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Open Letter to Kobe Bryant |
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Written by Sacha Fernandez
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Monday, 27 August 2007 |
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Open Letter To Kobe
Dear Mr Bryant
First of all, I would like to commend you on your career thus far. You were a prodigious, and yes also a precocious young talent when you entered into the NBA straight out of high school. You adjusted to the athleticism, professionalism not to mention a hectic 82 game regular season. You became an integral part of the LA Lakers as they developed into a powerhouse team. You had a great teacher in Phil Jackson who helped mould you into the superstar you are today. You formed a formidable partnership with Shaquille O'Neal, a potent inside outside threat. Three championships in three consecutive years and the world was your oyster.
While your rise has been meteoric, there have been troubles, a great many. A very public court trial impacted your credibility while your squeaky clean, good husband image was forever tarnished. A slanging match with Shaq was played out in the media. To exacerbate an already unsettling situation Shaq packed his bags and headed east to Miami, this along with Phil Jackson's departure ripped the heart of the Lakers. Despite a veritable can of worms off court you continued to carry an under-strength team, quite often winning games off your own hand. You couldn't do it 82 times a year though and the Lakers struggled.
Last year we saw superhuman performances from you. It was astounding to see you put up an 80 point game. Only Wilt Chamberlain stands between you and a 100 point game. Yet, our Lakers has struggled in the playoffs, failing to reach the 2nd round since those heady days of 2002. A small consolation has been your acceptance of Phil Jackson back into Los Angeles.
You have it all, well almost all, your trophy cabinet, is one medal short of a complete set. An MVP is still missing. Perhaps I can explain why you have not garnered an MVP much less 2 or 3. Leadership is what is required to get an MVP. It's your time Kobe. As I peruse MVP winners of years gone by, I see names like Steve Nash, Tim Duncan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan. A common trait amongst them was leadership, on court presence, off court harmony, and they were, media darlings. We have seen your whining about wanting a release, lamenting the lack of another genuine marquee player and the list goes on. It seemed that with every stride you took forward, a verbal outbursts usually played out on print and audio media would result in two steps back.
You know how to win, you excel under pressure. Can you now mould your team-mates to have that same will to win. Empower them with your confidence and on court poise.
You are no doubt a future hall famer, yet you have time still to leave a legacy like past Laker champions. This is your time Kobe! You are 28, your on court maturity is unquestioned. It's your off court act that needs to be cleaned up. When you decide to turn over that new leaf, I have no doubt that the pieces of a Championship puzzle will start to fall into place. LA Lakers have a proud history of winning championships, it is a glamour club, you can help the Lakers return to being a western conference powerhouse and along the way perhaps garner a coveted MVP award.
Yours Sincerely,
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 23 September 2007 )
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