Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul will feature in two exhibition games in Manila - NBA News
Manila the capital of the Philippines will hold two basketball exhibition games on July 23 and 24. The highlight of the game will be Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant. Besides him Chris Paul and few other big names of National
Basketball Association are also going to take part in the two games.
The confirmation of the event was made known through a press conference. Kobe will be the player coach of the team that will play against top talent in the Philippines professional league.
This will be a great sight for the basketball fans, who have been depressed with the lockout situation. Moreover, the fans in Philippines will be thrilled to see such huge stars in their country.
The other NBA players that will come to Manila to take part in the exhibition games includes: DeAndre Jordan, James Harden, Tyreke Evans and Minnesota Timberwolves No. 2 overall pick from the 2011 NBA Draft Derrick Williams. According
to the reports, there is a high probability that more players can be invited for the exhibition games.
Philippines coach Chot Reyes gave the hint in this regard, said, “It could be one more MVP and one more Rookie of the Year.” Reyes was pointing towards Chicago Bulls dazzling guard and previous season’s Most Valuable Player Derrick
Rose and the leading scorer of the NBA for the past two seasons Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Prior to this Manila also hosted FIBA tournament a few months back, in which top clubs across the Asia took part. In that tournament, Al Riyadi Beirut of Lebanon won the 22nd FIBA Asia Championship defeating the top
club of Iran, Mahram 91-82.
However, in comparison to the NBA stars, the previous event in Manila does not hold that value.
There is also a high possibility that the NBA players might now turn towards Asia, as they are seeking some attractive contracts from the teams in the Chinese League. The names of the players, who are looking to take their talents
to the Chinese League includes Kobe, Dwight Howards and Dwyane Wade among many.
New Jersey Nets guard Deron Williams recently said about Kobe and his impact on China, "I see him going to China or somewhere. He’s big in China. I was over there with him in Beijing. He’s ‘The Man’ over there."
Deron was the first player, who started the player exodus by signing the contract with a Turkish sports club Besiktas. The contract is worth $5 million for one year and most importantly includes an out clause that will allow him
to return to the NBA as soon as the lockout situation is sorted out.
Tags: