted. By no means am I saying that Kobe is a selfish player. He is more of a team player now then he was in the past so try and give him credit for making that adjustment in his game. As far as this allege rape what does it have to do with you? It wasn't you woman that was on trail so why does it have such a strong effect on you and others. This is history, it's over and done with. This is the only thing folks like you and others can bring up to try and discredit the man character. Just as you stated you are getting tired of hearing about Kobe. Some of us are getting tired of you and others bring up this bs saga. Move on, get a life. That ordeal was between Kobe, his wife and the woman he committed adultery with.
brownsuga088/9/2008 20:28:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
gt455 and freemale221g ...The only awards you guys will ever get in your life is for Village Idiot. The reason the trial was dropped was because the plaintiff had multiple seemen stains on her undies from having sex with multiple men within a 24 hour period. And her friends gave depositions stating that she had sex willingly. My wife is a DA and said it was unprosecutable because of the plaintiff's multiple sexual encouters and troubled mental history, not anything else. You guys should stick to your day time job of making donuts, hauling trash or whatever your puny minds can only handle and leave your wortheless analysis to those who are both way more intellectually and educationally qualified to offer legal opinions.
8/9/2008 19:08:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
freemale,<br />Thank you for yet another moronic post. She didn' ask for money? That's funny seeing as she didn't want to testifie in the crimanal trail (probly to avoid purjury) but was still going thru the civil suit. No real rape victom would want anything but the rapist in jail. She did take his money, which was exactly what she was after.
biggamejamesfan8/9/2008 17:25:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
2tones is 100% wrong!! you wish that LJ was as good as KB. Not even close!!
Dodgernation8/9/2008 13:49:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Kobe rules and is the greatest current player on the planet. All the haters prove it. If he wasn't nobody would be hatin on him like they do. Thank you for the respect you give him by writing your bogus ignorant post.
Dodgernation8/9/2008 13:48:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Shawndxjohn, I was talking about the 2 games in which the USA team had to actually play basketball to keep from losing. You know the ones against Russia and Australia with NBA players. If the Russian team had a few other players step up besides Andrei Kirilenko who almost single handedly won the game for Russia, the Russian team would have won. Australia would have won had Andrew Bogut be available to play in that game. I not sure why he didn?t play it was never made clear why.<br /><br />You forget that the real reason the trial was called off was because of the smear campaign that Kobe's lawyer ran against the victim, which if anyone other than Kobe had been on trial would never have been allowed to happen. This so tainted the case that it would not have been possible to have a fair trial for either party. Also for someone who was supposedly in it for the money. I find it strange that she never asked for any??<br /><br />brownsuga08 is right, this is supposed to be about basketball but so far there hasn't been much about basketball posted. It has all been about Kobe this and Kobe that. I am so sick of all the talk of Kobe as if he is the begin all and end all of basketball let alone the USA team. He is only one player on the team, and a selfish one at that, why don't we talk about the other players on the USA team for a change.
8/9/2008 13:03:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
These past comments are just plan humorist. None of them has anything to do with this article, it's not truly baseketball related issue and have no substances to them. What true fan gives a damn about who's team this is? This is the olympic team. They all have one goal in mind and that's winning the GOLD for this country. Damn who takes the lead it's all about TEAMWORK!!!! This site isn't about arguring it's all about intelligent debates, nothing more, nothing less! Also this isn't a site for sideshows/circus. All the clowns that come on this site and leave their childish comments are the allege rape is rediculous. That's what it was a "ALLEGED RAPE" This is suppose to be for basketball related issue anyway. Try and stay focus on the facts or artcle at hand!!
brownsuga088/9/2008 11:34:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
freemale221g.......how do you know she said no? you think that man who can get any woman in the world would have to force sex with a woman like that? Get the h.eck out of here. that girl was a whore. She bragged about it at a party later that night, but when her daddy heard about what she did with a black man, she changed her story. she grabbed the man and took him to a secret room. <br /><br />Kobe is married, of course he didn't want to acknowledge that he did it, just like John Edwards. DUhhhhh
shawndxjohn8/8/2008 22:03:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
freemale221g........................LOL. what have you been watching. Kobe won that game against lithuania, kobe has been the best defender. LOL.....you kids. Kobe a non factor. where do you people come up with this nonsense. Are you looking at the box score or watching the games. BTW, wade is the leading scorer. I swear to god, LMAO.
shawndxjohn8/8/2008 22:00:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
shawndxjon then why did Kobe change his story 4-5 times while the girl never changed hers????? I don't care how whorish she is, she said no and he went and did it anyway that is rape.
8/8/2008 21:58:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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