Why you can and cannot hate Kobe Bryant

Kobe bashers can say all that you want, Lakers haters can say all that you want, but in the end, you're either a proud [enter team here] fan or a mere ignorant basketball observer (not a fan). There is no gray area in between.

I know. That was a pretty bold statement. But let's be real, if you don't like Kobe and you can't fit yourself into one of those two categories, you're just kidding yourself.

Firstly, if you are a fan of any other team in the NBA, you most likely despise Kobe. Why? He's not human-- he can shred any defense and drop 50 points in any given night. You hate that he has the most polished offensive game in the league; he will beat you off the dribble, in the post, shooting pull-up jumpers, 30' three-pointers, slashing, and anything and everything else in between. You hate that you can't stop him on offense and you cannot stand that he can suffocate your best offensive weapon on the defensive end. And you know what? That's a perfectly legitimate reason-- it is natural to hate the opposing team's skilled players. Why do you think people don’t give a hoot about the Memphis Grizzlies?

However, if your disdain for Kobe is not because of his ability to destroy any defense, you can hardly call yourself a basketball fan. I do admit, Kobe did not have the best track record off the court with all of his legal issues and highly publicized quarrels with his teammates. But has Kobe not changed and matured for the better? This 2007-08 season, Kobe passed, socialized with his team, credited his teammates for his success, openly involved his family, and done everything else to improve his team and himself. Kobe approached his personality like basketball; he took his weak points and elevated them to superstar levels.

Kobe Bryant has done everything in his power to become a better person and a better teammate; he is the NBA’s feel-good story waiting to be told. And despite all the haters denouncing his efforts and vilifying his name, Kobe keeps working, keeps improving, and keeps persevering. So ignorant people everywhere, continue talking, hating, heckling-- the MVP doesn’t hear you.