Kobe

[KillarneyRose]

Since I've done my share of "spin" during my career, I usually know not to buy into celebrities' and athletes' PR. But in the case of Kobe Bryant, I really believed that he was one of the good guys - good husband, good son, good father. Wholesome. Probably the NBA's classiest act with the retirement of David Robinson.

I'm sure this episode will ruin his image with sponsors, but, more importantly, I feel so terrible for his wife. The criminal charges would be hard enough to handle but, as Bryant himself stated, "(he) made the mistake of adultery". What a nightmare she must be living; and she's so young, too.

Here's the story if you haven't seen it yet:

AP - EAGLE, Colo. (July 18) - Kobe Bryant was charged Friday with sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman in a case bound to tarnish the career of one of the NBA's biggest superstars.

The 24-year-old Bryant faces four years to life in prison if convicted on the single felony count, Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert told reporters during a news conference. He said Bryant used ''physical force'' and caused ''sexual penetration or intrusion.''

The Los Angeles Lakers star immediately proclaimed his innocence, but acknowledged that he ''made the mistake of adultery'' with the woman, who worked the front desk at the resort where Bryant was staying while in Colorado for knee surgery.

''Nothing that happened June 30th was against the will of the woman who now falsely accuses me,'' Bryant said in a statement.

His wife, Vanessa, also released a statement, saying she stood by her husband. ''He is not a criminal,'' she said.

Hurlbert refused to talk about the details of the case. He said he reviewed all evidence during the last two weeks and consulted prosecutors around the state before making his decision.

''I have an ethical burden not to prosecute a case unless I can prove it beyond a reasonable doubt,'' he said. ''I feel that after reviewing the evidence after looking at the evidence that I can prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt.''

Bryant, free on $25,000 bail, must return to court in Eagle on Aug. 6 for a hearing.

The case has riveted the sports world for nearly two weeks because it involves one of the NBA's brightest and most magnetic young stars. The recently married father of a baby girl has also used his wholesome image to land multimillion-dollar endorsement deals.

Documents in the case, including the arrest warrant, have been sealed.

Authorities have said Bryant assaulted the woman June 30 at the gated Lodge & Spa at Cordillera in nearby Edwards. He was in Colorado for knee surgery at a Vail clinic, and was booked at the lodge from June 30 to July 2.

Eagle County sheriff's deputies took Bryant to Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs for tests early July 2, later letting him leave in a taxi with his bodyguards.

The woman also underwent tests, and Hurlbert has said he needed information from the state crime lab before making his decision.

Bryant surrendered to authorities July 4 and was released an hour later after posting $25,000 bond. The sheriff refused to release Bryant's booking photo for days.

The arrest was announced July 6, prompting a firestorm of media attention on this small mountain town 100 miles west of Denver. Reporters swamped the cul-de-sac where the woman lives with her parents, but she has said nothing publicly. Her family has consulted an attorney.

The woman is well-known in Eagle as a former high school cheerleader and talented musician who auditioned for ''American Idol'' last year.

The news stunned basketball fans: Bryant, a five-time All-Star who has already won three titles with the Lakers, is by most accounts a quiet man who prefers dinner with a few friends to joining teammates for a night on the town.

Sports marketing experts say the case will be a permanent blow to Bryant's image, and could cost him millions in lost endorsements.

Bryant entered the NBA in 1996 at age 18, straight out of high school. He has drawn comparisons to the league's all-time greatest players as he has helped Los Angeles win consecutive titles from 2000-02.

Along with his determination, Bryant has also shown class, something many fans feel are missing from other NBA stars. He wept when the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs by San Antonio in May, and he wore his hospital ID bracelet in a game the day after his daughter was born.

He married Vanessa Laine in April 2001. The two met on the set of a music video where Laine was working and got engaged while she was still in high school. Vanessa gave birth to their first child, Natalia Diamante Bryant, in January.