SpringfieldNewsSun.com

The Cincinnati Bengals are waiting, very patiently, for one of their best players to make a career transformation.

They want Chad to pull off a Kobe.

Like numerous great athletes such as Tiger (Woods), Michael (Jordan) and Magic (Johnson), Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson have reached a level of fame where they're easily identifiable by first names only.

Kobe, who spent last offseason causing off-the-court drama with trade requests and public bickering with management, turned all those negatives into positives. He stayed in L.A., became the NBA's Most Valuable Player and is trying to lead the Lakers to their 15th NBA championship.

From bleak to bliss, the Lakers' season has been nothing short of amazing. Kobe could've torn the team apart. Instead, he became the glue that held it together. He got the help he was longing for when the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol, and Kobe became what one L.A. journalist called "an approachable leader playing the best basketball of his career."

Now it's Chad's turn. He's already demanded a trade, bickered with management and blasted teammates. All that's left for him to do now is own up to his mistakes, honor his contract, grab his teammates by the lapels and lead the Bengals to only their second playoff berth in 18 years.

Knowing Chad's history, how he slipped through every crack in life to become an NFL star, he just might be able to pull this off.

First thing's first, however. He must go from malcontent to man.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Vote for this story!