Millionaire Children Sometimes Act Like Children

Jason Whitlock is not surprised that Kobe Bryant is melting down:

Kobe’s been headed for trouble ever since stories started circulating that he’d severed his relationship with his parents. Dating and marrying a child when he himself was still immature was another tell-tale sign. Kids mistake a big bank account with being grown. Immature people are in a rush to be grown so they can make all the mistakes that grown folks make.

Kobe wanted to be like Mike. Not just on the court. Kobe wanted the trophy wife, the trophy kids and the trophies on his bedpost. Mike spent three years in college learning “The Game,” learning the hustle. When Mike hit the NBA he was a man ready to deal in a man’s world. And Mike had the good fortune of landing in Chicago, a tough city, but Pleasantville compared to L.A.

So Kobe is melting down. He doesn’t know how to pacify Shaq, the spoiled, lazy, good-natured behemoth who needs honey — not vinegar — to bring out his best. Kobe’s too full of himself to realize how much he needs Shaq. Go ask Penny Hardaway how much Kobe needs Shaq. Has anybody seen Lil’ Penny since Shaq left Orlando?

I’m not suggesting that Shaq is right and Kobe is wrong. I’m suggesting that Kobe can’t win this power struggle, and, particularly given his legal troubles, he shouldn’t even be waging a public war with Shaq.

But as Kobe melts we’re learning he’s not very savvy. He tried to fix his marriage with a $4-million ring and a tattoo. I guess the ring and the tatt are supposed to remind teenage hotel clerks that Kobe is off limits. Or maybe they’re to remind Kobe. Whatever.

This is all very, very sad. I pray there a few high school superstars watching this NBA soap opera unfold. You might think LeBron James is safe in Cleveland. I’m not so sure. No child is ready for NBA TV.

True enough.

Here’s my more succinct but otherwise similar take from July:

Yeah yeah, I know Bryant maintains a squeaky clean image for marketing purposes.

But should it really shock us when athletes go straight from high school to millionaire status, almost overnight, with no stop at college (in Kobe’s case) to do some growing up? Or, in the case of many, after making only a brief appearance in college to hone their millionaire skills a bit (and with rules being bent every step of the way)?

Shouldn’t it really be more shocking that these children-millionaires, who can buy their way out of most anything and who have throngs of adoring fans who think they can do no wrong, aren’t in trouble more often?