Kobe Bryant's Trip to Philly Club Will Help Black Mamba Dominate on Court

Kobe Bryant's visit to Delilah's, a Philadelphia gentleman's club, is just an example of work-life balance for the newly single Mamba.

That balance is defined differently depending on the career and the individual's personal life. For Kobe, a trip to Delilah's near his hometown is just the type of leisure trip to take the edge off.

He's dealing with the divorce situation, separation from his children, a painful wrist injury (game related) and a season of transition in Los Angeles.

It is perfectly understandable that he'd be looking to blow off some steam. The fact that teammate Andrew Bynum joined him there later that night, turns the night on the town into a team building exercise.

Kobe was once criticized for never bonding with teammates. That obviously isn't the case anymore. What backdrop better creates a better male bonding atmosphere than a gentleman's club?

The answer to that may vary, depending on the guys you ask, but apparently Bynum and Bryant belong to a group that may affirm that statement.

Some may frown on visits to gentleman's clubs, but there is nothing illegal about visiting them. As a married celebrity, Bryant could have received more criticism or skeptical opinions from traditionalist. 

But as a single man, (though his divorce technically isn't final yet) he is much more free. I think that freedom is helping him to produce on the court, at least from an individual standpoint.

Bryant's scoring numbers have steadily declined since he won back-to-back scoring titles in 2006 and 2007. Some of that is certainly due to a better supporting cast, but it's also indicative of his overall approach at this point in his life.

This year, Kobe has shown a ferocious approach to looking for his shot, with his game bordering on selfish. He is averaging 29.3 points per game, that is the most he's averaged since 2007. Kobe is scoring this way by taking 24 shots per game, the most he's taken since 2006.

At this stage in his life, Kobe's coping mechanisms are trips to gentleman's clubs, and a more me-first approach on the court.

Kobe is dominating on the court, but it has to yet to be determined how his domination will affect the Lakers on a whole. As far as Kobe is concerned, he may need these types of getaways and reaffirmations.

Divorce has a huge emotional effect on most people. Bryant's way of handling the situation lands him in Delilah's and near the top of the NBA's scoring list.

The question still remains, where will it land the Lakers?