Okay, I lied!  I'm at least mildly impressed.  I mean, after all, the guy did manage to score the second most points in NBA history for one game.  That, in itself, deserves props.  But a further look inside the numbers reveals what most knew already... today's Kobe Bryant is all about the man, and not the team.

Bryant shot 28-for-47 from the floor (including 7-for-14 from 3 pt. range) and made 18 of 20 free throws.  The other eight players in a Laker uniform who saw action in their 122-104 home victory over the hapless Toronto Raptors combined to shoot 14-for-42 from the field and 10-for-13 from the line.  That's right!  One player took more shots, both from the field and from the line, than his entire team!  To me, that doesn't say much about the LA Lakers as a basketball team.  All you have to do is compare the two shooting percentages (in addition to the obvious shot attempts) to clearly see that.

Now I guess I should give credit where credit is due.  Kobe's recent play has ignited a charge that has vaulted the Lakers from Western Conference obscurity to the seventh position in the Western standings where they currently reside.  But if they do happen to make the postseason in their current incarnation, what will happen in a seven-game series when their opponents decide to roll an extra defender Kobe's way wherever he goes?  Will Lamar Odom or Chris Mihm be ready and willing to take a big shot?  I highly doubt it.  And therein lies the problem.  Unless Kobe plans on averaging 50-plus a night from here on out, the Lakers won't be a factor in the chase for the Big Gold Ball this year, or any other year for that matter. 

So for the present, I say congratulations Kobe!  You proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are truly one of the game's most gifted players.  But for the forseeable future, I say shame on you Mr. Bryant!  Because your propensity to ball-hog shows what many of us already knew -- that you're one of the most selfish individuals to ever lace up the sneakers.  And while you're image as a media mogul will continue to soar, you're team will suffer the consequences in the long run.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By the way, it just occured to me.  You know what would happen if Chauncey Billups took 47 shots in one game?  Yep, you guessed it ........ Hell would've truly frozen over!!!