I’m a big NBA fan. Most people love the purity of college basketball, and I certainly do. But I’m more attracted to the NBA, where the best players in the world compete. The NBA has many flaws, and too many players are seriously flawed. But I still like it.

I finished reading “The Last Season,” Phil Jackson’s book about his final season with the LA Lakers. My goodness, he was hard on Kobe Bryant! But I’m sure he was fully justified. He describes Kobe as highly selfish, temperamental, aloof, and always trying to, basically, prove his manhood. Though he’s immensely talented, a team’s best player also needs to be the team leader, and I don’t think Kobe can rise to that responsibility. I imagine the goals at the top of his agenda right now are: to be the league MVP, and to be the league scoring champion. He’s too self-centered to think otherwise.

Shaq has a good situation in Miami. Duane Wade is also immensely talented, with many of the capabilities Kobe has. But he’s okay with being the “little brother,” the “sidekick.”

Jackson’s book was truly fascinating, with great insights into the game and into many players from around the league.

For too many years, I’ve been rooting for Sacramento, but they keep disappointing me. Maybe this is their year. If not, they need to remake the team, I’m afraid.