Well, Kobe Bryant has part of what he wants: he's dominating the NBA Conference Championships.

Never mind that he's not actually in the playoffs, his Los Angeles Lakers having been erased in the first round by Phoenix.

But with a flip flop of Olympic gold medal gymnastic proportions this week — first he'd rather "go play on Pluto" than play another season in L.A.; then he'll stay after all — Bryant's antics have dominated NBA talk, overshadowing even the teams that are still in the running for the NBA title.

You wonder if Bryant was less selfish and manipulative would the Lakers still be competing for a title, too? Something other than the one for most dysfunctional franchise, that is.

You harken to the turmoil of 2004 when Bryant's ongoing feud with Shaquille O'Neal made it easy for Lakers' owner Jerry Buss to bust up a three-time championship lineup, trading O'Neal to build the franchise and future around Bryant.

Whether you believe that Buss made the decision to part with O'Neal on his own financial grounds, as Bryant maintains, or had a nudge from his impetuous star, as some say and many believe, Bryant could have spoken up.

He could have been a real team leader and mended fences, especially after the team had stood by him on sexual assault charges. He could have asked Buss to keep O'Neal. Instead, he did neither, all too willing to take the $136 million contract before the ink was dry on O'Neal's walking papers and be the centerpiece of the Lakers.

Three years later and two first-round exits from the playoffs to show for it, Bryant is frustrated. He's upset the Lakers haven't gotten him a better supporting cast. He's mad they haven't been back to the finals and show little hope of getting there anytime soon.

And he is used to getting what he wants. Always has been and that's part of the problem. What he wants now isn't a trade from L.A. as much as his own man running the operation. He wants Jerry West instead of Mitch Kupchak sitting in the general manager's chair. He wants ownership to listen to him because he's the superstar. He wants it understood the onus isn't on him.

Make no mistake about it, the Lakers' front office has its problems. And, yes, Bryant is a hard-working player who wants to win in the worst way. Unfortunately, that's how he's going about it this week: in the worst way. He is the best talent in the NBA. But his talent is in playing, not running a franchise. He runs the court well. He runs his mouth even better. But run the Lakers?

The last time Bryant stirred up this much dust and this many headlines, he ended up buying his wife a $4 million diamond ring.

Somehow it is hard to imagine Kupchak getting any jewelry from Bryant. Including a championship ring.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.