Full article: Kobe Bryant the most interesting man in the world?
LONDON LeBron James is the best basketball player in the world.
But the world's most popular NBA player? That belongs to Kobe Bryant.
It's revealed in anecdotal evidence. At the U.S. men's introductory Olympic news conference in London on July 27, Bryant drew more attention from international journalists than any other U.S. player.
It's obvious during Team USA introductions before Olympic games when Bryant, who has spent his 16-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, receives the loudest ovation.
There is tangible evidence to his worldwide popularity. For the sixth consecutive year, his jersey was the top seller in China, and when the NBA released its first list of top-selling international jerseys in June, Bryant's name was atop that list, too.
"In Asia, everything came to a head at the last Olympics (2008 in Beijing)," Bryant said. "In Europe last summer, we did a nice tour with Nike. The response was more than what we expected. At those two points, that's when we realized how big it is."
Bryant, 33, can't explain his global popularity.
"I don't know why," he said. "I have a hard time putting my finger on it."
But it's certainly there. At Wednesday's afternoon quarterfinals session, which did not include the U.S. team, about a dozen Kobe Bryant jerseys were spotted, including two guys sitting next to each other, one wearing a home jersey, the other a road. Mathieu Dufrenne, 26 of France bought his home jersey four years ago.
"In France, it's quite difficult to see the games, but you can see summaries of the games, and the best actions of the night always show Kobe Bryant, and it's been like that for years. Everybody knows Kobe Bryant," Dufrenne said.
When Dufrenne purchased his quarterfinal tickets, he didn't know which teams he would get to see. He will get to see France play Spain.
"Either way, I was going to see France or Kobe Bryant," he said.
LONDON LeBron James is the best basketball player in the world.
But the world's most popular NBA player? That belongs to Kobe Bryant.
It's revealed in anecdotal evidence. At the U.S. men's introductory Olympic news conference in London on July 27, Bryant drew more attention from international journalists than any other U.S. player.
It's obvious during Team USA introductions before Olympic games when Bryant, who has spent his 16-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, receives the loudest ovation.
There is tangible evidence to his worldwide popularity. For the sixth consecutive year, his jersey was the top seller in China, and when the NBA released its first list of top-selling international jerseys in June, Bryant's name was atop that list, too.
"In Asia, everything came to a head at the last Olympics (2008 in Beijing)," Bryant said. "In Europe last summer, we did a nice tour with Nike. The response was more than what we expected. At those two points, that's when we realized how big it is."
Bryant, 33, can't explain his global popularity.
"I don't know why," he said. "I have a hard time putting my finger on it."
But it's certainly there. At Wednesday's afternoon quarterfinals session, which did not include the U.S. team, about a dozen Kobe Bryant jerseys were spotted, including two guys sitting next to each other, one wearing a home jersey, the other a road. Mathieu Dufrenne, 26 of France bought his home jersey four years ago.
"In France, it's quite difficult to see the games, but you can see summaries of the games, and the best actions of the night always show Kobe Bryant, and it's been like that for years. Everybody knows Kobe Bryant," Dufrenne said.
When Dufrenne purchased his quarterfinal tickets, he didn't know which teams he would get to see. He will get to see France play Spain.
"Either way, I was going to see France or Kobe Bryant," he said.
this one is for you...what are you doing later tonight? 
i bet kobe would start out kissing the back of her neck softly
