Adrian Wojnarowski, who is across the pond covering Team USA in London, writes that Kobe Bryant is intrigued by the idea of finishing his basketball career in Europe. It is well documented that Bryant speaks Italian and Spanish from growing up in Europe when his father was playing overseas. It seems only natural for the thought to cross his mind, and inevitable that he is being asked about it while in London. But is his interest legitimate?
"It would be natural for me to go do it. It wouldn't be a stretch at all. I grew up here," Bryant said.
Bryant has two seasons left on his deal with the Lakers, and Wojnarowski says that if he were to actually do it, that would be the time. During the lockout, Bryant considered signing in both China and the Italian League. Bryant said the following when asked about where he could see himself:
"You'd have to look at the market and what's going on in terms of the level of basketball being played. I understand there's a high level of competitive basketball in Turkey now. They might have the best league in Europe. Spain has obviously been one of the top leagues for a long time."
"And Italy is a place that's dear in my heart, I grew up there, but the level is not where it used to be. When I was growing up over there, that was the best league in Europe."
This isn't the first time we have heard comments like this from Kobe. And while it certainly seems far-fetched and unlikely to happen, these comments do seem to imply a little more genuineness.