Letters

End of an Era

Jack McCallum is correct when he portrays Kobe Bryant as being the main catalyst in the Lakers’ recent dismantling (The End, July 26). Kobe’s selfishness cannot be tolerated within Phil Jackson’s triangle offense. Michael Jordan was able to make the transformation from the best player on a bad team to the best player on the best team because the Zen Master successfully reshaped MJ’s psyche. Kobe’s youthful narcissism would not allow Jackson to enter his mind.

David L. Wyant Jr., Sarasota, Fla.

Please check your calendar. If you were going to put an athlete in a yellow jersey on the cover, it should have been the leader of the Tour de France.

Michael Goldsmith, Las Vegas

What does it say that on your cover Shaq is soaking wet and Kobe doesn’t have a drop of sweat on him?

Wes McCarley Temple, Texas

Jerry West figured out where Jerry Buss was headed and decided to get out of town.

Guy T. Saperstein Piedmont, Calif.

The Lakers should have remembered the mistake the Boston Red Sox made in 1920: allowing the most dominant player in the game to get away. Let the Curse of the Diesel begin.

Nolan H. Tanous, East Millinocket, Maine

Hot Toddy

Wouldn’t it have made more sense to give your cover to Todd Hamilton, who acknowledged his fellow competitors before himself after his improbable win at the British Open (A Horse for the Gorse, July 26)? Instead you gave more national coverage to two of the biggest über-egos in professional sports.

Andrew J. Otte, San Francisco

The Potty’s Over

I was saddened to see that SI is following the ever-increasing decline of today’s standards of decency by publishing the “peeloton” photo (Scorecard, July 26) of Tour de France racers urinating. Let’s face it, some things are still better left private and unseen.

Tracey Nelson, Opp, Ala.

Handle with Care

I wouldn’t wear Maria Sharapova’s likeness on a T-shirt because people would think I’m a dirty old man, but how could anyone not be totally awed by this lovely young Russian girl (A Star Is Born, July 26)? She is precisely the kind of classy hero that young people need to look up to today. I hope the people in Maria’s inner circle recognize what a truly special person she is and do everything possible to protect her. It distressed me greatly to read that her handlers were recklessly endangering her life by speeding down a Connecticut highway at 85 mph just to avoid the paparazzi. We all know the tragic story of Princess Diana, another classy lady who lost her life fleeing the press. Let’s keep this princess safe so she can conquer even more worlds.

Michael Wilson, St. Louis

You’ll Never Walk Alone

Having dealt with depression and bipolar disorders for most of my life, I was touched by the Al Heppner story (Walking His Life Away, July 26). It is always good to hear that I am not alone with my feelings, and that others are not alone in theirs. Thank you, Al, for gracing this planet as long as you did and for putting race walking on the map.

Jason Hertenstein, Champaign, Ill.

Thanks for wasting seven pages on a “sport” as worthless as walking. After I figured out what the article was about, I immediately speed-walked to the trash can and threw it out.

John Oelschlager, Roanoke, Va.

I commend Gary Smith for writing and SI for publishing the very sad, yet realistic tale of Heppner’s attempt to earn a spot on the Olympic team. I hope the story enlightened readers about the physical and mental sacrifices so many athletes must make in their quest to compete at the world-class level. God bless all of our athletes ... most important, those who did not make the team but will undoubtedly pick themselves back up and try again.

Patrick Nolan, Orange Park, Fla.

Albert Heppner did not just lose a race. He lost a battle with depression.

Charmaine Gabel, Orlando

Just Be Cos

I read with interest your note on Bill Cosby’s visit to the Basketball Hall of Fame to open an exhibition featuring his Harlem Globetrotters locker (SCORECARD, July 26). Cosby also went to Springfield to honor a dozen teenage students who persevered in get- ting their educations despite difficult circumstances. He had seen a recent story about two of them in the local newspaper, The Republican. The two high school se-niors were living on their own, working, going to school and playing sports. Cosby arranged a whirlwind college tour for these young men, flying them on his private jet. When they selected Hampton University, Cosby promised them that he would pay for their educations and is buying them each a laptop computer.

Mark Olson, Chicopee, Mass.

To Contact SI

LETTERS

• Please e-mail us at letters@si.timeinc.com or fax us at 212-467-4049. Letters should include the writer‚Äôs full name, address and home telephone number and may be edited for clarity and space.

CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

• For 24/7 service, please use our website, www.si.com/customerservice. You can also call 1-800-528-5000 or write to SI at P.O. Box 30602, Tampa, FL. 33630-0602.

ADVERTISING

• For ad rates, an editorial calendar or a media kit, e-mail us at sipubqueries@timeinc.com.

COLOR PHOTO

LUCY NICHOLSON/REUTERS (COVER)

B/W PHOTO

FROM THE LENS OF GEORGE KALINSKY

CLOWN PRINCES

Cosby (left) and Meadowlark Lemon in 1973.