<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Some of my media brethren constantly complain that athletes today are too focused on individual goals and accomplishments. But when Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant recently put team considerations ahead of an individual feat, he was criticized by some of those same folks. I just don't get it. In case you missed it, Bryant had one of those magical games Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks. He scored 62 points through three quarters, and Elgin Baylor's franchise record of 71 points was within his sights. Lakers coach Phil Jackson asked Bryant if he wanted to stay in the game, but he declined, saying the outcome had been decided -- the Lakers had a 92-61 lead -- and there was no reason for him to continue playing. It seemed like a selfless move. Sure, all the folks in the Staples Center -- and those watching on TV -- wanted him to keep playing to see how high he could go. But Bryant is too valuable to the Lakers' fortunes this season to risk injury by playing meaningless minutes once the outcome had been determined.</div> <div align="center">Source</div>
