Kobe Bryant is using the Law Of Attraction.

But not to his advantage.

I don’t usually analyze N.B.A. topics but this one caught my attention and I couldn’t resist.

The universal Law of Attraction says that you get what you really, really want. And … you get what you really, really don’t want.

So, Kobe, why not focus on what you want?

Rob Radford of the Boston Herald points out something about Kobe’s attitude and behavior with his teammates during Game 2 of the N.B.A. Finals, that I believe could determine whether the Lakers win or lose.

Radford gets this from the perspective of Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, who was sitting next to the Lakers bench, via Schilling’s blog.

Here’s what Schilling wrote:

Stop pouting, man.

From the first tip until about 4 minutes left in the game I saw and heard this guy bitch at his teammates. Every TO he came to the bench pissed, and a few of them he went to other guys and yelled about something they weren’t doing, or something they did wrong. No dialog about “hey let’s go, let’s get after it” or whatever. He spent the better part of 3.5 quarters pissed off and ranting at the non-execution or lack of, of his team. Then when they made what almost was a historic run in the 4th, during a TO, he got down on the floor and basically said ‘Let’s f’ing go, right now, right here” or something to that affect. I am not making this observation in a good or bad way, I have no idea how the guys in the NBA play or do things like this, but I thought it was a fascinating bit of insight for me to watch someone in another sport who is in the position of a team leader and how he interacted with his team and teammates. Watching the other 11 guys, every time out it was high fives and “Hey nice work, let’s get after it” or something to that affect. He walked off the floor, obligatory skin contact on the high five, and sat on the bench stone faced or pissed off, the whole game. Just weird to see another sport and how it all works. I would assume that’s his style and how he plays and what works for him because when I saw the leader board for scoring in the post season his name sat up top at 31+ a game, can’t argue with that. But as a fan I was watching the whole thing, Kobe, his teammates and then the after effects of conversations. He’d yell at someone, make a point, or send a message, turn and walk away, and more than once the person on the other end would roll eyes or give a ‘whatever dude’ look.

Kobe, what you focus on expands.

Here’s how it works. When you look for things that ain’t workin’, you find more things that ain’t workin’. Not only that, but whatever energy you bring, you attract and create more of that same energy. So when you’re always “pissed” then it creates doubt in everyone around you. So now you’ve got the other guys on the bench saying to themselves, “we’re not doing well” or “Kobe’s in trouble.”

What’s missing from your game, Kobe, is the art of allowing. You have to create the intentions, match that with your emotional desire, and then step back and allow the universe — your teammates — to take over.

Getting back down to court level … there’s a difference between your coach scolding and encouraging you during a game, and getting knocked by a leading teammate. There are many different coaching styles. But the most successful coaches, in general, save that knocking for the locker room or practice. Why? Because it’s demoralizing, man.

The most successful on-court leaders, in general, follow the same approach. This is one of the biggest differences between Kobe and MJ. MJ, who was famous for his nearly unreachable high standards of execution, definitely scolded his teammates. But he had a way of doing it that always ended on a positive, encouraging, high note. MJ got the most out of his teammates. He got them to do stuff they didn’t think was possible.

Kobe, your teammates want to play with you, not for you. Being a team leader means you enroll your team so they buy into your vision for the team, not your vision and desire for your rings. Stop pouting, man.

At this level of the N.B.A., in the Finals, this seemingly subtle point is a deal breaker. As you’re finding out. (Some reports of similar behavior surfaced after Game 1.)

Apparently the Celtics were busy looking for what was working, and celebrating that. So, they found more of what was working. Positive reinforcement. And, right now, the Celtics seem to have the big advantage on “team desire.” They have a clear team vision.

The Lakers don’t.

Let’s see if Kobe’s approach with his teammates changes back home in Los Angeles tonight.

(Photo courtesy of The Boston Herald.)