This is an alarming and discouraging trend that seems to have plagued both collegiate and professional sports. The problem I see is that you take some often underprivileged kids and you make them superheroes. Look -- you don't have to be the star QB to be a stud on campus. You get favors, you make friends (often for the wrong reasons), girls surround you, and teachers give you special treatment. All of a sudden, a 19-year-old kid becomes invincible. Next thing you know, you're telling off a cop in the gas station parking lot, showing off your gun (which you wouldn't need if you weren't already in the wrong crowd), and dealing drugs (oh, I'm sorry, helping a friend get some that you were in NO way going to be around or do yourself). . . .
At some point, we have to realize that it's our society that creates this kind of stardom and awe. They are just kids. A bunch of thugs and punks who just so happen to be fast and able to catch a football. Until we focus on educating them to be responsible and parents start raising them with a stronger moral upbringing, the likes of Kobe and Jamal will continue to fall prey to the temptations that WE provide, day in and day out.
Hey, these cats are still eligible for transfer to Miami, right?