Kobe Bryant - PhillyBlog

SteveJohnston · #1 (**permalink**) 07-21-2003, 04:21 PM

Another hero has fallen, or has he? Kobe Bryant was charged with rape in Colorado recently and yet, it is hard to say whether his squeakly-clean image will suffer or whether he will gain some credibility in some circles. What do you think? (Please no speculation on innocence or guilt until evidence is presented.)

SteveJohnston · #2 (**permalink**) 07-24-2003, 06:20 PM

Bryant's hometown heartsick over assault charge
http://famulus.msnbc.com/famulusspt/...54.asp?spt=nba
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Quote:

ARDMORE, Pa., July 24 — Lower Merion High School waited just six years to retire the number Kobe Bryant wore when he led the Aces to the 1996 state championship. Bryant was still only 24 then, but it seemed like there was no better role model for students.

''This is one of the most remarkable young people I've ever seen,'' said David Magill, the school district's superintendent when Bryant attended Lower Merion. ''He had a work ethic that was just incomparable ... He had this incredible gentleness with young children. He was just exceptional.''
Now, the high-achieving school on Philadelphia's wealthy Main Line faces the possibility that the number hanging in its gym might someday belong to a felon.
It's a prospect many in Bryant's suburban hometown find hard to believe, and few are ready to take down the banners and photographs celebrating Bryant's career. But the case has many stepping gingerly around questions they never thought they'd have to answer.

What are your thoughts on this case? How do you think this will effect Kobe's legacy here?

Sixers_Chic4lyfe · #3 (**permalink**) 08-05-2003, 01:37 PM

ok i'm not gonna tell u weather i think Kobe did it or not b/c no matter what i think it ain't up to me what happens to him.............but what i will say is that i think everyone should wait until the court says what they have to say before they go around accusing him. I also think that it is rediculous (s.p.?) that he is losin endoursment deals because of accusations before the real facts come out. All i will say is that i will support Kobe as a person and as a player until i have reasons not to.

SteveJohnston · #4 (**permalink**) 08-05-2003, 02:46 PM

I agree with you completely! Although even if it was just as simple as him cheating on his wife, I can see how a company might want to pull an endorsement deal.

Do you think that athletes are treated fairly in cases like this?

JenniferKronstain · #5 (**permalink**) 10-10-2003, 02:01 PM

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...se_newspaper_1

"In an editorial Thursday titled "Kobe Who?" the Aspen Daily News said it would end its coverage of the NBA star's case until there is a settlement or verdict."

THis is interesting ... and I've heard many sentiments in this direction the past day or two, since he's been back in court. Some say the solution for reporters and journalists is not to reveal anyone's information ... removing the "star" issue from thetable. Others say the story is an object lesson on not only the perils of celebrity, but on the consequences of abuse.

I don't agree with ignoring it completely - but I am in favor of putting it in context with the news that has a true impact on the readership of a given outlet ... ify ou only watched CNN on the subject, you would think that this was the end of theworld, since they seem to revisit the story every hour via a discussion of some sort, etc. (outside of hourly headlines). His status as an idol to youngsters does have an impact onthem, for sure, but it's not like the job market is impacted, or taxes are being raised, etc. There's no tangible impact on people's everyday lives.

SteveJohnston · #6 (**permalink**) 10-10-2003, 02:54 PM

Ahh, but if we as viewers/readers want to hear more, then they will continue to give it to us. I think it is up to us, don't you?

JenniferKronstain · #7 (**permalink**) 10-10-2003, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveJohnston

Ahh, but if we as viewers/readers want to hear more, then they will continue to give it to us. I think it is up to us, don't you?

It's up to us to take in what we want or change the channel, for sure.

Considering only this newspaper's readership, though, it doesn't have a choice b/c the story isn't being covered - the editors there decided it was not newsworthy enough - certainly within their rights, and their roles, but somewhat controversial for a general interest publication like a newspaper.

It's one thing for a newsletter about supermarkets or something not to have it in there, but for a newspaper not to cover this is interesting ... really raises the question about catering to readership, how much is too much, etc.

I wonder ... if news outlets took more action like this, local news outlets I mean, what would that mean for the community and, though it may not change the community's world view, it certainly does impct it. It also impacts how the term "newsworthy" is defined.

chrissayer · #8 (**permalink**) 09-02-2004, 06:44 PM

Okay - how long can we ignore this one. Who got justice - Kobe or the alleged victim?

Inquirer reader polls shows 61% of respondents don't think justice was done. Unfortunately, it doesn't say what justice would have been.

So, is this a good result?

monavano · #9 (**permalink**) 09-02-2004, 06:49 PM

Is it totally over though? I heard it was still going to be a civil case. I'm not a lawyer, but it would appear his attorney did a great job for him. They always looked calm, well put together and appeared both respectful and professional.

skroah · #10 (**permalink**) 09-02-2004, 07:08 PM

I find it all pretty annoying. Guilt or no guilt the alleged victim was not treated fairly by the legal system or the media. I didn't follow the case very often but when I did the overwhelming tone was something like "Oh yeah Kobe did it but check out this sluts past and what she did before and after the event". And didn't the press leak her name? I don't know it seemed like a "slut" trial to me.

Finally Kobe's apology? Had to be part of the agreement. He praises her to high heaven, admits that they did not have TRUE consensual sex, in my mind admits guilt then says this statement won't be used against him in the civil case.

Judge for yourself.

Quote:

"First, I want to apologize directly to the young woman involved in this incident. I want to apologize to her for my behavior that night and for the consequences she has suffered in the past year. Although this year has been incredibly difficult for me personally, I can only imagine the pain she has had to endure. I also want to apologize to her parents and family members, and to my family and friends and supporters, and to the citizens of Eagle, Colo.

I also want to make it clear that I do not question the motives of this young woman. No money has been paid to this woman. She has agreed that this statement will not be used against me in the civil case. Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did. After months of reviewing discovery, listening to her attorney, and even her testimony in person, I now understand how she feels that she did not consent to this encounter.

I issue this statement today fully aware that while one part of this case ends today, another remains. I understand that the civil case against me will go forward. That part of this case will be decided by and between the parties directly involved in the incident and will no longer be a financial or emotional drain on the citizens of the state of Colorado."

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