In the city often dubbed as the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” it is certainly not of any shock that recently the Los Angeles Lakers also felt the need to play a role in all its drama. Well, why wouldn’t they? They certainly have the necessary ingredients: large and often undeserved salaries, over-dramatized media hype and, most importantly, lead characters followed by his or her supporting cast.

In the saga that is Kobe Bryant (in this case he’s also our lead character), the next chapter reluctantly brought us to rumors and the speculation surrounding whether or not Bryant wanted to be traded out of Los Angeles. Upon the completion of the 2005-2006 Western Conference Quarterfinals, in which the Lakers were naturally/routinely eliminated by the Phoenix Suns, rumors surfaced claiming that either the Los Angeles Lakers organization would have to make major personnel changes, or Bryant would be walking (meaning he would be flying away in his personal jet). In fact, for once in this city where plastic surgery is as commonplace as getting a haircut, these rumors had some merit and truth behind them. Bryant had, indeed, gone on ESPN Radio with NBA Analyst, Stephen A. Smith, and demanded that he be traded if the Lakers didn’t surround him with some sort of talent.

They were strong words from the captain of the team and face of the organization. Nonetheless, the stage had officially been set for a summer-long series featuring all the usual players: Bryant, Lakers Head Coach Phil Jackson, and the antagonists, Lakers’ General Manager Mitch Kupchak and owner, Dr. Jerry Buss.

Naturally, the Lakers’ brass was quick to downplay the situation and assured its audience (sorry, we mean “fans”), that Bryant would be a Laker next season. After meeting with his now therapist/coach Jackson, Bryant retracted his original position and claimed his words were fueled by frustration and not reason. Basically, he wouldn’t mind sitting back and waiting to see how his needs would be fulfilled (sounds like a lead actor in Hollywood to us). However, just when it seemed as though this highly volatile situation had been alleviated, came the infamous, “Kobe Video.”

Filmed using a cellular phone outside a Newport Beach shopping plaza, the video was a twenty second monologue featuring Bryant venting his frustration once again with the Lakers organization and certain players, most notably Andrew Bynum. Bryant didn’t hold anything back as he even used certain expletives, clearly making this series an R-rated one.

So Bryant did his part, and now we expected the Lakers organization to do its part by telling its loyal followers that everything would be okay, and so on and so forth. However, a quick improvisation on its behalf, a change to the script if you will, and suddenly we heard trade talks involving Bryant, the Dallas Mavericks, and Chicago Bulls, among others. Suddenly Dr. Buss and Kupchak had changed their stance and were entertaining offers of shipping away Bryant for less talented, less experienced and less marketable players. Not shocking, considering these two were the ones solely responsible for getting rid of the most dominant athlete in the NBA, Shaquille O’Neal. We saw how well that worked out, at least for Miami.

However, nothing came of the trade talks and it seemed the Lakers would be dealing with all and any issues strictly behind closed doors. This was a good idea, considering that the preseason, which would kickoff in Hawaii, was just around the corner. But everyone loves a good car wreck and that’s just what Dr. Buss gave us. For no reason and quite ill-timed, Dr. Buss was reported telling Lakers Public Relations reporters that “Kobe Bryant is still tradable” and that he would still entertain trade offers. Adding salt to the wound, fuel to the fire, (create your own or pick one that you like), but Dr. Buss did just that. At a time when team unity and chemistry is essential, once again Bryant was forced to react. Last week reports came out that Bryant’s locker had been cleaned out and he had sat out of practice due to a minor knee injury. When interviewed and asked whether or not he would be a Laker at the start of the season, Bryant stated he would play if he was a Laker and that he didn’t clean out his locker. We have gone through an entire summer with uncertainty; the season started with a Laker loss so we still wonder: “Kobe or not Kobe?”