The Myth of Kobe's Hubris | DAILY SPORTS SELECT

Prior to getting knocked out in 9 seconds against someone almost 50,
Tim Sylvia vowed to box "for all the MMA community."

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I'm not going to go over the details; if you had been watching at least some of the Los Angeles Lakers games throughout the NBA Playoffs, then you know how much Kobe Bryant has improved his ability to control tempo with his complete game that encompasses world class scoring, ball-handling, passing, defense and rebounding.

That's why I believe that all the talk of Kobe's uncontrollable pride and ego were overdone. There's a grain of truth to the accusations, no doubt, but I attribute a large part of that to youth and immaturity.

The truth is that if Kobe was full of hubris, then he wouldn't have been able to develop his nirvana-like basketball game nor would he have finally carried his team to a title - without Shaq. It's true that there wasn't a team in this year's playoffs that was on the level of the 2008 Boston Celtics, but a championship is a championship.

Obviously, Kobe knew he was deficient in certain areas. And he worked tirelessly to strengthen himself in all aspects of the game, especially in developing an in-depth understanding of basketball. The man knew he could improve his leadership qualities, and the hard work has paid off.

I'm not saying the 2009 run has been perfect. There were times when Kobe looked like he was shooting the Lakers out of games. There were times when he should've stepped up his performance. But he's finally shed his demons.

Kobe's had some bumps in the road, on and off the court. He's had his vices, his accusations. He's had his haters. I myself didn't exactly warm up to Kobe.

But this is simply reiteration. My skepticism regarding Kobe has been gone for some time now.

Well done, Kobe. Keep up the good work. Regardless of what happens, I can never doubt you again.

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If you want to talk hubris, talk Tim Sylvia. The former UFC heavyweight champion was supposedly boxing "for all the MMA community" but my feeling is that he took the almost-50-year old former heavyweight champion boxer Ray Mercer lightly - and got knocked out in 9 seconds.

Sylvia vs. Mercer : Where will Timber happen this year?
courtesy of Upstanding F***ing Citizens

Legal issues surrounding the fight turned what was originally a boxing match-in-a-cage into an MMA fight, but it didn't matter. Mercer simply struck first like lightning - and Sylvia crashed onto the canvas like a tree, with his lights already out.

Tim Sylvia disrespected the sport of boxing by openly eyeing the "ridiculous pay" before he proved he could box, so he got what he asked for. He could certainly take a cue from Kobe and Miguel Cotto on what it means to be a true professional.

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If Tim Sylvia acted like a douche, at least Mirko Cro Cop was honest when he signed a three-fight deal with DREAM although he fought well in knocking out Mostapha Al-turk at UFC 99.

Deducing from the fact that he was disappointing in his prior stint in UFC and that he's adored in Japan, I think Cro Cop wanted the adulation that he would be getting in DREAM.

If Cro Cop is more comfortable fighting in front of the Japanese fanbase rather than being judged by fickle American MMA fans and the cold world of UFC, then more power to him.