If you go on any Laker board they'll tell you first hand, ESPN is an East Coast based news source and many if not most of their NBA analysts grew up EC fans. Most of them grew up despising the Lakers, that's like if you Clipper Nation, became a writer and analyst for ESPN, you will take as many shots as possible at the Lakers. In fact, most ESPN writers remind me of you, just in love with Lebron and hate "Kirby" which is why so many of us Laker fans refer to them as BSPN.
Through 2008-2010, Broussard, Jackie MacLesbian, and Tank got would write atleast 1 article a week each on how Kobe is overrated and Lebron is already a better player despite not having any rings. It was like a religion for ESPN to bash Kobe and the Lakers. ESPN has some sort of dedication to Lebron, they have been pumping that got since 2008 like he's the next MJ when hes just Magic Johnson on HGH and Roids.
Anyway, I think Kobe is a and he definitely has been a chucker throughout his career but the guy is a legend and has won 5 rings. That doesn't happen on accident, hate him or love him you have to give the guy credit for winning that many rings in this era with or without Shaq. You have to remember Kobe in his prime was compared to Iverson, Carter, and McGrady. It's amazing to still talk about the guy in 2011-13 and ask whose greater Lebron or Kobe.