[EricaLubarsky]

The point is Kobe hasn't even been able to step out on the court and show us anything. It may not be conclusive to absolutely determine whether he's totally slipped out of elite status or not. But there is still lots of room for legitimate debate. Just because he's to F'ed up to play, be it mentally, physically, or a combination of the both doesn't mean there is no room to debate his ability. Considering how a layoff can affect even the greatest players. And all Kobe needs to really drop to is the level of Fin, not to a Raja Bell, for it to be ablicable that the Lakers might be better without him than with him.

I award LRB 6 points.