Focus now returns
to Bryant's on-court legacy

You know those silhouettes of Michael Jordan. The ones of MJ hanging in the air, ball raised, legs as propellers for that tennis shoe company. That was Kobe Bryant during this messy business in Colorado.

Suspended animation.

Bryant’s career path was neither up nor down during the sordid affair. He was just there. Rising star? Not in the last year. His team didn’t win a title.

Falling star? Not quite. No matter what the majority of white people thought about the rape allegations, he still had hordes of fans.

But now that he is no longer on trial for his freedom, Bryant can get back to the wreck he caused in L.A.

He can try and reclaim his legacy as one of the best players ever in the game for a franchise that desperately needed him to stay out of jail.

Bryant case Kobe, accuser settle Ventre: Kobe can redeem image Vote: What's next? Case timeline

Does he have a chance?

You bet.

How would you feel if you just dodged a 20-year stay behind bars? Elated? Ready to soar? Ready to go for 40, I'd say.

Bryant’s adrenaline must be pumping. There must be some rejuvenation in knowing that you are no longer one courtroom blunder from going to jail until you’re gray.

And on top of that, Shaq is still gone — and so is the triangle offense — and Phil Jackson.

That offense, which was more like the devilish Bermuda Triangle because of the friction it caused between Kobe and Shaq, is on the history shelf.

In its place will be …. Showtime. The Lakers will leave scorch marks and try and resurrect the free-wheeling style made famous by Magic Johnson.

Bryant will run with Lamar Odom and Caron Butler, who were acquired from the Heat in the trade for O’Neal. Forward Brian Grant was also picked up in the deal and he is not a spare part, but a decent player. Karl Malone could still play again.

Vlade Divac will be serviceable as a center. There is a hole at point guard with the trade of Gary Payton, so Chucky Atkins has to step in and step up.

The irony is that until Butler unleashes his potential as a terrific player, the Lakers might be exactly what they were when we last saw them in the playoffs: a two-man team.

Bryant and Odom will take most of the shots and score most of the points.

The wild card is Butler, a former first-round pick who doesn’t usually like being dumped on. He was one of the five best players in the draft two years ago and fell to No. 10 and played well because of the snub. Butler might be a difference-maker if he plays like he has something to prove.

Whatever he accomplishes, however, will be at the pleasure of Bryant. My feeling is Bryant will try and make this a cohesive team under Rudy T. Share the ball, at least until the last 5 seconds on the shot clock.

Bryant will want no more feuds; no Shaq-like antics.

But as Kobe gets back into basketball, he better be good. He’ll never regain his touch on endorsements, but he better regain his shooting touch in order to regain his legacy.

Nobody will listen to any excuses that he doesn’t have a big man to take the pressure off. Kobe had a big man and he ran him off.

As whispers of Michael Jordan’s comeback stir fantasies, Bryant better play like the Air Apparent.

If he doesn’t, LeBron James will be right there to hog the spotlight. If it isn’t James, it will be Kevin Garnett or Tracy McGrady.

If Bryant isn’t spectacular this season, Shaq will gloat on a winning team in Miami and the blame for the demise of the Lakers will rest with Bryant.

It was Bryant’s star power in basketball that got him out of his legal jam. Not because his fame influenced a judge, but because he is so good at what he does he could pay a million bucks for great lawyers.

Now his star power has to get him out of a jam in L.A. If the Lakers are a bust, he’s got to answer for it. Not only does he have to play well, he has to drag along Odom, who flamed out in L.A. once before with the Clippers.

It’s nice being Kobe Bryant on payday (7 years, $136.4 million), but the responsibility the rest of the week will be immense. Bryant’s personal reputation is in tatters with the allegations in Colorado and his basketball reputation is sullied by his selfishness in the NBA Finals.

With Shaq gone and a franchise in his hands, Bryant has a chance to at least mend his basketball legacy. No millionaire lawyer can help with that piece of business.

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