Irate fan slams Kobe

With the preliminary hearing on Kobe Bryant’s sexual assault case only a few weeks away, a deluge of mail from readers is flooding The Star to express support for the Los Angeles Lakers star or disgust.

Mario Rivera of [email protected] described as "very disturbing" a column I wrote on Bryant’s misadventure. In the column, I tried to be as objective as possible and cautioned readers not to be hasty in judging either Bryant or his accuser, 19-year-old Katelyn Kristine Faber.

"Reading Mr. Henson’s column will give you the impression that the complainant’s questionable character makes her allegations not true but just her ‘ticket to fame’ and a person of Kobe’s stature is not capable of committing such a heinous crime," wrote Rivera. "When a woman says no, no man has the right to impose himself upon her, no matter how rich and famous he is and no matter what kind of life she leads. No means no. Even prostitutes have the right to say no."

Another reader Jason Morales (e-mail address withheld upon request) questioned Faber’s motive of delivering room service as a concierge at 10 p.m. and consorting with Bryant in his suite. "Kobe admitted committing adultery but said he never forced himself on the girl, that they had consensual sex," noted Morales. "Entering Kobe’s room at 10 p.m. meant she had something in mind. Kobe can get any girl he wants, what with his fame and money. He doesn’t need to force himself on a girl. He can get any girl he wants. I’m sure he was set up so the girl can rip him off."

A basketball fan also mentioned that if only Bryant was more like Allen Iverson, he would’ve found a way to silence the girl at the onset without a scandal blowing up–for the right price. He would’ve spent $3 Million, instead of $4 Million, for the purple diamond ring–his peace offering to wife Vanessa–and set aside $1 Million to pay off Faber. But because Bryant isn’t used to this kind of mess, he put himself in a hole and his lawyers who are just after his money are taking him for a long ride. That’s one version of the story.

Bryant, 25, is eligible for a $55 Million three-year extension of his $70.9 Million contract with the Lakers after this coming season and last June, inked a five-year, $45 Million contract to endorse Nike. But his wholesome image as an icon has suffered irreparable damage because of Faber’s accusation. Whether or not he is eventually cleared, Bryant will never be the same again.

"I have a lot at stake," said Bryant, a Catholic. "And that has nothing to do with the game of basketball, nothing to do with endorsements. This is about us. This is about our family. I am falsely accused of something."

On the Lakers’ chances this National Basketball Association (NBA) season, Mervyn Folloso of [email protected] said Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal need support. Will Karl Malone and Gary Payton play beautiful music with the Awesome Twosome to make a unstoppable quartet? Or will they end up fighting each other for the ball in what could turn out to be a royal mess? Will there be too many egos clashing in Lala Land?

"I am a Filipino-Canadian living in Vancouver and I read The Philippine Star website daily," wrote Folloso. "I agree that Phil Jackson was lucky to have those players while winning championships but I want to point out that those players or teams wouldn’t have won championship after championship if not for Phil’s guidance. I am not an avid fan of Jackson but I have to give him props for what he accomplished."

A certain Dennis of [email protected] commented on the idea of trading Bryant for Iverson. "I’m based in Los Angeles and I read your article about the Lakers," he wrote. "If the Lakers get Iverson, they would go small in their backcourt. That would just pose a problem for the Lakers. I’d still go for Kobe. He’s a better defensive player than Iverson."

Will the Lakers regain the NBA crown this season? Tell us what you think.