I had the very real  honor in high school to play for an amazing hoops coach, Keith Gober.  He helped lead his University of Alabama team when in college to glory.  But more impressive, for 25 years, and over a record of 525 wins against 161 losses - he's taken largely undersized, lesser talent teams and taught them how to work harder than they think they can.

As I sit watching the Lakers embarrass themselves into the history books, and being a life-long Lakers fan, I couldn't help but ponder what Coach (one of the men in my life I've most admired) would say to Kobe and company. Given that I followed in Coach's steps and coached college ball for seven years - I think I have a pretty good idea.

If Kobe ever intends to be taken seriously again, if ever wishes to be uttered in the same sentences with Michael and Magic - here's where he will have to start...

1. Get some pride.
Kobe you and the boys got OWNED every single night of this year's finals, even in the games you ended up winning you seemed unfazed when you would lose leads. The truly all time greats, the Michaels, the Magics, the Larrys, recognized the moment for what it was - dug in, and fought harder. Your inability to distinguish between your leads and your lags was stunning...

2. Feel the pain.
Listen son, did you hear the crowd at the Garden singing, "hey, hey, hey - Good-bye!" Does it sting? If it doesn't - hang 'em up because you have no business  still playing. If it does get the audio, put it on your iPhone, listen to it everyday for the next year. Let it so motivate you to never feel this way again - that you truly do become willing to do anything you must to improve yourself, your leadership abilities (which were noticeably absent in your losses), and your determination to take the responsibility for your pitiful end to this season -  that you pledge yourself to not return to this spot.

3. Stop shooting the stupid jumper.
Look Michael Jordan didn't start "settling" for the jump shot till he was like 104 years old. You're still a very young man. And as Coach always pounded into our heads - far many more good things happen for you when you break down your defender and go to the rim. Pulling up from way outside allows the other team to set up for the rebound - and when your not in a rhythm it becomes a one-shot possession each trip down. Dribble penetration on the other hand causes defenses to rotate to prevent you from getting to the rim - opening up a teammate to hopefully  penetrate themselves and either get a wide open quality shot or finding someone else via defensive rotation. And if the defense doesn't rotate - you get to go to the foul line.

4. Play better defense... much better - like you really do want to win.
You're offense will always be highly overrated. Do you remember World B. Free? Maybe not - great scorer, sucky defender. But Jordan, Johnson, and Bird - did it at both ends - especially in transition.

5. Feel the sting.
Do you feel it yet? All Laker fans everywhere do - DO YOU?

6. Keep a low profile.
At least for this off-season, stay away from cameras, scandals, other women, and anything else that mentally will keep you from recovering your manhood next season.

7. Find some Faith.
Ask the Creator why he allows you to suffer such humiliation. Then be ready for the answer - AND LEARN! Some of our greatest embarrassments can be used to teach us things we would not learn otherwise. Be a man - admit you did not prepare, and were not ready to do what was necessary, and commit yourself to a different path next year. Humility is a gift that can enhance our lives in ways we would not expect, nor usually want, but after going through them - would not wish it any other way.

8. Do the small things.
Leadership is best taught by example. Doc Rivers and the Celtics just put on a clinic and gave you a front row seat... did you pay attention? You had the more "talented" team. But they outworked your behinds on nearly every possession down the floor...

At the end of the day - you know that you could have done better, you know that Laker fans know it to. They will forgive you - if you pledge to never embarrass us this way every again.

131-92 - feel the sting?