Dear Kobe Bryant,

Dear Kobe Bryant,

I like basketball.  I enjoy sitting back and taking in an NBA game despite the egos, attitudes and overall feeling of entitlement that seems to ooze through those meshed uniforms.  Some teams are more exciting to watch than others and some players that make plays leaving my jaw agape.  You’re one of those players whose athleticism and talent frequently puts on a display that leaves hoops fans in awe.   There are other teams who struggle to exhibit the things that make the NBA special and some players who just get under your skin.  Players who struggle from the line, have too many foolish turnovers or whose attitude is so yuck that you simply can’t stomach their appearance.  (Insert:  Kendrick Perkins, Manu Ginobili.. actually the entire Spurs roster, Matt Barnes, etc.) 

Did you know it is entirely possible for you to be guarded tough?  There will be times you rise up for an 18 foot jumper and miss.  You might even lose control of the dribble while weaving through the lane.  Traveling is a standard rule in the NBA (albeit loosely monitored).  Blocked shots happen, even to those wearing the number 24.  MVP awards, All-Star appearances and impressive stats don’t change the rules of the game.  You, Kobe Bryant, don’t get fouled EVERY time you miss a shot.  (Please feel free to remind Tim Duncan of this as well…)

As a casual fan, it is frustrating to see a grown man grasping for an excuse that caused his miscue.  It couldn't possibly be that you simply missed the jumper or turned the ball over.  There has to be a reason for it.  You were fouled!  You had a bad burrito for lunch!  One of the staff at the Staples Center opened an exterior door which modified the air flow in the arena that caused your back iron blunder.  A blonde wearing a flashy bedazzled blouse distracted you from the front row.  We know… it wasn’t your fault. 

Rather than giving every NBA official in the land the stink eye when you screw up, how about trying to control your emotions and realize that you aren’t always going to be perfect and just hustle down the floor?  When you stare down a ref, wag your finger at all those “haters” after you complete the AND 1, slap the floor in display of the obvious missed call by a professional official…. Well, it gets me to the point of grabbing the remote and surfing channels hoping for WNBA action.  Assuming the WNBA is actually still a thing.  

Don’t ruin the game.  Don’t pretend you aren’t capable of making mistakes.  I won’t bring up “role model” as I know how you bazillionaire athletes hate that inevitable responsibility…. But be a man that plays hard, respects the game and carries himself in a way that lets his game do the talking.  Basketball fans don’t need your poopy attitude leaking into their living rooms.  A competitive, passionate All-Star is one thing….  A whiny, arrogant and annoying Kobe is what you are.