The Lakers Organization and Basketball as a whole has grossly disrespected and undermined Kobe Bryant as a player and a person. The Lakers organization by the moves they have made, and the rumours they have let run rapid that they had the power to eradicate. For example the Kobe ran Shaq out of town. Shaq came to preseason out of shape. Shaq asked for a trade if they kept Kobe the Lakers called Shaq's bluff. Not to mention they totally wasted Kobe's prime with bench warmers for starters smh. They went with the future which was Kobe and it payed off. The NBA has disrespected Kobe by in large the worst, first with the idiotic comparisons to Lebron. PER ratings don't win championships call me when Lebron stops passing the blame/ball in the clutch and starts making those shots. There has been no player in the history of the NBA that they have tried to tear down more then Kobe Bryant. He is the only shooting guard that is venerated for SHOOTING!!. He's 33 years old leads his team in minutes played, leads the league in scoring, leads his team in assist, gets absolutely 0 production from the point guard and small forward positions not to mention the lakers bench is about as hot as chicago in mid january. They trade Odom last years SIXTH MAN ON THE YEAR RECIPIENT, trade rumours linger over Pau and Bynums head yet they are still middle of the pact. But yet Kobe isn't a major contender for MVP! because of a PER rating. Lebron plays on one of the best teams talent wise ever assembled ofcourse he will get numbers. He's 6'8 260 lbs everyone that size shoots over 50% from the field every one look it up. When Kobe retires even people that hated him will miss him because he is the last of his time.