AP
LOS ANGELES -- Kobe Bryant will not be leaving the NBA for Europe anytime soon. Neither will LeBron James. Not because they'd turn down a $50 million offer from a team overseas, but because there isn't (and likely won't be) such an offer.
Standing on the center of the Lakers logo at the team's training facility prior to the start of training camp, Bryant laughed off rumors that he would consider a move to Europe to play, saying that it was nothing more than a joke and a fictitious figure he threw out there when an International reporter asked James during the Olympics if he would consider playing in Europe when he became a free agent.
"That was funny. I'll tell you exactly what happened," said Bryant. "We were up there and we were answering all these questions and sometimes you get some really ridiculous questions. I mean some really crazy stuff. So I'm sitting up there with LeBron and somebody throws us this question about playing overseas so I didn't want him to answer it. He's a young kid and I didn't want him taking the controversial stuff so I said, 'Well, yeah, if a team throws us $50 million, then we'll all go.' Just to get a kick out of them. I mean who the hell has $50 million to throw at someone? Somebody really took that as someone really has $50 million to offer and then it became a serious issue, but c'mon, that's ridiculous."
It may be ridiculous, but what if someone did offer Bryant that much to play overseas?
"I don't see anybody throwing someone $50 million for one season," he said. "I mean, again, who the hell has $50 million to throw around. Does Bill Gates own a team over there that no one knows about? It was just a joke and we had a good time with it and it took on a life of its own."
Bryant, who turned 30 on the eve of winning the gold medal with Team USA this summer, said he still thinks he's in the prime of his career despite Phil Jackson suggesting he should play fewer minutes this season. "Thirty is the new 20, that's what Jay-Z says anyway," said Bryant. "I feel great. Nothing's changed. People think I can't windmill and stuff, but in Beijing I did a windmill dunk in the lay-up line and they drug-tested me right after the game. I was pissing in the cup with the guy standing right over my shoulder. It was horrendous."
Last year during the Lakers' media day, Bryant was a disgruntled player, upset with his role on a struggling team and seeking a trade. This year, Bryant was all smiles, with the only thing upsetting him being the performance of his Philadelphia Eagles in a tough loss to the Chicago Bears the previous night.
"That's the only team that pisses me off when they lose," he said. "That wasn't good. We already lost to those Cowgirls. We really blew an opportunity last night with them losing."
Bryant, however, doesn't envision the Lakers blowing another opportunity to win a championship if they return to the NBA Finals this year.
"That sting is still there, it's still lingering," said Bryant. "We need to be better defensively but we're in a much better position now than where we were. We're the favorites for a reason. That's what I tell the guys. We're the favorites because we have all the tools here. We have all the pieces to the puzzle and now it's on us to do the work. If we do the work, we should win it."
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Comments (17) Add A Comment
I wouldn't rule it out as an option. If the money is presented to either of them, each player mentioned would have a unique opportunity to completely jumpstart the European basketball market. Not only would they make a huge amount of money playing for them, but they would also be the two most marketable players in Europe. Endorsements overseas would probably bring in just as much as their contracts.
nyr35 = PH
Total Comments (618)
This is a stupid topic. Team USA, at the olympics, representing their country, and this story comes up about them going overseas to play?? You've gotta be kidding me.
Fatty Acid
540, JI
Total Comments (837)
I'm glad someone asked him and he explained how saying something, even hypothetically, can take on a life of it's own. All summer we have been flooded with articles, blogs, and ESPN about whether there was this $50 mill carrot being dangled and would they dare take it and yada yada yada. Sometimes the "what ifs" can go waaayy too far.
Simone
Total Comments (43)
You all may think it's ludicrous but there really ARE people in the world that 50 mill is only lunch money to. It's not inconcieveable for Kobe to have such a "carrot" dangled in front of him or LeBron. Look at the NBA now, filled with Europeans and every team has one or two or more! The NBA was once an All-American game but not anymore and if somebody can BRING a player from over there to play then it's just as believeable that somebody can pay to bring Kobe and LeBron over there to play. These days you can't rule anything out.
cowboysrule9296@yaho…
Shreveport , LA
Total Comments (36)
yes it is...there are NO teams in Europe that woudl be willing to pay him 50 million dollars....why? if that was the case they would have offered these super stars the money a long time ago....
not to mention all the European stars are coming to the US to play....why?
A) Its where the best talent is to play against
B) They likely get paid more money here in the states to play rather than overseas...
Steveo16220 says: FF…
Total Comments (5399)
What a difference a year makes!
Hyped78
Lisbon, Portugal, EU
Total Comments (6888)
I really dont see what all the fuss is about. Kobe really isnt "all that" to begin with!
Jiff
www.privacy-center.ru.tc
CLuster TIM
Fort Lauderdale , FL
Total Comments (3)
LOL...this comment just made my day.
Lebron James is easily the next great NBA player, but Kobe Bryant is still the reigning best player in the NBA, bar none. You, sir, are a laughing stock.
C-Smith
Total Comments (2159)
;)
lakerfan07
Las Vegas , NV
Total Comments (46)
Look at the guys who have been leaving the NBA to play overseas - mid-level NBA players who would make no more than the Mid-Level Exception on the free agent market that would be able to go overseas and be able to start and make starter's money (Jannero Pargo, Josh Childress, etc) Kobe's not leaving, Lebron's not leaving, Dirk is not leaving and he's from over there. It's just smoke being blown up everyones sphinters.
QuietStorm12
Baton Rouge , LA
Total Comments (490)
Kobe or Lebron were never going. Neither was D-Wade or any other top NBA star. Guys like Jannero Pargo and Josh Childress, guys who were sixth men, can go over there, earn starters money and get to be stars. It's a goldmine for guys like them. Its much more to gain for them. Not much to gain for the NBA's top starts by going to play in Europe. It was a joke by KB24 and just that.
QuietStorm12
Baton Rouge , LA
Total Comments (490)
I don't think KObe would go overseas. He is still trying to prove to people the Lakers can win the title as the #1 option.
AllOutWar
Total Comments (6)
I never liked Kobe- but it's a good change to see him joking and showing a little more personality.
The **** in a cup exchange was actually pretty funny.
El_Stone
Total Comments (428)
wow, kobe has a personality and sense of humor? could have fooled me.. as said above its definitely a nice change from him
svtjer
Great State Of, SC
Total Comments (1393)
50 million dollars would be around 35 million euros. That's not so far fetched.
hiboy00
Zephyrhills , FL
Total Comments (3)
Kobe is the best 1 on 1 player in the league right now with Labron being 1-A..Over seas is for the kids that don't want the "one and done" route to the NBA... its fun to think about and they(International Basketball)would get more TV time if a superstar were to go "over there, over there, send the word, send the word over there".
Wa2Sea
Total Comments (733)
NBA sucks **** these days, plain and simple,. tis going WNBA style. No crowd, crappy teams..etc etc.
Does to many drugs
Total Comments (3902)
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