Los Angeles Star Kobe Bryant keen on moving to Italy – NBA Update
One of the biggest names in NBA could soon be playing basketball in Europe. Los Angeles Lakers super star Kobe Bryant has been locked in negotiations with Italian side Virtus Bologna over the last few weeks, discussing a terms
for a move, which Kobe very much wants to happen.
Bryant is in Italy at present and the player hinted he could soon be playing in the country,
"It's very possible. It would be a dream for me," Bryant said, according to the Gazzetta dello Sport in fluent Italian. "There's an opportunity that we've been discussing over the last few days. It's very possible and that's good
news for me."
The player grew up in Italy and speaks the language very well. His father, Joe Bryant, played in Italy for a number of years, representing many different teams. He is now the coach of WNBA team Los Angeles Sparks.
It was in Italy that Kobe was first introduced to basketball and immediately fell in love with the game. He dreamed of playing in the NBA and we all know how well that went. Bryant believes that learning the game in Italy helped
him become a better player in the NBA. He praised the all - round approach to the game in Europe as compared to an emphasis on a flashy style in the United States.
"Italy is my home. It's where my dream of playing in the NBA started. This is where I learned the fundamentals, learned to shoot, to pass and to (move) without the ball," Kobe Bryant said. "All things that when I came back to America
the players my age didn't know how to do because they were only thinking about jumping and dunking."
Now, Bryant feels like he could use some time back in the Italian peninsula. The NBA has been in lockout since July 1st and the labour dispute is not showing any signs of being resolved any time soon. Therefore, a number
of NBA stars have already decided to take their skills abroad, signing year long contracts in places as diverse as China and Turkey.
Kobe is unlikely to commit for a year to Bologna though. Even if he did, he would have an escape clause in his contract, allowing him to return to the Los Angeles Lakers if the NBA lockout ends.
The offer currently on the table is believed to be for just around 40 days, from October 9 to November 16. Bryant would be given $2.5 million for featuring in 10 games - $1.5 million after tax - and would be free to report to the
Lakers as soon as the NBA season begins.
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