NEW YORK — For those still engrossed in the Spurs-Cavaliers series, Kobe Bryant met Friday in Barcelona, Spain, with Lakers owner Jerry Buss and demanded to be traded. More or less — depending on which interview of the glut he did with U.S. journalists we accept as true — Kobe's request reinforces the portion he has yet to retract.
Don't worry if you're having trouble following the bouncing Bryant, it's still early in the crisis. I always go with whatever mind-set sticks in a best-of-seven continent circuit.
If I'm Chicago, I unplug and shut off all phones, stick cotton in my ears if necessary, anything to help resist the Siren of Kobe. No matter what it would take, cosmic package or a mere pittance, and, I suspect, it ain't gonna approach that. More like two hardcore players, maybe three and the No. 9 pick in the June 28 draft.