Kobe Has a Beef

You know, it's great for the NBA when the most interesting news in the sport involves (1) fans brawling with players, and (2) players claiming that other players are scamming on their wives. Go for it, Kobe...

Another Kobe conflict for the Lakers.

Bryant has accused Karl Malone of making a pass at his wife at a game last month.

Talking before Los Angeles' 105-98 win over Orlando on Sunday night, Bryant said he felt betrayed by a man he considered a friend.

``He was like a mentor, like a brother to me, so when something like that happens, you're upset, you're hurt,'' Bryant said.

He said he called Malone and told him, ``Stay away from my wife. What's wrong with you? How could you?''

Malone was not available for comment Sunday, but agent Dwight Manley said Malone told him he had never made a pass at Bryant's wife, that he was surprised by the accusation, and that he then apologized to both Bryant and his wife for any remarks she might have considered inappropriate.

``Karl's response to Kobe's comments today is that he's a basketball player and not a soap opera actor and he doesn't intend to be involved in a personal soap opera,'' Manley said of his client.

Bryant said he had phoned Malone, who has a home near Bryant's in Newport Beach, after Bryant's wife, Vanessa, told him on Nov. 23 that Malone had made inappropriate comments to her that night at Staples Center.

``The comments that he said, I don't know any man in this room that wouldn't be upset about that,'' Bryant said in the Lakers' locker room. ``The past month, myself, my wife, (Malone's wife) Kaye, we've had fun together.

``We've been out to their house, just joking around, giving each other a hard time, just clowning, being sarcastic with one another, baby-sitting kids and all that.''

Asked if there might have been a misunderstanding, Bryant said, ``What he said is what he said. I believe in my heart that it wasn't a misunderstanding.

``My wife wasn't going to stand for it. She felt uncomfortable being around him to the point that she felt she had to call his wife and tell her.''

Bryant said Malone didn't deny making the comments, and told him during their phone conversation, ``Aw, you know, I'm sorry if I said anything that was out of line.''

Kobe lecturing anyone else on the planet about marital fidelity and feeling betrayed is rich, to say the least. And it always makes sense to publicize a private misuderstanding with a friend, doesn't it? Maybe David Stern needs to develop an etiquette course for his players.