How does Kobe Bryant feel this morning? Following Tuesday’s humiliating Game 6 loss, where he had to watch an opponent celebrate winning an NBA championship at his expense for the second time in his career, Kobe was clearly furious in his post-game press conference — I’ve rarely seen one man who wasn’t headed to prison giving the Death Stare to a room full of people whom he had no reason to be mad at. However long it takes for that first wave of anger and frustration to wear off, Kobe will ultimately be left with one feeling: That of a man who’s been teased. In a way, Kobe will look back on this season and feel betrayed.

Think back to last summer, around the time the Spurs were dismantling the Cavs in the ’07 Finals and Kobe had first declared his desire to be traded from the Lakers. At the time Kobe had just endured a second straight first-round playoff exit, carrying a roster on which Kwame Brown, Shammond Williams and Smush Parker all played prominent roles. With no immediate prospects for the Lakers improving on the horizon, their superstar was ready to go. Kobe was tired of losing, tired of his team not being among the League’s elite despite his own individual greatness, tired of watching other players win rings. Read More »