Kobe and Vanessa Bryant are headed for a divorce. It sucks when things that aren't basketball related, potentially affect the game itself. Fortunately, Bryant is not the type to allow this to hold him back on the court.
The Black Mamba must draw on his own words from a sports illustrated article published in 2005. In it he offered:
"Basketball is my refuge, my sanctuary. I go back to being a kid on the playground. When I get here, it's all good."
It may need to be, as personal drama like this can be a distraction. Kobe is the rare athlete and personality who may actually thrive, despite the issues around him. The other aspect of this story we must consider is that this may just be the technical aspect of the breakup. Mentally, the Bryants' may have divorced a while ago.
This is something only they know. If this is the case, then the impact may be less and easier to handle. This of course is worse for the children involved, Kobe and Vanessa have two young children together, ages eight and five. That could potentially be the aspect of this that bothers Bryant the most. Though, for three hours, at least 66 times this winter and spring, he can put the worry aside.
Afterall, Kobe is no stranger to dealing with issues off the court, while still producing on the court. Through a sexual assault trial in 2003 and 2004, Bryant averaged 24 points per game, and the Lakers reached the NBA Finals.
Through that, Kobe possessed the drive and focus to concentrate on basketball, even though that was the height of his war with Shaquille O'Neal and the trial obviously placed a great deal of stress on his home and personal life.
Even then, his basketball life was not perfect, and it won't be now. Bryant is believed to be unhappy with the Lakers recent moves, namely the trade of friend and do-it-all forward, Lamar Odom.
Despite the Lakers' disappointment in losing out on Chris Paul, and acquiring no players in return for Odom, they still have a talented and veteran roster; Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Kobe Bryant are still a capable trio. There is also, still a chance to acquire Dwight Howard later this season. Right now, the Lakers need that type of elite-level, young talent.
Kobe is an old 33 years old, in regards to minutes played in his career (48310 regular season and playoffs combined) but he is still Kobe Bryant, that is, at the very least, a top five player in the NBA.
Though Kobe may not find ultimate refuge in this season, as he is obsessed with obtaining the ultimate prize every year. He may have to find his sanctuary in the game itself. The bounce of the ball, the workouts, the tutoring of young players, etc. All things people that love the game, can easily take for granted.
If the Lakers are bypassed by the Clippers, Thunder and other teams, Bryant's only hope for contention in LA moving forward will be with an acquisition of Howard. If that does not happen by the off-season of 2012, expect Kobe to request a divorce from the only team he's ever played for, and this time, it will be finalized.
As for his marital divorce, soon this will be nothing more than a footnote. Fans will remember this season more for what the Lakers did or didn't accomplish, or for the year the Clippers became relevant. When it's all said and done, basketball is every fan's escape from real life drama.
Kevin Russo Curtis Granderson Nick Johnson Javier Lopez Alex Hinshaw Ramon Ramirez
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