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, an...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
