How Kobe Bryant Narrowly Avoided Pulling a LeBron James

Winning doesn't just heal wounds; it also erases memories.

Back-to-back championships and a concerted public relations effort, combined with LeBron James' alienating Decision, have vaulted Kobe Bryant's reputation to a combination of admirable and likable.

The words “leader” and “winner” are now frequently and willingly thrown his way.

We've already forgotten that Kobe, a mere three years ago, was a breath from becoming more the villain than even LeBron is today.

The championship champagne has nearly drowned out the memory of Kobe angrily insulting his teammates, demanding a trade, and allowing fans and media to enlarge the possibility of No. 24 playing in the house No. 23 built (Chicago).

Bryant was a 29-year-old throwing a tantrum worthy of a two-year-old. He was a child who, unlike LeBron, was restrained by the seat belt of his contract. Bryant wanted out, but needed the Lakers’ help to escape.

Instead of Bryant getting shipped out of L.A., Memphis sent over a gift-wrapped Pau Gasol. And like an upset infant being appeased, Bryant immediately grew quiet after his demands were met.

Here’s a thought: If the Gasol trade doesn’t happen, and Bryant gets traded to a contender, does he become the 2007 version of this year’s LeBron? Do Lakers’ fans insult him instead of idolize him?

Of course they do.

One trade was the difference. A once-in-a-lifetime, incredibly lopsided trade kept Bryant from becoming as nationally frowned upon as LeBron is now. If Memphis wasn’t so mind-bogglingly generous, we’d be talking about Kobe as the guy who can’t carry his team. We’d be saying something like, “As soon as it got tough, Kobe got out.” Instead of climbing closer to Jordan, he’d be, well, like LeBron is now.

We’d be referencing Kobe’s 2007 series against Phoenix the same way we’re crucifying LeBron right now for his in-game surrender against Boston. Because Kobe’s squeaky wheel got the grease and all the glory that followed, we choose to forget that. We ignore his three-point, three-shot second-half in a star-defining Game 7.

Is Kobe really that much better because his demands were met and James’ weren’t? Should we admire Kobe more because his temper tantrum was more outspoken, and thus easier to pander to?

Is it James’ fault that instead of a Pau Gasol, he got playoff-AWOL Mo Williams, a washed-up Shaq, and a consistent loser in Antawn Jamison? The Lakers lucked out, and Kobe’s image and success benefited. The Cavs didn’t, and LeBron suffered for it. So suddenly Kobe’s a winner and LeBron’s a loser? Please.

If Gasol doesn’t ride into town, Kobe rides out and gets booed in L.A. just as badly as LeBron will be in Cleveland. We forget how close we were to seeing that happen.

LeBron's behavior was like a sullen teenager who held everything in before finally dropping the bombshell. Kobe's act was that of a screaming toddler, who became quiet only when provided his pacifier (Gasol).

If winning can make us forget that, then LeBron’s image should recover before all is said and done.