Simers harshes Kobe's mellow

TJ Simers devoted his Sunday column in the L.A. Times to calling out Kobe Bryant as surly, joyless and worse things, "basketball's version of Jeff Kent in so many ways." In Simers' eyes the worst sin an athlete can commit is to be cold to the media or to him personally, but this time Simers seems almost genuinely sad for Bryant.

He's adored by many as a basketball player, and yet it's difficult to find anyone in the Los Angeles-area media who has a decent working relationship with the guy.

Most hold him in contempt, as he does them....

Is there a better example of lost perspective in sports, fans assuming that great talent also makes for a great human being?

He plays a game for a living, but there is no joy in his play, no indication he's having a good time, no exuberance.

Would you want your son growing up to play the game of basketball like Kobe? Of course you would.

Would you want your son growing up to carry on like Kobe does when he plays basketball?

Meanwhile, the Lakers went out Sunday and lost badly to San Antonio.