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Kobe Bryant has been the good soldier for the Los Angeles Lakers through their pitiful start. That makes sense, since getting upset at the team that strung up $24 million per year in cap space for you would be the very definition of biting the hand that feeds. But this is Kobe, and if he can understand and deal with failure, he won't tolerate a lack of effort. Apparently Thursday's practice didn't go great, since he kind of flipped out. 

It gets better. Via the LA Times, Bryant called his teammates "Charmin Soft." Apparently his rage was aimed at the bench unit for not hanging with the starters. Now, there's been some talk that Bryant was joking or just talking trash, which seems pretty plausible given the fact that he was also running his mouth at Jeremy Lin. But then, Nick Young also reportedly was telling teammates to go stand up to him, which in my opinion is Nick Young paving the way for them to be traded so he can shoot more. But it still indicates that it wasn't just friendly chatter. 

I've been wondering about how Bryant's actually taking all this. He's said nothing but good things in interviews, talking about how he "loves the process," and that this is what fuels him, that he doesn't mind the rebuild. 

But, this team is awful, though it has played better over the past five games or so. Bryant wants them to have an edge, it's the only way they can make progress or at least hold ground. But there's only so long you can grind a blade that thin against metal. 

And yet, no matter what happens, it's clear the situation is better than that of what's happening in New York. 

UPDATE: Charmin would like to clarify its beliefs on this matter. 

Kobe Bryant gave his teammates some looks Thursday. (USATSI)
Kobe Bryant gave his teammates some looks Thursday. (USATSI)