Don't blame it all on Kobe Bryant

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - Suddenly, he decided to be selfish again, to empty his holster as if the NBA had instituted a 2.4-second shot clock, to attempt to lift his team at a time when he could barely lift his baby daughter.

That's your theory, huh?

For a guy with three NBA championships, Kobe Bryant sometimes sure struggles to win.

Gotta be honest today, folks, some of you are insane. Or drinking too much. Or not drinking enough.

Or not drinking the proper octane of whatever it is you're drinking.

You want to blame the Lakers' Game 4 loss Sunday on Bryant, noting his 1-for-7 shooting in overtime, a period during which none of his teammates attempted more than one shot?

Go ahead. Then go ahead and try to market a new video game called "Grand Theft Hoveround."

You're crazy, crazier than Dennis Rodman playing the role of Charles Manson in a movie starring The Wiggles.

First of all, the Lakers don't reach overtime in Utah without Bryant. They don't even reach Utah at all this postseason without his unselfish play.

His performance in the fourth quarter, his ability to still preoccupy the Jazz defenders despite a barking lower back, was epic.

Sorry, but it's hard to understand how a man can be branded self-seeking when he's willing to sacrifice something as important as his health.

Derek Fisher hit those 3-pointers, yes. He made the most important plays. But why do you think he had the room to make them? Same with Lamar Odom's game-tying jumper and overtime-inducing layup.