This Isn’t the Way the Triangle Is Supposed to Work

Three points of advice for the Lakers:

1. Laker management: I watch every Laker game for one reason: Kobe. You make the mistake of trading him and your stock plummets, the banners fade and the “triangle” gets as boring to watch as any Eastern Conference team.

2. Shaq: You happen to be playing alongside someone who may go down in history as the greatest player ever. Time to check your Big Ego at the door and accept in a Zen fashion, because if Kobe is no longer wearing a Laker uniform, good luck getting out of the second round of the playoffs, which I guess means more time for your side projects.

3. Supporting cast: Stop sitting around and watching reruns of “As the Lakers Turn,” and start playing some ball.

RICK CIPES

Los Angeles

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In an era of tattoos and gangster rap, the knock on Kobe Bryant actually has been that he wants to turn his game up, he wants to improve, he wants to get better.

He is the reason for the ring on Shaq’s hand, he brings it every day and puts up with an enormous amount of criticism from Phil Jackson. Special doesn’t begin to describe this kid and now we hear that Jackson actually offered Kobe a trade.

It would be hard to put into context the magnitude of such a mistake, but Babe Ruth comes to mind.

BRENNAN CLARKE

Aliso Viejo

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Dear Kobe:

As a lifelong, die-hard Laker fan I have one simple request for you. Could you please stop acting like a spoiled child and start running the offense the way Phil has asked you to. Which is to say, get the ball to Shaq.

Yes, your game has improved greatly, but which would you rather have: another championship or an MVP award and a seat in the stands as another Western Conference team plays for the trophy?

BILL PIENIASZEK

Long Beach

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Does Shaq actually believe he’s the main attraction at the games? Watching him put the ball in the basket after a great pass from one of the other players does nothing for me. Watching him miss one free throw after another infuriates me. A game should be fun to watch, and Kobe makes it just that. When Michael Jordan retired, he took the fun with him. Kobe has brought it back. Shaq’s team indeed! Was he able to win a championship without Kobe? Grow up, O’Neal.

GLORIA MATHYS

Rancho Palos Verdes

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As I sit here, contemplating my higher gas and electric bills, thankful to have a family that pulls together to sacrifice to reduce those bills, I somehow find it hard to sympathize with these two men who are paid millions of dollars to work and be part of a team. I’ll take my unpaid family any day.

JULIE EKLUND

Victorville

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God help Shaq if he ever has to lead a team without Kobe. Oh, but Shaq will make ‘em when they count, remember?

KEVIN BROOKS

San Clemente

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This Kobe-Shaq feud is out of hand. Only one guy is whining and he happens to be shooting 38% from the foul line. Shaq, shut up, play defense and quit with all the big dog talk. This dog’s act has gotten old.

BROCK COOPER

Los Angeles

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Looks like Shaq won’t be buying any police cars this year.

STEVE MORSA

Thousand Oaks