Both men want to be The Man. Neither seems to comprehend the value of coexistence. If the Los Angeles Lakers' nascent dynasty should disintegrate after one NBA championship, it will not be because of a lack of excellence but a surplus of ego. Selfishness has ruined more teams than alcohol, drugs and Mike Brown combined. It is the most insidious attitude in sports and perhaps the most inevitable.
Human nature is to aspire to a larger piece of the pie and a little more of the limelight.
This helps explain Antwan Jones' decision to bolt the University of Cincinnati and Michael Richards' misguided attempt at playing a lead character. To succeed in a shared enterprise, however, it is necessary to curb one's natural narcissism. The Lakers have lost their way this season primarily because Bryant has become more interested in expanding his role than his ring collection. He is leading the league in scoring but at the expense of sharing, strategy and the standings. Now, with Bryant insisting on more shots and missing many of them, the Lakers have slipped to third place in the Pacific Division.