In less than one week Kobe faced both suspension for multiple flagrants and the possibility of referees limiting his effectiveness. In a game against the Sixers, Kobe went up for a shot but after releasing followed through with what seemed a elbow to Kyle Korvers head.

Could Kobe have been punishing opponents for referees failing to call a foul? Or could this have been unintentional? Kobe will never tell, so it’s up to the cameras and the refs. When Kyle Korver was asked what he thought, he responded as follows.

“I didn't think it was that big a deal, I thought it was an offensive foul. After I saw it on replay, it looked a lot worse than I thought it was during the game. It all happens fast. It's no big deal. It's just part of the game," as told by Korver to the Associated Press.

But is Kobe just too good? If you watch him play, clearly he gets fouled more often than the refs are willing to call. His mental focus is rare, his competitive drive is probably far beyond any active athlete in the world, excluding Tiger Woods. The question is, does his greatness and personality result in the dislike for him by many -- and possibly even the NBA office?

If you listen to Phil Jackson, he summed up this Kobe elbow fiasco as a witch hunt. People have always opposed what they themselves do not have inside of them. Are refs turned off by Kobe? Does their personal dislike for him creep into the game or Stu Jackson's trigger happy “FINE-NO-METER”?

Kobe is just a different type of guy. He speaks five languages, spent time in Europe and is the offspring of another well known NBA player, Jelly Bean Bryant. His experience watching his father provided Kobe with an inside view of the NBA life. A life where everything is scrutinzed, every word evaluated and your play is only a portion of NBA success. What many see as aloof Kobe sees as keeping a clear boundary from the media and the game he loves. What many say is arrogant Kobe views as an unwavering confidence he must have to dominate on a day to day level in the NBA.

That's something many of us just don’t understand. And most likely are not willing to understand.

Quite possibly the league doesn’t have an image problem but a jealously problem.

Jealousy of players such as Kobe, who have inner characteristics that many of us cannot even comprehend.

Jealous of the money these players make.

Jealousy - the root of evil - and why Kobe ’s dilemma could be that he is just plain better then the rest of us.

Needless to say, Kobe followed up the barrage of flagrants and possible mutiple game suspensions with 4 straight 50 point games.