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Dark Kobe, We Need You Now

Written by on 04/30/2010 in Editorials - 16 Comments

Dark Kobe was a newer, tougher version of the old one. Less Emilio Estevez and more Judd Nelson. Hey, people reinvent themselves every day in America, do you think anyone would have blamed him?

Enter Dark Kobe

It was almost as if he tried to be Dark Kobe, but just would never let himself fully commit. Everything came to a head last June. The Lakers winning the 2009 NBA Title was a massive catharsis for Kobe fans across the nation. It was our time to stick it to Shaquille O’Neal and his awful rapping, our time to laugh at a pouting LeBron James, our time to shove this in the face of every critic who said Kobe was too selfish to win a title on his own.

I was praying Kobe would go all Half Baked on us and call out everyone in the audience like Mike Jordan did at his Hall of Fame acceptance speech: “Eff you, eff you, eff you, you’re cool, eff you.”

So what happens?

Kobe brings his wife and daughters on the floor with him and turns the post title celebration into a manufactured family love fest. Kobe my man, come on. I know you love your daughters and have tried to repair the public perception of your family for years, but it all feels so artificial. A bit too forced. A little, well, fake.

Speaking of contrived, I’m still trying to pretend that “Kobe: Doin Work” never happened. If there was ever an opportunity for me to rewrite a moment in TV Movie History, this would be it. Sorry Spike, but I would have nailed that piece. My movie would introduce the world to Dark Kobe, a vicious Kobe Bryant hell bent on destroying everything in his path to an NBA Title.

Of course the argument against Dark Kobe is that people don’t identify with the “bad guy”. The “bad guy” doesn’t sell merchandise, right? Ask the 76ers how much money they made selling Allen Iverson jerseys over the years and you’ll see that argument doesn’t hold much water. People would embrace Dark Kobe for the same reason they embraced Allen Iverson: he’s real.

That’s all we’ve ever asked from Kobe, just be real. Don’t feed us a heeping spoon full of garbage because it’s what you think we want. Just be you Kobe, we’ll accept you for who you are.

Not everyone can be Luke Skywalker, some of us were meant to be Anakin… and that’s not a bad thing.

It’s not too late.
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  • E-ROC

    This is a world full of double-standards, and athletes fall under that umbrella. We want honesty from athletes but when given honesty, criticism follows. That always happens. Now we want honesty? What’s going to happen when you are given answers you don’t want? You’re going to criticize.

    How do you know bringing his family on the platform to celebrate the Lakers NBA Championship was contrived? Its not like he doesn’t greet his family in the tunnel after each Laker home game. I guess you know more than I do.

  • E-ROC

    This is a world full of double-standards, and athletes fall under that umbrella. We want honesty from athletes but when given honesty, criticism follows. That always happens. Now we want honesty? What’s going to happen when you are given answers you don’t want? You’re going to criticize.

    How do you know bringing his family on the platform to celebrate the Lakers NBA Championship was contrived? Its not like he doesn’t greet his family in the tunnel after each Laker home game. I guess you know more than I do.

  • E-ROC

    This is a world full of double-standards, and athletes fall under that umbrella. We want honesty from athletes but when given honesty, criticism follows. That always happens. Now we want honesty? What’s going to happen when you are given answers you don’t want? You’re going to criticize.

    How do you know bringing his family on the platform to celebrate the Lakers NBA Championship was contrived? Its not like he doesn’t greet his family in the tunnel after each Laker home game. I guess you know more than I do.

  • kobethebasketballmessiah

    this is just harsh.

  • kobethebasketballmessiah

    this is just harsh.

  • kobethebasketballmessiah

    this is just harsh.

  • Jeff Lambert

    E-Roc,

    I wrote that Kobe bringing his family on the court to celebrate “seems” contrived, and the same goes with how his kids meet him in the tunnel after each game. Even the most ardent Lakers supporter must find it a little fishy that Kobe’s family meets him in plain view of the camera, while the rest of the wives/kids greet their man in private…

    Perhaps I was too harsh on Kobe, though. Behind the hardened exterior is likely a sensitive guy who above all else, wants to be accepted. I guess more than anything the article vents my frustrations about how Kobe seemingly doesn’t know how to act on camera, so he constantly tries to give us what he thinks we want. And to me, it almost always comes off as manufactured or contrived.

