1/31/07

Kobe Bryant got suspended for one game for a “cheap shot” a few nights ago. The suspension began immediately and the next game happened to be Lakers vs Knicks at the Garden (last night’s game).

Some people, including Kobe, are saying that the penalty was way to harsh for the crime, it was unintentional and he was just kinda flailing his arms. Now I saw the hit, and while it wasn’t anything close to the most vicious sports hit I’ve ever seen it definitely looked intentional to me.

Anyway, the point of Kobe and his defenders is that he never should have gotten suspended, but especially because the game was against the Knicks in New York. It isn’t fair to all the fans who came to see Kobe play, so their reasoning goes. This is ridiculous. Kobe needs to shut up and take his suspension just like any other player. I know he wants to be Mr. Big Shot and have a huge game in NYC, the country’s biggest media market, but that’s too bad. Big market teams like LA and New York can’t be given preferences over the smaller market teams. This wouldn’t even be talked about if say, the Pacers were playing the Warriors. I’m glad the NBA held firm on this one.

Kobe might be a great player, but this and other even worse episodes in the past shows that he is full of himself and not all too bright.