NBA Bryant is advised to drop his idea of leaving Lakers for a new team

Kobe Bryant's life in the NBA would be tougher without Shaquille O'Neal as a teammate.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
Kobe Bryant is tempted to strike out on his own to prove he doesn't need a helping hand from Shaquille O'Neal to win.
We understand. So does former Los Angeles Lakers star Earvin "Magic" Johnson. All he asks is that Bryant talk to Philadelphia's Allen Iverson and Orlando's Tracy McGrady before he does anything rash at the end of this season.
Bryant hasn't gotten around to calling those players. He must be in a bad cell zone.
We saved him the trouble.
"I would tell him without Shaquille O'Neal, life can't get any better," Iverson said. "I mean, everybody in the league wants to play with Shaquille O'Neal. He makes everything out there easier.
"I would just let him know it will be tough not having that other superstar, not having that other guy who on some nights you can relax and sit out for the last quarter or quarter and a half because it's a blowout and this guy is taking over the game.
Eyes a challenge
"I mean, it's going to be tough, but that's the type of guy he is. He wants a challenge."
You want a challenge? Try winning in Orlando with a supporting cast that wouldn't make it past Week 2 on NBA Survivor.
"It's tough, man," said McGrady, who leads the league in scoring but is last in victories. "I can't get out of the first round of the playoffs.
"It doesn't matter how great you are, if you don't have the talent you need around you, it's going to be real difficult and gets frustrating at times. It's hard. Really hard."
Bryant likes to keep to himself. That's no problem in Los Angeles with O'Neal in charge of entertainment and Gary Payton and Karl Malone around.
Teams with one star don't have that luxury. That player sets the tone. He can't afford to be aloof or distant, especially when the team is struggling.
"You are the leader for the team, and everyone feeds off you," McGrady said. "You have to set an example. No matter how tough things are, you've got to smile and keep a level head, keep your head above water."