    I appreciate the comments. Thanks for reading.

    JL

  • Jeff Lambert

    E-Roc,

    I wrote that Kobe bringing his family on the court to celebrate “seems” contrived, and the same goes with how his kids meet him in the tunnel after each game. Even the most ardent Lakers supporter must find it a little fishy that Kobe’s family meets him in plain view of the camera, while the rest of the wives/kids greet their man in private…

    Perhaps I was too harsh on Kobe, though. Behind the hardened exterior is likely a sensitive guy who above all else, wants to be accepted. I guess more than anything the article vents my frustrations about how Kobe seemingly doesn’t know how to act on camera, so he constantly tries to give us what he thinks we want. And to me, it almost always comes off as manufactured or contrived.

    I appreciate the comments. Thanks for reading.

    JL

  • http://www.facebook.com/pages/RoboGhost/319315148117 RoboGhost

    Jeff, I have been a die-hard Laker fan since I was a kid. Magic is, and was my idol. When he retired in November of ’91, I was 9, and it had a profound effect on me. Kobe’s Colorado situation is very different but it shattered my perception of my newest Laker hero just the same. I love Kobe as a player very much and have his back for enternity!! That said, this was a refreshing, interesting take on the man we love. This article came from a place, not of hate but, of honesty and respect… Also glad to see that I’m not the only fan of the big 2 4 that couldn’t believe how horrible “Doin Work” was!! Haha

  • http://www.facebook.com/pages/RoboGhost/319315148117 RoboGhost

    Jeff, I have been a die-hard Laker fan since I was a kid. Magic is, and was my idol. When he retired in November of ’91, I was 9, and it had a profound effect on me. Kobe’s Colorado situation is very different but it shattered my perception of my newest Laker hero just the same. I love Kobe as a player very much and have his back for enternity!! That said, this was a refreshing, interesting take on the man we love. This article came from a place, not of hate but, of honesty and respect… Also glad to see that I’m not the only fan of the big 2 4 that couldn’t believe how horrible “Doin Work” was!! Haha

  • http://www.facebook.com/pages/RoboGhost/319315148117 RoboGhost

    Jeff, I have been a die-hard Laker fan since I was a kid. Magic is, and was my idol. When he retired in November of ’91, I was 9, and it had a profound effect on me. Kobe’s Colorado situation is very different but it shattered my perception of my newest Laker hero just the same. I love Kobe as a player very much and have his back for enternity!! That said, this was a refreshing, interesting take on the man we love. This article came from a place, not of hate but, of honesty and respect… Also glad to see that I’m not the only fan of the big 2 4 that couldn’t believe how horrible “Doin Work” was!! Haha

  • PNo

    I respect your opinion but I have to disagree here. I think you are taking too much credit into knowing who the “true” Kobe Bryant is. Why would he have to know how to act in front of the camera, all Kobe gives a damn about is winning rings, so he doesn’t need to act any certain way, which is why sometimes he is pissed off and sometimes he is hugging his family. Delivering a constant message through actions isn’t exactly a natural human characteristic. Why is Kobe the only player with his family out there? Maybe because he is the best player in the NBA (I still need LeBron to win a ring before I will be ok with admiring his athletic ability dominating other people down the lane) and because of that he can do whatever the hell he wants in any arena. I don’t really associate Kobe as “the bad guy” as much as I view him as the guy who is so good and overcame everything and thus people hate him for his perseverance and things that he said, acted, or did 4, 5, hell, even 10 years ago. If you REALLY want to talk about marketing machines, let us look no further than the wide armed / grimace reactions of one King James after every play.

  • PNo

    I respect your opinion but I have to disagree here. I think you are taking too much credit into knowing who the “true” Kobe Bryant is. Why would he have to know how to act in front of the camera, all Kobe gives a damn about is winning rings, so he doesn’t need to act any certain way, which is why sometimes he is pissed off and sometimes he is hugging his family. Delivering a constant message through actions isn’t exactly a natural human characteristic. Why is Kobe the only player with his family out there? Maybe because he is the best player in the NBA (I still need LeBron to win a ring before I will be ok with admiring his athletic ability dominating other people down the lane) and because of that he can do whatever the hell he wants in any arena. I don’t really associate Kobe as “the bad guy” as much as I view him as the guy who is so good and overcame everything and thus people hate him for his perseverance and things that he said, acted, or did 4, 5, hell, even 10 years ago. If you REALLY want to talk about marketing machines, let us look no further than the wide armed / grimace reactions of one King James after every play.

