Kobe Bryant is dominating the news across the sportsworld.  It's not because he had led the Lakers to the NBA Finals(their season has been finished for a long time), it is because he has demanded a trade or not not demanded it.   It can be confusing.  Instead of talking about the greatness that is Tim Duncan or the drama that is unfolding in the East the sports world looks to Kobe Bryant.   Kobe is a great player, maybe the best in the world, but does he deserve this attention right now.  Couldn't he have waited until after the Finals to speak out.   Had he done that the spotlight could have shown on Tony Parker, Tim Duncan or maybe even the spectacular play of Daniel Gibson.   Instead weare talking about a guy whose team has been eliminated long ago.

I teach Kindegarten and Kobe reminds me of a a kid who is just starting school.   The attention of the world has always revolved around the student and now they must learn to share that attention with the other kids in the class.  The first few weeks are tough, testing the teacher to see what they can get.  Once they realize they are part of a class things settle down and life goes on.   In Kobe's case nobody has ever said no.

Coming out of High school the hornet's drafted him and then traded him to LA for Vlade Divac.  Kobe never would have played in Charlotte and orchestrated the trade.  Then he fueded with Shaq, grew tired of Phil and had hand in picking Rudy T as jackson's successor.  Tha lasted a year and then he wanted Phil back.   Now he wants the lakers to make a trade to get somebody to help him, n wait he wants to be traded, now he doesn't.  At some point the Lakers need to point their foot down, unless of course it is already too late.  If that is the case then the Lakers are getting what they deserve.  Maybe they can trade him and maybe his next organization can get him to fall in line like everyone else.  If not, at this time next year we may be having the same conversation.

Last night I set down in front of my TV to watch the Giants-Mets.  was it to watch barry Bonds in pursuit of hank aaron's record, no it was to watch 22 year old pitching phenom Tim Lincecum.  Living in Ohio and being a Reds fan i don't often get to see good youn pitchers.  true, the Giants do get national exposure because of bonds but Lincecum only pitches once every 5 games and so it is hard to get the chance to see him.  i had read glowing reports of him on the internet and last night I wanted to see if they hype was true.

As the game played out a few things caught my eye.  Lincecum looks like the real deal, Jose Reyes is super fast, and Erin Andrews is extremely pretty.  Lincecum got a no decision.  He pitched 7 strong innings giving up 3 runs.  take out the hoerun by Delgado and he pitched wonderfully.  While I am not ready to send himto Cooperstown just yet, I can see that he looks like the real deal.  as Bonds closes in on Aaron's record i look forward to getting more chances to watch him pitch.  

the second most impressive thing in the game was watching Jse Reyes score from first on a double.   he can fly.  Did I mention Erin Andrews is extremely pretty.

The Reds are bad.  They just completed a 2-6 homestand against the Nationals and the Pirates.  they can't hit, pitch, field or run the bases.   The big question is why.   yes, Ken griffey Jr. is having a good year as is Brandon Phillips but that is it.  Dave Ross has been terrible at the plate as has Edwin Encarnacion.  I like Ryan freel but he is hitting only 250.  They should have traded Adam Dunn instead of Wily Mo Pena or austin Kearns.

Awful does not begin to describe their pitching.  At the beginning of the year I felt they had 2 frontline starters in harang and arroyo but both have been inconsistant.  Their bullpen has struggled, but that really wasn't a surprise.  They have called up some young guys like salmon, Burton and Coutlangus so at least they are giving them a chance and maybe they will be all right.  Hopefully Homer Bailey will get called up soon.  At least that would generate some excitement.

The really sad thing is that their division is so bad that 85 wins might get you first place.  Unfortunately I don't see the Reds winning 65.