JT the Brick

Kobe Bryant took a few days off since his magical 81-point performance Sunday night against the Toronto Raptors.

I wonder if he enjoyed his time off? He lives in a huge mansion in southern California with his pregnant wife and beautiful baby girl. The weather has been fantastic, and I hope he had time to enjoy all of the luxuries of life that he has worked so hard for. I say this because Kobe continues to be ripped on sports talk radio and by millions of detractors who follow the NBA.

The Kobe haters are out in full force, and his 81-point performance only got them more fired up to blast him around the clock.

“Kobe is a ball hog! Did you watch the last five minutes of the game against the Raptors?” my neighbor asked me. Before I could say yes, he said Bryant took every shot down the stretch without looking to pass to any of his open teammates.

My response: His teammates mostly enjoyed watching Kobe dominate the pathetic Raptors and did not want to spoil the good time that every fan was having watching history in the making.

A cab driver raised his voice and said Bryant would not have been able to score 81 against the Detroit Pistons or San Antonio Spurs.

My response: I agree, but those teams were playing in other cities on that night and Kobe was not able to book an exhibition game between the San Antonio Pistons, a combination of the best players on both of those teams.

"Kobe is no Michael Jordan!" a caller to my radio show shouted.

EXPLOSIVE KOBE BRYANT Bryant starts new month, in Indiana Big January sets high expectations Ventre: Kobe must share if he wants title Kobe 'embarrassed' by talk of 81-point night TSN: Most dazzling, but not most valuable JT the Brick: One of greatest of all-time Litke: Kobe-haters running out of excuses Vote: What will Kobe do next? Where does scoring night rank?

My response: Jordan played in the league when the Toronto was an expansion franchise, and he never scored anywhere close to 81 against those scrubs.

Kobe will never be considered the player that he was a few short years ago until he wins another championship. He plays on a below-average team that is trying to find its way in the highly competitive Western Conference, and they do not have enough quality players to win on a consistent basis.

Coach Phil Jackson does not expect the Lakers to win a championship this season, so it is a good time for Bryant to try to take over games until general manager Mitch Kupchak can surround him with better players. Bryant probably will have to get on Dr. Jerry Buss’ private jet and fly around the country to pitch several high quality free agents on the benefits of playing with him.