  • Jeff Lambert

    PNo,

    I hear you, it’s tough to know exactly what Kobe is thinking because he puts on such a front. I hope I’m not taking credit for “knowing” who the real Kobe is, I think if anything I was venting about NOT knowing who he was. In fact, the only thing I’m sure of is the Kobe we see on camera is not the real Kobe.

    I can’t help but feel that way when I see Kobe interviewed. He’s not the only player who acts that way either. LeBron James is a great example. He’s a complete phony. I love how when LeBron accepted his NBA MVP Trophy this weekend he repeatedly thanked his teammates and reminded the cameras again and again how much he loves/needs/respects his teammates. REALLY LeBron? If you feel that way about your teammates why have you held them hostage the entire season by not committing long term to the Cavs? If they are so responsible for your success then why are you basking in the glory of being the most celebrated Free Agent in sports history? You could put all the speculation to rest and show some respect for your teammates by saying you want to stay. It’s all a bunch of BS.

    Back to Kobe.

    When I see someone like Lamar Odom talk to the cameras, I feel like that is the real Lamar. He doesn’t seem to be hiding anything. Same goes for Ron Artest and Pau Gasol. Maybe it’s because Kobe is a bigger star that he has to be more guarded. I don’t know.

    Anyway, I love hearing your thoughts. Thanks for reading.

    JL

  • Jeff Lambert

    PNo,

    I hear you, it’s tough to know exactly what Kobe is thinking because he puts on such a front. I hope I’m not taking credit for “knowing” who the real Kobe is, I think if anything I was venting about NOT knowing who he was. In fact, the only thing I’m sure of is the Kobe we see on camera is not the real Kobe.

    I can’t help but feel that way when I see Kobe interviewed. He’s not the only player who acts that way either. LeBron James is a great example. He’s a complete phony. I love how when LeBron accepted his NBA MVP Trophy this weekend he repeatedly thanked his teammates and reminded the cameras again and again how much he loves/needs/respects his teammates. REALLY LeBron? If you feel that way about your teammates why have you held them hostage the entire season by not committing long term to the Cavs? If they are so responsible for your success then why are you basking in the glory of being the most celebrated Free Agent in sports history? You could put all the speculation to rest and show some respect for your teammates by saying you want to stay. It’s all a bunch of BS.

    Back to Kobe.

    When I see someone like Lamar Odom talk to the cameras, I feel like that is the real Lamar. He doesn’t seem to be hiding anything. Same goes for Ron Artest and Pau Gasol. Maybe it’s because Kobe is a bigger star that he has to be more guarded. I don’t know.

    Anyway, I love hearing your thoughts. Thanks for reading.

    JL

  • Jeff Lambert

    PNo,

    I hear you, it’s tough to know exactly what Kobe is thinking because he puts on such a front. I hope I’m not taking credit for “knowing” who the real Kobe is, I think if anything I was venting about NOT knowing who he was. In fact, the only thing I’m sure of is the Kobe we see on camera is not the real Kobe.

    I can’t help but feel that way when I see Kobe interviewed. He’s not the only player who acts that way either. LeBron James is a great example. He’s a complete phony. I love how when LeBron accepted his NBA MVP Trophy this weekend he repeatedly thanked his teammates and reminded the cameras again and again how much he loves/needs/respects his teammates. REALLY LeBron? If you feel that way about your teammates why have you held them hostage the entire season by not committing long term to the Cavs? If they are so responsible for your success then why are you basking in the glory of being the most celebrated Free Agent in sports history? You could put all the speculation to rest and show some respect for your teammates by saying you want to stay. It’s all a bunch of BS.

    Back to Kobe.

    When I see someone like Lamar Odom talk to the cameras, I feel like that is the real Lamar. He doesn’t seem to be hiding anything. Same goes for Ron Artest and Pau Gasol. Maybe it’s because Kobe is a bigger star that he has to be more guarded. I don’t know.

    Anyway, I love hearing your thoughts. Thanks for reading.

    JL