Kobe Bryant: Phoenix Bound

Woah! Relax! Easy! I'm not talking about a trade to the Phoenix Suns. I was talking metaphorically. As in the rise of the Phoenix? You know, the mythical bird that never dies, the one who flies ahead to the front, always scanning the landscape and distant space? The one who rises from the flames to once again soar and create intense excitement and deathless inspiration?

He has done it hasn't he? He has overcome and has risen out of the flames and ashes of the Shaq trade, the Phil Jackson firing, Phil's book calling him uncoachable, the Colorado rape case, the Colorado civil suit, $4 million dollar ring public apology, the lost endorsements, the whining and crying to the press, and all the other obstacles unmentioned. 

He is once again one of the sport's favorite players.

This was an interesting topic of conversation between some of my friends and I as we sat around a basketball court in between pickup games. Have we become a society of forgivers based on a sport hero's success after his downfall? Do we easily and conveniently forget the violations that insulted our morals and beliefs? Can we continue to honestly tell ourselves that it no longer matters, the past is the past? Can we continue to say that this is sport, it has nothing to do with the personal life side?

The endorsements are coming back to Mr. Bryant. The advertising displays a likeable, larger than life version of the small man that sat crying in a press conference only a few years ago. The live camera shot of the dedicated family man being greeted by his wife and kids after every game in the arena tunnel is replacing a tarnished image of a deceitful and forceful cheat.

The strong heavy handed father figure he displays to his teammate on the court will continue to be praised by the media. His maneuvering, threats, court selfishness, and openly visual disdain for other players will continue to be explained as competetivenes.

Mr. Bryant smiled, laughed, and danced at the Lakers Championship victory parade. He has cause to dance. He is once again a champion, credited as the player that took his team to the championship. His jersey is again the top selling jersey in the NBA. He is the coveted star watched and loved by rock stars, movie stars, and every other shiny twinkler in Los Angeles and in the NBA world.

The fans have forgotten his offenses in Denver and cheers loudly his offense in L.A. The media who once wrote about his defense in Colorado now only praises his defense on the court. Those that took away his endorsements contracts fearing negative consumer opinion, slowly tested the waters 'till it was once again safe to assume that society has forgiven the golden child.

Congratulations Mr. Bryant. You have arrived at the top of the mountain once again to look down upon the masses and find a deliriously happy blind fanbase that has forgiven you. The Phoenix has risen.