KOBE TO H.S. HOOP HOPEFULS: “DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME”: The CHICAGO SUN-TIMES passes along these encouraging words from Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who was visiting high school hoopsters hoping for an NBA shot:

Seems like Kobe doesn’t want any more competition.(Emailers: The head is a little misleading, but that’s the whole point of the post - why do you think we screen-grabbed it?)

WHY BUCHER NEVER HAS TO WORRY ABOUT EMPLOYMENT: Michael Sneed of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES has the ironic news today that despite the apparent trade talk breakdown between the Bulls and Lakers, “(Kobe) Bryant may be purchasing basketball legend Michael Jordan’s massive home in Highland Park.

“The real estate rumor mill is grinding out grist that could add more credence to the word the L.A. Lakers superstar may wind up playing in Chicago.”

It’s definitely a move that make sense, since Bryant already has a doorman-in-waiting.