The Sports Page

Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal obviously had their differences. The question is, was Bryant or O'Neal the problem in L.A.? Whoever it was the controversy between the two lead to the dismissal of O'Neal in the off season. It seems to me that Bryant is the obvious downfall of this organization. Gary Payton and Derek Fisher are no longer in the Laker lineup. The mailman, Karl Malone, is said to return within the next two weeks from knee surgery. However, his return to the Lakers is highly unlikely. Malone no longer considers the Lakers an option after Bryant's comments on a local radio station. Bryant said that it was unfair that the Laker organization had to deal with the possible return of Malone, although last year Bryant held his impending free agency over the organization last year. Malone has recently been receiving calls from the Heat, Spurs, Mavericks, and the Timberwolves. He has also kept in touch with former teammate and friend Shaquille O'Neal. Look to see Malone in a Heat's jersey sometime in the near future.