Kobe Bryant

Earlier this week, Jason Collins came out as gay, making him the first openly homosexual active player in a major American sport.

And the outpour of support just keeps on coming!

Kobe Bryant is the Collins' latest peer to stand behind the Wizards Center.

When the story first broke, Bryant tweeted "Proud of @jasoncollins34. Don't suffocate who u r because of the ignorance of others."

Now, he's told E! that "The biggest key is for everybody to be comfortable being themselves."

The Laker added "As his peers we have to support him, just rally around him."

Millions of fans tuned in to the Los Angeles Lakers' 91-79 defeat yesterday in the opening game of their Western Conference Playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs.

But one fan in particular stood out for his Tweeted opinions on the team's offense flow... or lackthereof.

Kobe Bryant, out for the year with a torn Achilles, sent multiple cyber messages throughout the contest, making it clear he believed Pau Gasol should "post, post, post," while also lamenting the team's "matador defense" against Tony Parker.

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For weeks, Kobe Bryant has been carrying the Los Angeles Lakers and their playoff chances on his back.

But it was a different body part that felled the NBA superstar last night, as Bryant tore his Achilles tendon, ending his season and possibly beyond.

Even the biggest Laker hater has to be shaking his or her head at the news. Who wants to see one of sports' living legends go out in such a way?

Kobe Bryant Injury

But is Kobe done for good? The injury - and perhaps some pain medication - prompted Bryant to go on an EPIC Facebook rant this morning at 3:30.

It includes words of doubt, inspiration... and a warning to any bear looking for a fight. And it's worth just reading in its entirety below:

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L.A. Lakers star Kobe Bryant suffered a torn Achilles tendon late in the team's win over Golden State last night and is finished for the rest of the NBA season.

Standing on crutches in front of his locker, sweaty game uniform on his back and tears in his eyes, Kobe confirmed the news, and his disappointment.

"Just terrible," Bryant said. "It's a terrible feeling, man."

Kobe Bryant Injury

Bryant will undergo an MRI on Saturday, but the team is calling the injury a "probable" and "complete tear" that will end his 2012-13 season immediately.

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Kobe Bryant did not attend college.

But if he did? And if he had been at Rutgers University during the violent reign of Mike Rice? The Los Angeles Lakers superstar knows exactly how he would have reacted.

"I woulda smacked the hell out of him," Kobe tells Jim Rome in an interview that airs on Showtime tonight. "No question about it."

Mike Rice Flips Out as Rutgers Players

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Kobe Bryant has given an assist to Magic Johnson.

The Lakers shooting guard was asked yesterday about Magic Johnson's son, EJ, who went public this week with his same-sex relationship and who received statements of support from his famous father.

"Of course Magic is supportive of and loves his son," Kobe told TMZ in response. "Why should anyone be surprised? What I can't tolerate is a lack of tolerance."

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Kobe Bryant has come a long way.

In 2011, the legendary shooting guard was fined by the NBA for referring to a referee as a "f-cking f-ggot" after a perceived bad call.

Fast forward two years and the Lakers are awful. We mean, Kobe has clearly learned from his mistake.

In response to a beef between two Twitter users yesterday, Bryan interjected and wrote:

"Just letting you know@PacSmoove @pookeo9 that using "your gay" as a way to put someone down ain't ok! #notcool delete that out ur vocab."

Written that way, it's also grammatically incorrect.

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Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant and wife Vanessa Bryant are officially back together, happy, reconciled and dismissing their divorce papers.

They confirmed the un-split on Instagram!

Friday, Vanessa's page read: "We are pleased to announce that we have reconciled. Our divorce action will be dismissed. We are looking forward to our future."

Kobe Bryant posted a message on Facebook:

"When the show ends and the music stops, the journey is made beautiful by having that someone to share it with. Thank you all for your support and prayers."

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Vanessa Bryant may not be a gold-digging, domineering basketball wife ... but she gave a quote earlier this week that certainly came off that way.

Regarding husband Kobe Bryant, she told New York Magazine, "I certainly would not want to be married to somebody that can't win championships."

"If you're sacrificing time away from my family and myself for the benefit of winning championships, then winning a championship should happen every single year."

Yeah. Probably not the best word choice. Vanessa is now setting the record straight, clarifying to TMZ that she loves and supports Kobe, no matter what.

"I'm sad to hear that some of the comments in my New York Magazine interview are being misconstrued and taken out of context," says Vanessa Bryant.

"I have been with Kobe for 13 years. I accepted his marriage proposal PRIOR to him winning any of his 5 championships with his teammates."

"I have and will continue to support my husband’s dreams. For anyone to think otherwise is wrong. It is not about being married to a ‘winner.'"

"It is about our sacrifice as a family."

Kobe and Vanessa got engaged in 2000, the year he won his first NBA title, so you can't argue with her there, and she took him back after he allegedly cheated more than once. Basically you gotta cut the female Bryant some slack ... right?

Vanessa Bryant: Digging for gold?

Kobe and Vanessa Bryant have reconciled, but she's made one thing clear: She does not want to be married to someone who doesn't win titles, plural.

Vanessa filed for divorce last winter after claiming that the couple's differences were irreconcilable, and amid rumors that Kobe was cheating on her.

The two eventually rekindled their union and appear to be on good terms now ... though it appears as if that means it's going to be on her terms.

Basically, the marriage don't mean a thing without a ring. An NBA championship ring, that is. Vanessa Bryant said, according to New York Magazine:

"I certainly would not want to be married to somebody that can't win championships. If you're sacrificing time away from my family and myself for the benefit of winning championships, then winning a championship should happen every single year."

The Vanessa Bryant haters are likely to offer two comebacks:

1. GOLD DIGGER!
2. A strong work ethic, which Kobe is renowned for, will make him a terrific player, but it won't always win titles, especially not in the NBA.

Vanessa, of course, is raising two daughters full-time, and has been with Kobe since high school, long before there was any gold to be dug.

One wonders about her word choice, though. No one's making excuses for Kobe's past indiscretions, but winning titles is somewhat out of any one player's hands.

Kobe probably pushed very hard for the Dwight Howard trade. Knowing you're gonna sleep on the couch if shirtless clubbing photos get leaked is one thing. If L.A. being the #7 seed also lands you in the doghouse? That's motivation!

Vanessa Bryant: Gold digger?