"Europe's a possibility" - Kobe

[Dead_Real]

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/bei...yhoo&type=lgns

BEIJING – Kobe Bryant won’t sign a contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers until he has tested the global market, the U.S. Olympic basketball star told Yahoo! Sports on Saturday. Asked whether he plans to solicit overseas offers before signing an extension, Bryant flatly said yes. It’s possible Bryant could leave the NBA for Europe – perhaps in a dual role of owner and player – as early as next summer. Bryant is signed with the Lakers through the 2010-11 season, but can opt out after next season.

“As players, the business of the game (is) evolving,” Bryant said before a Team USA practice at Beijing Normal University. “I think free agency now is becoming a global thing …. When players become free agents, the team they’re currently with – their competition is no longer the rest of the teams in the NBA. But it’s global. So, the market’s opened up. So we’ll just have to see how the league responds to it.”

First Bron now Bean Bryant Stern =

[TheLegend]

The NBA will die if David Sterin won't retires...

[Muttley]

I'm not surprised to hear this. Kobe's almost Italian anyway. The salary cap will have to be abolished, or the league expanded to take over Europe. Maybe they could do a combined league with two tiers like the English Premier League (relegation and all).

mmm... nah, that'd never work.

[TheBeagle]

Let the greedyass bagadooshes leave and roll around in their filthy eurobillions in obscurity overseas. If they want to play the game of basketball ONLY for money, they can't get their asses over the pond fast enough for me. As far as I'm concerned the whole damn U.S. team can stay overseas and never come back if they are so enamored with goddam, superfluous wealth.

I'll tell you how the league should respond you cg, Kobe Bryant, they ought to deport your ass on a barge of your billions and hope the money stays afloat long enough to get you where-ever you're going. You'll be surprised how quickly you fade from memory, you self-aggrandizing bastard!!

[dnbman]

Let the greedyass bagadooshes leave and roll around in their filthy eurobillions in obscurity overseas. If they want to play the game of basketball ONLY for money, they can't get their asses over the pond fast enough for me. As far as I'm concerned the whole damn U.S. team can stay overseas and never come back if they are so enamored with goddam, superfluous wealth.

I'll tell you how the league should respond you cg, Kobe Bryant, they ought to deport your ass on a barge of your billions and hope the money stays afloat long enough to get you where-ever you're going. You'll be surprised how quickly you fade from memory, you self-aggrandizing bastard!!

Look at South American Football. All those guys play in Europe. I think it's pretty natural for professionals to go where the big dollars are.

One other thing: I'm not sure Europe could sustain a lot of NBA contracts like that. You're talking about a few players getting contracts that would give their teams huge visibility and big advantages in their leagues. However, as the uniqueness wears off, so will the allure, making the investment potential drop. So, I'm not expecting any kind of mass exodus anytime soon.

However, I would like for there to be a true world champion in the style of the Euro league cup.

[Dead_Real]

Honestly I can't blame any man for chasing the $ to provide for his family especially when your 29 and you have accomplished as much as Kobe has in the NBA.

[TheBeagle]

Honestly I can't blame any man for chasing the $ to provide for his family especially when your 29 and you have accomplished as much as Kobe has in the NBA.

Wow. I knew living in LA was expensive, but I thought being a multi-millionaire would enable you to provide a warm meal and a roof over your family's head. Poor guy. Maybe we should all donate some money to the destitute Bryant household since the season's over with and the gamechecks aren't coming in. Lord knows those endorsement contracts aren't enough to buy a bagel and cup of coffee. Is it safe to say Kobe's new nickname is now "Breadline" Bryant?

[Dead_Real]

Wow. I knew living in LA was expensive, but I thought being a multi-millionaire would enable you to provide a warm meal and a roof over your family's head. Poor guy. Maybe we should all donate some money to the destitute Bryant household since the season's over with and the gamechecks aren't coming in. Lord knows those endorsement contracts aren't enough to buy a bagel and cup of coffee. Is it safe to say Kobe's new nickname is now "Breadline" Bryant?

So your telling me if you were in his position to own AND play for a team in Europe + get a bigger paycheck you wouldn't do it? Most NBA players especially elite level athletes are getting paid good money I don't disagree with that at all but the fact still remains if it's a higher offer on the table most people would jump at the chance (I know I would) even if they are already financially stable. My point is that I don't think it's fair/right to judge anyone for considering all his job options.

[TheBeagle]

So your telling me if you were in his position to own AND play for a team in Europe + get a bigger paycheck you wouldn't do it? Most NBA players especially elite level athletes are getting paid good money I don't disagree with that at all but the fact still remains if it's a higher offer on the table most people would jump at the chance (I know I would) even if they are already financially stable. My point is that I don't think it's fair/right to judge anyone for considering all his job options.

I can, without doubt, affirm that I wouldn't do anything ONLY for the payday. Money is not a panacea as reality and mass culture has informed us since Aristophenes and maybe even before. Money is just one facet of life, and it's not a facet, especially if you are set for life, that should be a major priority unless you are hovering around the poverty line, and even then money is a form of survival--not something to hoard a la the Uncle Scrooge archetype.

If I had the resources to own and play for a European team, and I had the desire to do so, I would do it; the money is inconsequential if I'm a multi-multi-multi-millionaire. What a miserable existence it must be to always be in search of a payday; you live once, you can't take the shit with you; why collect more than you or your offspring will ever need? I just don't get it; and I'm glad I don't.

[Dead_Real]

I still see nothing wrong with trying to get more money if the opportunity is there to get it most of the great business man are always trying to find a way to get more money. I wouldn't say making money is inconsequential to millionaire's (I agree it MIGHT be with some but not all) I could see if he's WASTING it by making it rain in a strip club like Pacman more often than not it's going to his kids, immediate family members, or giving back to the community or charitys who knows. Hell I know if I was paid like Kobe I would give back to those who looked out for me when I was growing up like eventually I want to be able to buy my mother a house. But everyone has there own opinions so I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on this topic.