Kobe admits the sex, denies rape

[UNT96]

Well, Kobe admitted it. He cheated on his wife but didn't rape the girl I hate it every time the news says he is up for charges of raping a teenager, she is 19 years old... that is an adult. Her little friend was on Dateline last night and she says there was no doubt in her miod that he assaulted her friend. I freaking hate this crap, she has sex with a star and then cries rape. I hate the Lakers but this isn't basketball, this is basic human emotion and they are dealing with this guy's life here.

on the same note, the girl accusing him is trying to make it as a singer in show business, go figure.

[CMJ]

Well who knows if he did rape her...but it's BIG time news here. That and the Santa Monica car accident take up about 20 minutes of the local news(everything but the weather and sports basically).

[eagle60]

He admits he "held the smoking gun," but the victum wanted to be shot. Pleeaassee!

He's a married guy with a young child and no matter if it was consentual or not, he lowered himself in the eyes of his fans, not to mention his wife! <_<

[CMJ]

Speaking of which...I can't believe how composed she looked today. She musta beat the hell out of him or something.

[emmitt01]

"she has sex with a star and then cries rape. I hate the Lakers but this isn't basketball, this is basic human emotion and they are dealing with this guy's life here."

Stebo, I'm gonna hope you're right on this one...because I absolutely HATE it when we are so quick to condemn the victim because we don't want to believe our celebrities are fallable. From the moment this news broke the consensus has been "Kobe would never do something like that, he seems so nice" or "A guy like Kobe would never have to rape a woman." What about the flip side? What about the fact that celebrities have an overgrown sense of entitlement? What about the fact that we coddle our athletes and other celebs because we're so star struck? Again, I hope the man is innocent...but I can't stand to see us play judge, jury and executioner...against the victim!

[eagle60]

Good post, Emmitt. The man admits the contact. The DA says he has physical evidence to charge him. It doesn't sound good for Kobe but we can't turn our heads away from waiting for the evidence.

You are right about celebraties getting favorable treatment. What are our thoughts about Gary Condit, or Bill Clinton? It shouldn't let them off the hook for behavior, and being a role model for younger kids.

[CMJ]

Actually, I think he probably is guilty. The evidence seems pretty convincing at this point. I think Los Angeles is about to into mourning.

This city is in major denial right now.

[EagleChick03]

Very good post, Emmitt. I think that is important to keep in mind in this situation.

Watching that news conference, I just couldn't believe his wife. Is she insane?? How can she sit there so calmly while he says all of that. How can she stay with him. I think it makes her look stupid to sit there in support of him.

The emotion in his voice and his choice of words really make me think he was admitting to more than he said.

[JayDub]

Speaking of which (Kobe's Wife)...I can't believe how composed she looked today.  She musta beat the hell out of him or something. 

Ummmm....I think at this point...it's about the money.

[CMJ]

Please.... If she divorced him at this point she'd walk away with ALOT of money.

[GreenBat]

But if she stays with him. She'll get even more.

I don't know what to think. I can't get any hotel clerk to come to my room at midnight. She knew what she was going there for. But if she said No. Nothing should have happened.

[The AFLAC Duck]

what's the saying? talks like a duck, looks like a duck, acts like a duck, must be a duck?

I don't want to be quick to judge, but she seems pretty credible...its up to the courts to decide now though.

[eagle60]

Somehow the accuser's condition shouldn't be too large a factor. If Bryant was aware that the accuser was under some kind of condition he still doesn't get off the hook. If he took advantage of her, sober or not, it's his assault against someone who was unable to defend herself.

[UNT96]

Good points by all. The initial reports seemed sketchy at best; but the DA that is prosecuting sounded very convinced on the news tonight. One thing that I have read does discredit her somewhat; there have been reports that this was not a one night stand but rather a few different flings. I wonder if she tried to get any money out of him. That will tell a lot more of the story but probably won't come out until mid-season.. about the time that the Mavs beat the Lakers for the third time with a big asterisk by the score.