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Kobe Bryant will skip FIBA World Championships in Turkey
Posted: Tue Jul 6, 2010 12:41 am
by iamworthy
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is taking a break from basketball this summer.
In an interview with AOL Fanhouse on Monday, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said Bryant, as well as every other player on the 2008 Olympic team except for Deron Williams and Chris Paul, will not compete in the FIBA World Championships in Turkey.
"It's a combination of three things: free agency, injuries and having gone hard for a long time,'' Colangelo said. "And I'm OK with that."
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Bryant had not decided whether he would play before leaving for South Africa to attend the World Cup, but hinted it was time for a break after his exit interview two weeks ago.
"We've been in the Finals now three years in a row," he said. "We've been playing a great deal of basketball, so, this summer for me is about getting healthy. I think that will give us the best opportunity to defend our title again."
http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/n ... id=5356687
Re: Kobe Bryant will skip FIBA World Championships in Turkey
Posted: Tue Jul 6, 2010 12:42 am
by iamworthy
Yessssssssss!!!!
Re: Kobe Bryant will skip FIBA World Championships in Turkey
Posted: Tue Jul 6, 2010 12:53 am
by Gek
Good.
Re: Kobe Bryant will skip FIBA World Championships in Turkey
Posted: Tue Jul 6, 2010 1:18 am
by The Skyhook
iamworthy wrote:Yessssssssss!!!!
Re: Kobe Bryant will skip FIBA World Championships in Turkey
Posted: Tue Jul 6, 2010 1:25 am
by driver
Now fix that hand and knee while you're at it.
Re: Kobe Bryant will skip FIBA World Championships in Turkey
Posted: Tue Jul 6, 2010 1:26 am
by crazyeights
Sounds like Jerry Colangelo has changed his tune.
Re: Kobe Bryant will skip FIBA World Championships in Turkey
Posted: Tue Jul 6, 2010 1:31 am
by Gek
crazyeights wrote:Sounds like Jerry Colangelo has changed his tune.
No. Lebron, Kobe, Wade, Howard and Bosh are not playing for the US Olympic Team.
Re: Kobe Bryant will skip FIBA World Championships in Turkey
Posted: Tue Jul 6, 2010 1:37 am
by Tommy Trojan
No.Kobe did the right things.
Re: Kobe Bryant will skip FIBA World Championships in Turkey
Posted: Tue Jul 6, 2010 1:51 am
by MAMBAEMD
Rest well deserved
Re: Kobe Bryant will skip FIBA World Championships in Turkey
Posted: Tue Jul 6, 2010 1:59 am
by rhp1990
Are they still doing that rule if a player doesn't commit and practice in the summer then they won't play for the US Olympic team in 2012?
Re: Kobe Bryant will skip FIBA World Championships in Turkey
Posted: Tue Jul 6, 2010 2:09 am
by KB24Gold
driver wrote:Now fix that hand and knee while you're at it.
It would be nice, but If I'm not mistaken there was an article that said there really isn't much they can do since he left it that way for a long period of time. It's about time this guy relaxes though.
Re: Kobe Bryant will skip FIBA World Championships in Turkey
Posted: Tue Jul 6, 2010 2:24 am
by Slava
Thank God. I was waiting for him to come out and say this. I think everyone thought he'd be crazy enough to commit to this.
Re: Kobe Bryant will skip FIBA World Championships in Turkey
Posted: Tue Jul 6, 2010 2:24 am
by Slava
G=K wrote:crazyeights wrote:Sounds like Jerry Colangelo has changed his tune.
No. Lebron, Kobe, Wade, Howard and Bosh are not playing for the US Olympic Team.
Dude.. that sig is fire!
Re: Kobe Bryant will skip FIBA World Championships in Turkey
Posted: Tue Jul 6, 2010 3:21 am
by Lakeshow2417
he needs the rest. Lebron can go though
Re: Kobe Bryant will skip FIBA World Championships in Turkey
Posted: Tue Jul 6, 2010 3:22 am
by LA Warrior
Instead Kobe will hibernate in one of these all summer...
Re: Kobe Bryant will skip FIBA World Championships in Turkey
Posted: Tue Jul 6, 2010 3:43 am
by Mamba Venom
Did team USA REALLY expect him to play after 3 Finals and the Olympics???
Re: Kobe Bryant will skip FIBA World Championships in Turkey
Posted: Tue Jul 6, 2010 5:48 am
by SniperHawk10
Thank you!
Re: Kobe Bryant will skip FIBA World Championships in Turkey
Posted: Tue Jul 6, 2010 6:23 am
by 96 Til Infiniti
Great news that both Kobe and Gasol will be sitting out the WC's.
I just hope Drew is focused on rehabbing this summer too and isn't over indulging in the "perks" of winning back-to-back championships.
Re: Kobe Bryant will skip FIBA World Championships in Turkey
Posted: Tue Jul 6, 2010 6:42 am
by laduane1
great news. Kobe as well as Gasol need time to rest and relax. Get any injuries fixed.
Re: Kobe Bryant will skip FIBA World Championships in Turkey
Posted: Tue Jul 6, 2010 2:41 pm
by TommyTheCat
good news for the lakers and lakers fans