Ross D. Franklin / AP

Kobe Bryant is ruining whatever good will he has left among Lakers fans with his childish antics of late, writes JT the Brick.

The Phil factor
Lakers coach Phil Jackson must again hold Bryant’s hand and tell him everything will be all right. This is not Jackson’s style because he is used to dealing with adults who know the meaning of respect and dignity. If the Buss family and Jackson can find a way to calm Bryant down throughout this summer, I expect a blockbuster trade to go down that will drastically improve the Lakers. The trade should make everyone happy again in Hollywood, but Bryant will still be considered a snake by everyone who deals with him on a personal or professional level.

Decision time
The Lakers and Bryant look like two outlaws staring each other down at the OK Corral. Who is going to reach for their six-shooter first? Bryant has little to no respect for Buss's children who now have major roles within the franchise along with general manager Mitch Kupchak. The Buss family understands that Kobe is under contract for another two seasons and cannot go anywhere unless the family agrees to trade him. Bryant can cry all he wants about wanting to win, but unless he gets traded to a team that has enough talent to win immediately, he will find himself unhappy in a new city with a wife who left a charmed life in Southern California.

Bryant is owed more than $88 million on his deal but might think the grass is greener in Chicago or New York. Too bad he has a no-trade clause, because a straight-up trade for Garnett would make the Lakers potentially better and send No. 24 to a franchise that would continue to struggle.

Both sides have leverage in this ongoing saga, but Dr. Buss will always be loved and respected by the majority of Lakers fans while Kobe is burning bridges left and right with the world's best sports fans.