Bryant states case

This city's most beloved sports storefront stands today covered in dripping eggs and nasty graffiti.

Standing outside on the street, eyes wild, mouth running, is star employee Kobe Bryant.

He is shouting into the darkened windows about lying, backstabbing and incompetence. He is screaming at the front door for someone to come outside and prove him wrong.

By now, the rest of Los Angeles is queasily gathered behind him and wondering.

Is anybody still in there?

Does anybody still own the Lakers?

Where is Jerry Buss?

Oh, yeah, that's right, he was in San Diego County, getting arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.

Where is heir apparent Jim Buss?

Oh, yes, he was recently on the radio publicly questioning his head coach.

Where is daughter Jeanie Buss?

Oh, of course, she was on the radio defending the head coach, who also happens to be her boyfriend.

"That place is a mess," Bryant said of the Lakers on Tuesday during a radio interview with AM 570.

Gathered queasily behind him, it's hard to argue.

The family is being attacked by its adopted son, a player they have coddled and protected through one of the biggest sports scandals in this city's history.

Yet, so far, the family, does nothing.

Jerry Buss is essentially accused of lying about the teams' rebuilding effort.

Mitch Kupchak is essentially called worthless.

The entire organization is essentially cast as untrustworthy because of a supposed media leak.

Yet, so far, only darkness and silence.

If the Lakers want to maintain the respect of a community that has blindly given them their hearts, now is the time for them to turn on the lights and let the world know they're still here.

If Jerry Buss is still alive, now is the time for him to prove it.

He's done it before. His team has been under siege before, and he's always been the first one throwing himself in front of the door with some of the grandest gestures in NBA history.

Magic Johnson is mad? Buss fires a coach and begins a dynasty.

A city is bored? Buss approved the expensive acquisition of Shaquille O'Neal and the trading for draft pick Bryant.

A city is frustrated when O'Neal and Bryant can't win a title? Buss fires a coach and begins another dynasty.

OK, so the gestures haven't always been smart. Can we all finally agree that the trading of O'Neal may have cost the franchise at least one more shot at a championship? Have they won a playoff series since?