Well, it didn’t take long to see the effects of the Derrick Rose trial did it? Thanks to dealing with legal woes that spread throughout the preseason, Rose suited up in a Knick uniform for only the second time and New York got run 117-88 on opening night.

Rose finished with 17 points on 7-17 shooting, but he was awful running the point for the Knicks. He had one assist and turned the ball over four times. Furthermore he looked very unsure of himself which grinded the New York offense to a halt.

Watching this debacle led to me the thinking of another player years ago facing the same chemistry issues that helped derail a possible dynasty…

Kobe Bryant.

I wondered how Derrick Rose held up during this whole ordeal compared to Bryant while this whole situation played itself out.

Way back in 2003, Kobe Bryant was investigated of sexual assault complaint of a 19-year-old hotel employee. Bryant admitted to having sex with the employee but denied the assault allegation in a press conference.

On September 1, 2004, the Eagle County dismissed the charges against Bryant because his accuser was willing to testify.

Now understand that Kobe Bryant played through the 2003-2004 season, never missing a game or league imposed suspension for anything related to the sexual assault charges. The Lakers lost 4-1 in the NBA Finals to the Detroit Pistons.

But shockingly Derrick Rose handled himself (save the embarrassing details that included sex toys, texts, weed, and ecstasy) better than the seemingly more polished Kobe Bryant.

How you ask? Would you believe that Kobe Bryant actually lied to police in an audio taped conversation?

In a document, Bryant ACTUALLY lied saying that he never had sex with the alleged victim.

Bryant was asked if he kissed the victim, Bryant said no.

Bryant was asked if he hugged the victim, Bryant said no.

Bryant was asked if he had sex with the victim, well you know where we’re going with this.

Here’s what Bryant claimed initially…

The woman came into his hotel room so she could show him “where the bears come up to the window. I’m like bears f—-ing walk up to this…”

After getting caught in the lie, Bryant finally acknowledged that he had sex  with the woman and it was totally consensual.

As history teaches us Bryant settled a civil lawsuit with his accuser for an undisclosed (also read a lot) of money and released an apology through his attorneys…

“First I want to apologize directly to the young woman involved in this incident. I want to apologize to her for my behavior that night and for the consequences she has suffered in the past year. Although this year has been incredibly difficult for me personally, I can only imagine the pain she has had to endure. I also want to apologize to her parents and family members, and to my family and friends and supporters, and to the citizens of Eagle, Colorado.

I also want to make it clear that I do not question the motives of this young woman. No money was paid to this woman. She has agreed that this statement will not be used against me in a civil case. Although I truly believe that this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view the incident the same way that I did. After months of reviewing discovery, listening to her attorney and even her testimony in person, I now understand how she feels that she did not consent to this encounter.

I issue this statement today fully aware that while one part of this case ends today, another remains. I understand that the civil case against me will go forward. That part of the case will be decided by and between the parties directly involved in the incident and will no longer be a financial or emotional drain on the citizens of the state of Colorado.”

Sounds like a HUUUUUGGGEEEE sigh of relief for a guy who was looking at if convicted, a long sentence that could have been for life. Especially after lying to police initially and describing the events in a way so graphic that I’m actually trying save my reputation by keeping it out of this article. It’s that bad.

Even Donald Trump could shake his head and ask…Really?

Now lets take a read from Derrick Rose’s statement after the trial courtesy of the Associated Press…

“I am thankful that the jury understood and agreed with me. This experience and my sensitivity to it was deep. I am ready to put this behind me and focus on my family and career.”

Big difference in tone don’t you think? Unlike Bryant who lost endorsements during his ordeal (he eventually gained some back), Rose has not lost any endorsements as of this writing. Plus he did not have to pay off his accuser and was at least in the court of law vindicated. The law of public opinion as we all know is a different situation altogether, fair or not.

Now it’s all about what happens on the court for Derrick Rose. Bryant went on to win two more titles with the Lakers and retire as an icon. Right now Derrick Rose is 0-1 and angry over an embarrassing loss to the defending World Champion Cleveland Cavaliers on national television.