Am I the only one who can’t decide whether to love Kobe Bryant or to hate Kobe Bryant?

I’ve struggled with the issue a lot over the six years Bryant has been in the NBA.

Part of me admires the man for trying to be a good husband, dealing with high-pressure Californian society, handling life inside a fishbowl as a 24-year-old and attempting to lead a team to victory without Superman at the same time.

If anything could make me turn down millions, that might be it.

The other part of me says he has brought hard times upon himself because he has five times the arrogance and selfishness of that kid you didn’t like so much in your own playing days.

When Bryant came into the NBA, fresh off his senior year in high school, I remember the “oohs” and “ahhs” he gave the L.A. crowds.

He’s still got those moves and, in fact, he’s probably elevated his arsenal tenfold. He is averaging almost 30 points per game this season. And he is a perennial all-star selection and is arguably the best player in the game today.

I was a Kobe fan early on. Like most of America, I was dazzled by the quickness, humored by the hairdo and curious about whether this guy, who was still wearing a diaper under his Lakers shorts, was the next Jordan.

As a former Chicago Bulls fan, I needed a new team, and the Lake Show had lots to offer.

Despite leading the league in the number of celebrities in the crowd, I was drawn to the Lakers.

With two of the league’s best players, they dominated.

They were truly something to watch.

On top of that, I needed another Jordan, because no matter how many rebounds some guy can pull in, it’s the speed and agility that the world craves.

Bryant was anointed as “The One” in my book and many others.

But he has turned into that winning lottery ticket that went through the wash this season.

Through the first seven games, all without Shaquille O’Neal, Bryant has already accomplished the feat of 30 missed shots in a game, drawn the ire of head coach Phil Jackson — who said Bryant’s rare passes surprised his teammates — and had a feud with assistant coach Tex Winter, with Winter calling Bryant selfish, uncoachable and out of control.

After getting heat for hoarding the ball, Bryant promptly went out and made a point to distribute the ball to his teammates, who missed shot after shot in a game against Cleveland.

I’m sure Bryant didn’t do it because he had faith in his teammates.

He did it to prove a point.

That he is not selfish.

That he can pass the ball.

That he is the best option — all the time.

Point taken.

But after that 19-point defeat came the infamous 17-for-47 night from Bryant. One game of purposely putting the ball in other players’ hands, almost daring them to make a shot and prove him wrong, and it’s back to the Kobe show — and more losses.

The latest has Lakers guard Devean George saying Bryant needed help guarding Jerry Stackhouse in the team’s last game. Stackhouse scored the game-winner over George, leading the Washington Wizards to victory.

Bryant responded to George’s comments with: “He didn’t say that. I’m not going to say nothing to that. I’ll deal with him in practice.”

What is this?

“The Real World”?

When I was growing up, nobody liked the ball hog or the drama queen. Maybe it’s time for Bryant to do some growing up of his own.

Jeff Raasch

is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Odebolt.