Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012 at 9:50 am  |  6 responses

Kobe Bryant Wants to Play in the Italian League Someday


During an interview with Italian media outlet Corriere de Bologna, Kobe Bryant says that he was serious about joining Virtus Bologna had the NBA lockout wiped out the season, and the Lakers’ superstar plans to eventually return to Italy and hoop there. From Ball in Europe: “It was all true,’ Corriere quotes Kobe as stating. ‘It was not a hoax.’ Kobe goes on to say that ‘As I’ve said many times, I would be happy to one day play in the Italian League; it’s a dream I had as a child…’ Corriere goes on to cite inside sources as explaining that [Virtus Bologna president Claudio Sabbatini] & Co. could not compromise with Bryant’s representative Rob Pelinka on the nature of the games Kobe would have played. Sabbatini’s plan was mostly planned as being ‘a kind of occasional collaboration’ because the club was having serious problems with the league’s standard labor contract and therein that old bugaboo, taxes. Concluded Kobe’s thoughts on playing in Europe: ‘I was really looking forward to starting this adventure in Italy, but then things in the NBA settled down and the season started after the lockout, so [my return to] Italy did not materialize. But there is still time in the future.’”

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  • bull22 Posted: Feb.22 at 10:16 am
    may as well do it now kobe, your team is headed no where this june.

  • robb Posted: Feb.22 at 11:01 am
    breaking news: OMG, Kobe wears no. 24!!! Imean, everybody knows Kobe wants to play there someday how is this news?

  • ENDS Posted: Feb.22 at 12:39 pm
    shut the hell up rob. Kobe you might wanna start thinking about it now. clock is ticking…time forgives no one

  • McWill Posted: Feb.22 at 12:42 pm
    At the rate Kobe is going, the only accolade he will be celebrating this year is a scoring title and maybe an ASG MVP…if the Lakers get rid of Gasol and don’t get a PG or Dwight Howard in return there isn’t no ring this year imo…

  • Free Speech Posted: Feb.22 at 3:18 pm
    that’s what you all said in 2009 and 2010. Kobe was not going to win anything those years but HE WON.
    Micheal Jordan was still winning titles at age 33, 34, 35. And at 36, he should have stayed and contended for another.
    Kobe is going to be around for another 6-7 years at elite level. The Lakers have demonstrated that they are committed to surrounding Kobe with players capable to help the team contend and win championships.
    People need to sit back and get entertained as history unfolds. Kobe will win more titles, he will even pass Jordan’s 6 rings but Jordan will still be the greatest ever player as no one else won rings the way Jordan did it by Dominating the opposition.

  • SMIK Posted: Feb.23 at 8:32 am
    ^ “6 or 7 years at a elite level” ??? man, i love Kobe but even i lol’d with that remark. 2 to 3 years MAX, he is playing great now considering his age but he is going to remarkable lengths to get his. he has a 2 year window for a ring where he can lead (not the completely carry the load) but after that he will need to shuffle into a lesser role (thus when he will go overseas)

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