Kobe still selfish

Has Kobe's heart thawed for Bynum? Hell no!

So the sage continues fo water in my apartment. I’ve found that I’m also the only one in the complex to have this problem because, yes, my apartment is connected to the same water supply as the washer machines.

And no one’s complained about their laundry yet. Hmmmm…

Anyway, it IS really freezing out there, so I guess the maintenance guys do have a little bit of an excuse on their end. Still, I’d like to be able to use the toilet, take a shower, and drink today.

So there’s the update, and, now, on to the really good stuff – basketball!

An article in the LA Times this morning says Kobe Bryant’s heart is not made of stone. It’s a good thing to know, especially for teammates wondering why he’s not hitting them off the triple team.

Apparently, Kobe wished injured center Andrew Bynum the best, adding: "We're a championship-caliber team with him in the lineup."

Time reporter Mark Heisler says Kobe talking about a championship post-O’Neal is like Tim Burton making a movie without Helena B. Carter.

Well, that is, at least until recently.

“For the first time since demanding a trade last spring and excoriating management, Bryant tipped off a change of his no longer cold, dead-beating, two-timing, double-dealing, mean mistreating, loving heart.

Always stubborn, almost always controlled, Bryant rarely gives hints, even with teammates or Phil Jackson, but there has been no missing his thaw.”

I personally like “mean mistreating” the most. I always thought of the cat as selfish, and his comment about a championship doesn’t really change it. As a matter of fact, it might’ve actually caused me to question his caring about others even more.

When a Lakers reporter admits Kobe’s selfishly self-agrandizing flaws, there’s no question that Kobe’s all about me me me.

When talking about Bynum getting healthy, is Kobe really concerned for his boy’s health or more about his chances for winning another chip.

Certainly Kobe has turned around his smack talk about demanding a trade now that he see Bynum’s potential to dominate the paint. Kobe thinks Bynum can get him another championship.

And he sure hopes Bynum can return to full health so they can get it done soon.

No compromises: Only Rose

A question in an email got me thinking about college basketball again. Yes, really thinking!

I sort of enjoyed it because it reminded me of how I knew every player in the 2005 Draft (of course, I didn't know EXACTLY how good they would all be, but that's another story for another day).

So the question was, "The Bulls have no choice but to make a blockbuster deal and start fresh, don't they?"

My answer...well, technically was, "Yes." But with a rather strong and rigid caveat. Check out my quick take on the issue:

Most people believe the Bulls need to trade for an established All-Star, I.e. Kobe, TMac, Gasol. But opinions are cheep especially when it comes to an "underachieving" Eastern Conference team.

Yes, it's true the Bulls need a superstar. But trading for a veteran ( I.e. Kobe) is as far from the answer as bread is from gasoline. The team tried this under different management a few years back with Jalen Rose, who managed to bring them from horrible to unbearable.

So here's what I would do if I had the Gulls' GM job -- follow what the Lakers did with Kobe in '96. That is, trade decent, immediate impact player(s) to a team who just drafted a future All-Star...a guard who's going to take the National Spotlight.

This man is Derrick Rose. No questions, no compromises.

The Bulls need to do everything in their power to get a #1 or #2 pick in this year's draft. Since they're already going to have a lottery choice (around 10), I suggest they package Ben Gordon and this pick for Derrick Rose. Plain and simple. It might be a high price to pay, but will certainly reap major benefits in the long run.

This I can assure you.

The Chi needs Derrick Rose to rally around, not Mayo, not Eric Gordon. Rose is the ONLY player who will work. The Bulls can not settle for less.

He's a player with name value, charisma -- someone likely to be a fixture for plenty of Nike ads. Rose can electrify the court and score in droves. Derrick Rose, born in the Chi, belongs in the Red and White.