Kobe Bryant is already one of the most captivating players in pro basketball. Now he is attracting attention in a new way.
Bryant recently told Spanish sensation Ricky Rubio that the US team will win gold in the London Olympics this summer. The duo recently squared off and their on-court verbal exchange was captured on video.
Bryant, to Rubio and Los Angeles Lakers team-mate Pau Gasol: “You talking about London?”
Gasol: “Oh, yeah.”
Rubio: “You’re gonna be there?”
Bryant: “Yeah.”
Rubio: “You know you’re getting the silver medal. You know that.”
Bryant: “S***! I’m taking bets. If I win, I get the keys of Barcelona.”
Rubio: “I bet what you want.”
Bryant: “I’ll take it!”
With the US team not yet decided but limited to a 20-man roster that will be difficult to narrow to 12, Rubio’s challenge is a big one. But for the rookie point guard, the exchange was a light-hearted joke.
“It’s just we talk about if he’s going to go to the Olympic games,” Rubio said. “You know, I always try to be the winner. It’s normal that we talk like that, but we’re just having fun, you know.”
Rubio played against Bryant in Beijing at the 2008 Olympics, where the Spanish team lost to the United States in the championship game and came away with silver medals. He’s also built a relationship with Bryant through Gasol and the two guards have been in contact through their work with Nike. To Rubio, Bryant isn’t a stranger or a celebrity; he’s just a talented older player.
Bryant is likely a lock for one of the US team’s 12 spots in 2012 along with superstars like LeBron James and Chris Paul. Many of those stars figure to be on display in the upcoming All-Star Game in Orlando, Florida on 26 February.
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