Kobe's Fall From Grace

September 18, 2003
by Debra Opri - Attorney and Legal Analyst

While no one is or should be making light of a very serious legal matter for Kobe, the fact remains that the criminal case now pending against him has come to represent all the lost privileges of a golden life of a talented young celebrity basketball player. It is the close up view of a great man's fall from grace. It's a bird's eye view of one of the world's most famous men now caught up in the "system." The legal system.

In many ways, what has happened to Mr. Bryant should not surprise us. It should warn us; that no one is above the law. In Mr. Bryant's instance, the stark truth is that, irrespective of whether a jury finds him guilty or innocent, his life, as he once knew it...is over. His foray into the abyss of the legal system tells us plainly, that whatever happens in the seconds or minutes of a life, carries over to a lifetime. In this instance, Kobe's lifetime may include jail time. And that, in itself, is a tragedy.

Like many others, I am a diehard fan of the Lakers and of Kobe Bryant. I, unlike a few, believed his greatness would eventually surpass that of Michael Jordan. But unlike Michael Jordan, who kept his personal life carefully "maintained" - that is, above reproach - who, retired without any criminal scandal ever touching his doorstep, Kobe Bryant has not been as lucky or smart.

Maybe "luck" is all we are talking about here. Or, maybe, stupidity and immaturity. It seems that we are all aware that celebrities are "special people." They have "special privileges." Unlike the regular guy or girl, they learn that "no" doesn't apply to them. They have everything they could ever want or ask for. And they get it.

Kobe isn't any different from any one of us. He works hard, he worries about his family, and he has good days and bad days like the rest of us. But somewhere the line between his life and ours blurs. Somewhere in the mix of everyday life, his life becomes different from ours. We think it's better, but is it? Sure, he has lots of money. He has talent. He plays for one of the best basketball teams, does commercial representation for some of the biggest products. But where does the life line differ?

I'll tell you. It doesn't. Kobe really does have to get up, brush his teeth, eat his meals, deal with his work and family..and yes, he has to abide by the same laws as everyone else. The only difference is his life exists in a "fish bowl" for all of us to see. Ours isn't. And for this, I feel sorry for him. We all should.

In the end, did Mr. Bryant really want to be famous and live his life in a fish bowl called the media, or did he just want to play basketball? In today's world, can there be a difference? Not really, and Mr. Bryant knew that when he was in Eagle Rock. He knew we would be watching... waiting If he didn't, he should have.