Kobe’s trade is against the rules. It’s against the secret code of athletic competition. If Kobe is to be compared to high caliber athletes such as Michael Jordan, Lance Armstrong, Roger Federers and other NBA greats, a Kobe trade is against the rules.

Is Kobe one of the greatest? Yes. Does Kobe’s athletic ability justify being compared to the all time greats? Yes.

See, most sane people don’t have a problem with Kobe Bryant’s athletic ability – well, at least anyone with any type of integrity. It’s these types of things that give reason for people to call him selfish, arrogant, aloof and many other negative tag words. Everyone knows I like Kobe, and I, too, can be called somewhat of a spin-doctor by intellectualizing, explaining and/or defending some of Kobe ’s situations and character traits.

Just don’t call me Sean Hannity. But this TRADE is WRONG. KOBE IS WRONG! Kobe demanding a trade is like Charles Barkley joining the Celtics during the great years (85-89) to win an NBA championship. It goes against the competitive rules.

You see, when you’re the guy, the leader, the numero uno, you have to take your licks. You have to do everything within your power to make your ship better. You have to fight the battle with the soldiers you went in the hole with, not jump ship when you find out you MIGHT NOT WIN and join the other team because you think they MAY WIN!

Kobe is playing for the best franchise in the NBA, period. Playing in front of loyal fans that understand the media pressure, playing for a team and city that has enough room for a super size star such as Kobe.

This all started because someone within the Laker organization told the media that Kobe was the reason Shaq was left unsigned and traded to Miami. Mistake number 1. Don’t throw your number #1 guy under the “buss” and expect him to be happy about it. Even if people already thought this, it was a bad move. Kobe may have issues with the Lakers because they allowed him to be the scapegoat when Shaq ended up in Miami.

Anyone with any sense knows Kobe Bryant does not write the checks, and a millionaire like Kobe just doesn’t tell a billionaire such as Dr. Buss what to do with his money. If anything, I would say the Lakers possibly told Kobe many people were going to blame him for Shaq leaving, so take this one for us. After going through the whole Denver mess, Kobe possibly felt a sense of loyalty and decided that it wasn’t too much to ask.

But now a trade… you gotta be kidding me! This is like coming to local basketball court on a team of five guys and after losing the first two games you ditch the guys you came with for the winning team. You just don’t do that, unless you want to be left at the court and ride home by yourself.

If Kobe is traded, I’ll finally root against him. Please don’t make me do it! But if Kobe is traded, as Dave Chappelle would say, “don’t make me do it, but I will.”