Weekend Diversion: Kobes to the Lottery

With last night's loss to the Pacers, the L.A. Kobes have probably cemented their coveted place in the 2005 draft lottery. The Kobes are now below .500 with only 17 games left in the regular (and their only) season.

Steve Kerr on the great unravelling:

Bryant's desire to lead his own team to a championship may one day yield him another title, but at this point it seems like a distant mirage. Entering Friday's games, the Lakers trailed 1½ games behind Denver for the West's eighth and final playoff spot, and their schedule does not lend itself to a strong finish.

One wonders if Kobe spends any time at all pondering the events that led to Shaq's departure. Does he stay up at night thinking about what might have been? Does he wonder if he made a huge mistake in letting the Big Fella leave town? Does he ever consider that the two of them could have formed the NBA's greatest duo ever? Does he realize he could have worn six or seven championship rings by the end of his career?

Be careful what you wish for indeed.

I know most basketball fans are focused on March Madness about now. My preferred version is here.