Virtus Bologna not giving up on Kobe Bryant just yet – NBA Update
Italian Basketball club Virtus Bologna has refused to admit defeat in their pursuit of NBA super star Kobe Bryant.
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar has been linked with the Italian team for quite a while now and numerous proposals for a move have been exchanged, however his many commitments elsewhere, have so far scuppered all chances of a
transfer.
The club had originally proposed a season long move for Kobe, whose father used to play basketball in Italy. The Lakers star grew up there has fond memories of his time in the peninsula. He knows the language well even now, but
a move for a complete season did not seem feasible to him.
Bologna therefore came back with the proposal of Kobe coming over for 10 games in a multi-million dollar deal. That too though, did not fly well with Bryant. In the ensuing days, Bologna desperately tried hard to get the star in
for just a single game, but later admitted on their website that even that did not seem possible at the moment.
"Following the latest contact with Rob Pelinka, Kobe Bryant's agent, we have acknowledged that the player's unexpected commitments have made it impossible for him to accept the proposals suggested for October 27 to November 1,"
said a note on the club's website.
Pelinka has been handling the negotiations with Bologna which have also involved sponsors to fund the deal. Bologna though are adamant that with help for Pelinka, they would be able to lure the Lakers super star for a few games
in the middle of the next month, and they will continue to explore avenues to make it happen.
"We thank Rob Pelinka for his availability and professionalism and we will continue to work together to try to secure the arrival of Kobe Bryant in Italy in mid-November."
There might be some chance of Bryant eventually appearing in Bologna’s colours for a game or two as the player is on record saying he would like to play in Italy at some point. However his move away from the United States since
the lockout began has proved to be a very tricky affair.
Although Bryant has been around the world on tours, including to China and the Philippines, when it comes to playing for a professional team things just seem to fall apart time and again.
He had reported interest from China but it failed to materialize as the Chinese Basketball Association put in place rules which discouraged the arrival of foreign players. Then there was a long running saga with Besiktas, the Turkish
club currently home to New Jersey Nets guard Deron Williams. But after frantic efforts that train was also derailed.
The way things are going at the moment, the Azzuri’s have their work cut out.
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