The Entourage: More Than Just Homeys on the Payroll

Most of the discussion about the Kobe Bryant saga has focused the alleged victim's shaky character and Kobe's dubious future as a corporate pitchman. But SI's Mike Silver examines the story from an fresh perspective, asking the question: Who was protecting Kobe on that fateful night? Silver interviewed Dennis Rodman's former bodyguard, who puts the blame squarely on the shoulders of Kobe's security team, or lack thereof. Although we fans tend to dismiss entourage members as being diamond-encrusted leeches, a personal security team can be vital to a superstar in the spotlight. According to the article, they put out fires on a regular basis, particularly when they involve sex with unfamiliar women. We're used to seeing athletes get caught while engaging in criminal, sordid or embarrassing behavior, but think about how much more we'd see if it weren't for the 300 pound safety nets shielding them wherever they went.