Festival of Hype, Day III

Kobe Bryant declined to speak today. Again. That’s three days without a word from him. I don’t know whether to be upset that I haven’t heard his pearls of wisdom or pleased by his unwillingness to submit to the circus that has gathered at the Lakers’ practice facility the last few days. Anyway, one of my colleagues was in the midst of a windy question to Lakers coach Phil Jackson about Miami coach Erik Whatshisface when Jackson said, “Oh, I think he’s going to be the Coach of the Year.” Everyone laughed except the reporter who asked the question, which made me laugh even harder. Merry Christmas everyone!