"Bryant and O'Neal Don't Know Own Strength"

The more I hear about Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, the more I think of John Carlos and Tommie Smith.

Black Power 1968

In 1968, Smith and Carlos were two of the world's best sprinters. At the Mexico City Olympics, Smith set a world record in the 200 meters, Peter Norman of New Zealand won the silver medal and Carlos won the bronze. But the upset took place on the victory stand when Carlos put a black glove on his left fist and Smith put one on his right. They pulled off their shoes and stood on the stand in black socks. As the national anthem was played and the American flag was raised, the two thrust their fists skyward and bowed their heads.

The black socks symbolized the economic and social disenfranchisement of so many blacks in the United States, Smith once said. And the gloves symbolized the unity, mounting anger, frustration and fury of so many African-Americans, impoverished, brutalized and marginalized in the world's greatest democracy.

Thirty-six years later, two highly acclaimed teammates - Shaq and Kobe - have been pushed apart by ego-tripping, bruised feelings and manipulation by a Los Angeles Lakers organization that, for some reason, feels that it will benefit by pushing these two giants apart.

Full Article : nytimes.com