Kobe Bryant May Take His Talents To China If The NBA Lockout Drags On
Posted by Media Outrage on July 8th, 2011
Kobe Bryant is without a doubt the NBA’s biggest star besides LeBron James. Well it seems as though Kobe is ready to bolt to China and resume playing basketball on an exhibition tour if the NBA lockout continues.
NBA team owners last week crossed the Rubicon, locking out the players as negotiations over a new labor agreement fell apart. But while the owners and the players union battle over how to split the league’s roughly $4 billion worth of revenue, an extended lockout could bring China’s basketball fans a barnstorming tour featuring one of the game’s brightest stars.
The Los Angeles Times reports that Kobe Bryant is considering an exhibition tour in China, where his jersey has long been the No. 1 seller. The newspaper said the Los Angeles Lakers megastar and his agent, Rob Pelinka, are trying to put together the tour with a number of players, citing Minnesota Timberwolves rookie forward Derrick Williams. Williams, who is also represented by Pellinka, was drafted second out of the University of Arizona in last month’s NBA draft, and said he would like to join such a tour.
An exhibition league in China for U.S. pros isn’t a unique idea—SportsBusiness Journal reported that Wasserman Media Group, which also represents a number of NBA players, including this season’s most valuable player, Derrick Rose, in April began pitching an exhibition tournament in China in case of an extended lockout.
All the reports are careful to state that such plans are still at a very preliminary stage—it seems clear that most parties want to hammer out an agreement and get on with the next NBA season on time. But with such an acrimonious split and grim prospects for a quick resolution, a number of players are examining other options if NBA arenas remain dark. Bryant’s Laker teammate Pau Gasol has said he would prefer to return to his native Spain to play ball if the season is canceled but said China was a possible alternative.
The New York Daily News is feeding the rumor mill too, saying that New York Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudamire would consider joining Bryant’s Chinese tour if he couldn’t play in the NBA, citing a person close to the all-star.
Mediaoutrage- What are your thoughts about NBA players going to China to play??
July 8th, 2011 at 10:26 am
UMMMM… who cares!!!
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Haters really hate themselves Reply:
July 10th, 2011 at 6:38 am
Shut up ho’…Obviously enough you cared to comment
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LowRidaz Reply:
July 10th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
like I said, who gives a fuck! and you calling me a hoe?!!! well you must be one to standing on the next corner watching me bitch! silly bitches never prosper!
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July 8th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
The players should threaten to start their own league, they arent striking they are locked out and have a right to gainful employment. All they need is a major network on board and advertisers would line up. Just the threat i think would be enough to shake the owners at least enough to get a deal. Imagine a 12 team league with ONLY the best players.
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Media Outrage Reply:
July 8th, 2011 at 8:06 pm
True…Chynaman handle that! Get that started
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Chynaman Reply:
July 9th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
Lol… Man i wish i had a seat at the negotiating table and enough money to last a lifetime, they would hate me! I would be going super hard on the owners, the players are the product and if the owners aint talking right fuck em. Lets do our own thing!
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July 8th, 2011 at 9:53 pm
I believe he’s going to Turkey…a true champ do what he has to do, while the other players gets fat and get arrested for stupid shit
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February 29th, 2012 at 10:33 am
Impressive subject!
Kerry propper
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