Dennis Winn

duh. They’re two different people. One’s a team player who is the greatest basketball player to ever lace up. The other is a great one-on-one basketball player. I am not sure why people are still trying to compare the two, but that’s the first thing I heard when I turned on the radio this morning.

In case you didn’t know, Dennis hates Kobe Bryant. And I don’t mind being reminded why. So when I hear about how Kobe berates his own teammates (yes ‘his own’, he practically owns them in his mind) it confirms my instinct that he is a selfish player, and selfish person for that matter.

Read how Curt Schilling described his observation of Kobe sitting courtside: http://38pitches.com/2008/06/09/manny-jd-papi-lester-and-the-nba-finals/

It’s not just me after all.

Even my friends and family are a little confused by me rooting for the Lakers not to win the championship this year. Let me set the record straight: I am not a fan of Boston sports teams. In fact, I hate the Red Sox. I am also simply not a fan of Kobe Bryant. It wasn’t always that way. Kobe was actually a large part of the reason I started watching the NBA when he came into the league over 10 years ago.

I was impressed with his flashy game play, work ethic, and his demeanor that appeared he was a humble man. I watched as a fan as he found success: first as he worked his way from the bench to a starting position with the team, to becoming elected as an all-star, all the way to winning 3 championships with the Lakers. I also watched him become a selfish A-hole as he threw anyone around him under-the-bus when things didn’t go his way. And it simply turned me off. Am I the only one who remembers the allegations in Utah a few years ago where he was sure to mention that he “should have just paid people off like Shaq”. Anyone bother reading Phil’s last book describing how much of a baby Kobe is?

Anyway, back to why I am rooting for the Lakers not to win another championship with Kobe. Since I have openly voiced my opinion about Kobe around the JLOOP loft (see my bio under our website at http://jloop.com), it has brought up some interesting conversations since all the other loopers are dedicated Lakers fans. 2 or 3 seasons ago I stated that Kobe was so selfish that he would insist on a team trade in place of being patient for the team to place some talent around him. This turned into an ongoing bet with Greg:

Greg bets - Kobe will win another championship with the Lakers

Dennis bets - Kobe will leave the Lakers before winning another championship

The winner gets to place a bumper sticker of their choice on the losers’ car for one year. (And we both hate bumper stickers btw).

You can imagine the bumper stickers we’ve teased each other about placing on each other’s car. Original George W and rainbow stickers are the top contenders.

If you recall, I was extremely close to winning the bet at the beginning of the season as Kobe cried openly to the media demanding to be traded from the Lakers: http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers16jun16,0,5734164 Now, going into game 5 of the NBA championships on Sunday with the Lakers down 3-1, it appears Greg came just as close to winning the bet this season too.

I predict the Lakers will win game 5, Celtics take it back home and win the championship in 6!

 **FOLLOW UP FROM SHAQ: http://www.tmz.com/2008/06/23/shaq-attacks-kobe-you-ruined-my-marriage/

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