I'll admit, I'm pissed at the fact that we just lost to Charlotte Bobcats, one of the worst road team in the NBA. But after watching this game, I find myself doubting wether Kobe Bean Bryant, who got himself ejected with 3 minutes left against the Bobcats, is a leader or not. And I'm starting to lean more on the "not" part.

How about we start with the problem here: the technicals -kobe got fifteen of them. Having that many technical fouls for a season indicate that one cannot control his emotions. One more and Kobe will be suspended for one game, and any additional technicals will mean additional suspension from this point on.

Having a leader, on a team contending for a championship, who can't control his emotions is a disaster waiting to happen. Just ask the Pistons what it felt to watch Rasheed Wallace melt down last playoffs against the Cavs.

Second, Kobe whining for fouls on every single play is starting to piss me off. It's disturbing to watch, real talk! I don't know if it's arrogance or the fact that he thinks the refs should call a foul in his favor everytime he drives to basket. Sometimes, there isn't even a foul-even with replay as proof, and Kobe still argues for a foul. Why would a player of this caliber resort to crying for fouls??

A team takes the characteristics of its leader, good or bad. At times kobe stay on the other end arguing for fouls and leaving his teammates on the other end to play 4 on 5 which against good teams usually result in a 2 or 3 point loss. Other players have started to do the same trend as Kobe.

From the refusing to shoot because he was criticized, to allegedly snitching on Shaq, to allegedly forcing Shaq out, to demanding a trade(not being able to control himself), to throwing his teammates under the bus, and to making his teammates and the organization's life miserable during training camp, Kobe risks having his leadership revoked.

Not to mention that he felt that he didn't deserve any blame for the laker situation last season. And had Kobe not create that turmoil, KG might be have been in LA right now, though that's a story for another day.

It's more telling no how the Laker players talk of Fisher as being a leader-Odom: "Fish doesn't try to be or say he's a leader, he just is!". Farmar has dished out similar praise toward Fisher. And none of them has ever said that about Kobe!!!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/14808

I have to admit that I don't like to see Kobe complain after a lot of calls and that's because it works against him. Mainly I just don't like to see the comnplaints so often, the way Derek Fisher talks to the refs is a lot better in my opinion. Kobe does have 15 techs, but that is attributed to his personality, the guy is fiery, he's emotional, he brings his personality on the court with him, that's just Kobe. I would love to see him stop whining after every call, however a majority of the time he is right when he does complain, but I think it does work against him. I would rather see a fiery Kobe vs a subdued one with 2 techs through the whole season, the guy is passionate, but it would be good to see him harness it.

Tokes81 - Must you be so negative? It seems that the only time you're heard from is when you have something negative to say. Is anyone asking you to change your opinion? No, but there are ways of going about saying things and you're pretty damn negative.

I consider Kobe a good leader, is he a perfect leader, nah I wouldn't say that but I would say he's a good leader.

...he is fighting for his team on every bad call

You guys are real Lakers fans. You don’t let anyone criticize your Lakers. I think most are kids on this site who are so in Love with the Lakers that they are blind. I am a Lakers fan. I have been since the Magic Era. I am so excited about the Lakers this season; I watch every game and bought a 72” HD TV and League Pass just to watch them play when I can’t go to the games. I read every article out there about the Lakers and I have already planned my route and spot for the Lakers Parade.

Kobe is my favorite player in the NBA. With that said, I am really getting tired of watching him complain to the refs on every call. It just looks very bad; he does not get back on defense. If you guys watch on every play when he gets rejected or misses, he is looking at the refs as an excuse for him messing up. A real leader does not do this; a real MVP does not do this. I hope he stops complaining so much on every call. How is that going to help you? Do you think by doing that the refs will stop the game and say “ok, kobe, you are right .. my bad??” Just play the game, get back on defense and complain after the game. Do what Mark Cuban does and send in video tapes arguing your points. I don’t want to hate him, but the things that he is doing are causing me to do so. I try to fight those demons but they are getting to me. I still like Kobe, and I never understood why so many people dislike him. Now, I know why.

Maybe the Lakers are trying to get Agent O and let him walk after his contract expires. I hope not. I dislike Agent 0. He is a jokester.

I got my Lakers flag yesterday and everyone should go get theirs!

Lakers for life, with or without Kobe or anyone else.

It's a big deal, but not a big deal. In today's game, you look at a ref wrong and you get a technical. They did it to Duncan last year. It reminds me of that Billy Crystal movie Forget Paris.

Didnt Charlotte also beat boston? so what does this mean that Boston sucks?
media obviosly hate kobe and will do anything to take away his mvp