The on-again off-again Lakers drama continues with another episode that puts Days of Our Lives to shame. Just when you think everything's all fine and dandy in Lakerland, Jerry Buss and Kobe Bryant find another way to steal the spotlight from the rest of the league.

Let's just say that it's pure Hollywood. Let's also not forget that the Lakers have to create the stir because a storied franchise like this one, with a reputation for putting on a show every time, must keep reminding us that the attention should be on them. Not the World Champion Spurs. Not even the Boston Celtics. Just like America's teams the Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees, the spotlight belongs to L.A.

The fact that Kobe's frustration ultimately led to him demanding and rescinding a trade cannot be ignored. He was serious enough that Buss and Bryant met in Barcelona to discuss the issue. Buss mentioned that he took offers during the summer but wasn't even close to moving Bryant because of a lack of value he would get in return. The reality is you'll never get equal value for Kobe. Philly didn't get equal value for Allen Iverson, and if people tell you Los Angeles got equal value for Shaquille O'Neal they're probably Miami fans.

So Bryant understood Buss' smart business decision not to move him and he went about his business, continuing to train and work hard to be ready for Team USA's FIBA tournament. Kobe then went on to impress the nation with his leadership, defense, and teamwork. It was just another display of Bryant's 100% commitment to his game and more importantly it showed how much loyalty Kobe has for the game of basketball.

This is why you love Kobe despite all of the off-court issues, primadona attitude, and criticisms of selfish play. If you've been witness to the evolution of Kobe since he became pro, you will realize why he is highly respected amongst his peers. And Buss has the utmost respect for Kobe even though Bryant called him a "liar" and an "####."

So the looming question remains: Is Buss running out of patience with Mr. Bryant? I really don't think he is. What we are seeing here is just two people in a relationship who respect and love each other to death just going through some growing pains. Like a young couple in year three of a relationship.

We realize that it all just makes for great entertainment and the media sensationalizes it because after all, it is L.A. And it's also natural for us fans to only look at the negatives in this drama, because some of us are just dying to "Beat L.A."

But if you look deeper into Buss' statements, his first comment is the one that should be amplified most. He said that "we don't want to trade Kobe and if we win everything will be ok." The solution is simple. Win and Kobe remains a lifelong Laker. Lose and go home.

So now it's up to Kobe Bryant to do his part and show he's a true leader and above all, a winner. I believe he's made great strides over the last two years and it will continue this season. He's already the best in the game right now. What will happen when his game matures and he becomes the complete package?

Meanwhile, the mediator Phil Jackson said that "it's probably best that it comes out now... and we can start the season the right way... that's what I believe will happen", showing signs of optimism for his ballclub. He has to react that way because he is their coach and he has to remain positive for the sake of the team. But at the same time Jackson has been a frontline observer so we cannot dismiss his point of view. He has seen this happen before in Chicago, although the circumstance were a little different. Nevertheless, Jackson is on Kobe's side and it's great to know that Kobe has Phil's support. This realization will only facilitate in Kobe's growth as a leader as he copes with learning how to be a winner.

Many great players in all of sports have been dealt away later in their careers, and many have stayed with a single team. With an organization like the Lakers, you can expect at all times a total commitment to winning and excellence. That is why just about every decade, the Lakers regularly make appearances in the NBA Finals.

And It's true that "you can't keep too many loyalties" like Buss intimated, since the business aspect of running a franchise is what dictates most decisions. But do you really expect Buss to deal away the number one draw in the league and trade the player who guarantees sell-outs everywhere you go just because that player calls you a liar? My father called me worse as an adolescent and I still never left home. It wouldn't be too intelligent of a business decision for Buss to trade his number one asset, especially if that particular employee never takes a day off from work.

But if Buss could trade Shaq, he could more easily trade Kobe right? Wrong. It was a smart business move to deal O'Neal because first of all, Shaq was no longer showing the level of commitment to his game like he did before winning his first title. Secondly, Shaq wanted big money that Buss was not willing to pay for an out-of-shape no-free-throw-making late game liability who was nearing the end of his glory years. Look at O'Neal now. 12 points and 6 boards a game. That's Chris Mihm numbers. Lastly, Shaq was also bickering with Kobe, who at that point already proved to Buss he had the work ethic worthy of a $100 million long-term deal. The key here is long-term. So ultimately Buss chose Kobe and Shaq got his cash somewhere else and O'Neal went on to win a title courtesy of Dwyane Wade.

Which brings us back to my boy KOBE, who is itching for a shot at his first title as the main dude. Bryant has much to prove not only to his critics but most importantly to himself. His summer temper tantrums were just a by-product of his maturation process as the leader of his team. He never assumed this role with O'Neal around, and now that it's his team he really isn't that sure yet as to how he's going to lead and how he's going to win. The Lakers, at this point, still do not have an identity they can call their own.

Indeed, that time will come whether or not Kobe sports the purple-and-gold. Because even if he leaves the Lakers in a couple of years, I guarantee that the organization will again find a way to build the pieces of another championship franchise in the near future.

For now, stay tuned after these messages for previews from the next episode of L.A. Divas...

'Twas the night before Christmas and all thru the house,

Shaq begins to wonder how this all came about;

The championship banner hanging high up in the air,

Another ring for the Diesel, but who really cares?

'Cause the Heat keeps losing all but left for dead,

While visions of Kobe winning continue to haunt O'Neal's head;

And the Lakers are ready to be put on the map,

While Shaq plays Santa with his 20 kids on his lap;

When out in the East there arose such a chatter,

Shaq is out of shape again he's getting fatter;

So away he went to leave it all up to Flash,

You're on your own kid while I collect my cash.

The Suns are shining in the West and there's a new Jazz show,

but we all know that there's still San Antonio;

Then all of a sudden in Denver, the Answer appears

Just in time for Garnett to say the end is near;

And just like that Buss calls McHale quick,

He thought for a moment it must be a trick.

Buss asks if he liked last night's game

"I don't know" McHale replied. "Ask what's-his-name."

"Now, Blount! now, Davis! now, Hudson and Griffin!

On, Jaric! on, Foye! on, James and Madsen!

To the bottom of the Northwest! to one last call!

Now go away Garnett! I'll take the fall!

As the speculation continues and the rumors fly,

Isaiah Thomas insists he's a nice guy;

So up to Stern's office Thomas flew

to request more players 'cause he was down to two;

I'll cut this short so I can shop at the mall,

Maybe it's on sale... that is, the new ball;

Shaq don't like it so he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to O'Neal's career - good night."