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| Issue 41/January 7, 2001 |
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In All-Star voting Kobe continues to lead all western conference guards with 487,020 votes. Jason Kidd remains in second place with 315,626 votes. Remember to vote for Kobe at http://www.nbacontestrules.com/ballot.html since voting will end in a week!
Kobe has recently updated his journal, which can be found at his website- http://www.kobebryant.com. The journal talks about his recent ejection, their previous road trip, and his Christmas. "Christmas was good and it was special being home with my family. I got most of my shopping done early this year, so it wasn't too crazy at the last minute. It was not too great that we lost to Portland on Christmas Day, especially on a questionable call. But, all things considered, it's all good," Kobe writes.
- By: Amber
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| Issue 42/January 21, 2001 |
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"Shaq's take: Don't make me one-dimensional. I'm better than that. You want my D, you've got to use my O.
Kobe's take: No, I don't."
But the most controversial statement was one Kobe recalled with Phil Jackson, one week into the season. "Turn my game down? I need to turn it up. I've improved. How are you going to bottle me up? I'd be better off playing somewhere else."
If you haven't picked up the magazine, or read the article online, I recommend you do. Essentially this is when the feud went public. The days following sparked many attacks and sides being taken. Even J.R. Rider offered his opinion. But unlike NBA fans across the country, Jackson was not laughing. "This is really juvenile stuff, sandbox stuff," he said. "It's silly."
What's silly is that Shaq asked general manager Mitch Kupchak for a trade, after the Lakers 115-78 defeat over Phoenix. As you may recall Kobe was the hot hand in that desert game scoring 38 points in 32 minutes. "Kobe had a game to die for. It was one of those games where if he could have kicked the ball, it would have gone in the basket," Jackson said. While Kupchak listened, he did not take the demand seriously- "You have to take the conversation for what the moment was," he said. "Never for a second did I consider it. This is something that will be worked out. There haven't been and there will be no discussions about trading anyone. Period."
So no one is going anywhere, but do they genuinely want to play with each other? "All we ask from Shaq is to be the dominant presence that he is and play solid defense," Kobe said. "That's it. Scoring shouldn't affect his defense. We've been losing games on the defensive end. Offensively, there's nothing wrong with us."
"Shaq is angry; you can see that in his demeanor and hear it in his voice. He's got to find a way to work through that. Anybody who's angry can't perform," Jackson explained. "Shaq has retreated a lot into himself. Kobe is a joyful personality having a lot of fun on the court."
The anger is evident. After calling Kobe selfish and enforcing that "if the big dog ain't me, then the house won't get guarded period," Shaq has been boycotting the media. Not talking to any reporters for over a week, he finally spoke after Friday night's victory over Houston. But Shaq did listen to vice president and legendary Laker Magic Johnson, whom spoke to both Shaq and Kobe before their Cleveland game.
"I just met with both of them separately. It's about going out there, playing together and winning. I think the message was received," Johnson related. "These guys are professionals, and they're two of the best players in the league, so they'll find a way of working it out."
Things seemed to have cooled down for the moment. Shaq has been the leading scorer for the team since this drama, but Kobe registered his first career triple double against the Grizzlies in overtime last Monday. With 11 assists Kobe has increased his passing. But when asked if his teammates were appreciative he said, "No, not really." When Kobe has led the Lakers in scoring they have been 15-4, while with Shaq they are 9-8. The one scoring tie resulted in a win.
Asked by reporters if he regretted any of his ESPN comments Kobe stated, "No, because it was just the truth," he said. "I don't regret being honest."
For their part in the Kobe-Shaq feud, the ESPN Page2 staff decided to have online voters determine who was "the man" for the Lakers. Voting lasted for two days, with five events each day. While they each won five events, some were worth more points. Making Kobe the winner in "The Decathlon." The events Kobe won were: sprinting, intelligence, gymnastics, golf, and fashion. Whereas Shaq took: acting, football, boxing, comedy, and weightlifting. If you would like to see the final results visit ESPN.com - Page2 - And the winner is .....
After practice the other day Kobe and J.R. Rider played three games of one-on-one. While most of the players had left the court, except Shaq who was shooting free-throws in a corner, Kobe was busy beating Rider two games to one. The guys played for about 20 minutes. "We hadn't done that in a long time," Rider said. "It was for both of us. I'm a little tired, a little out of shape and I know Kobe's going to go hard, so I asked him to play a little one-on-one today. It was good."
Dr. Jack Ramsey's listed his choice for the top 5 big-game players. The list was: Gary Payton, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan and Reggie Miller, respectively. At the top of the list was:
1] KOBE BRYANT
He proved last year he could rise to the occasion, especially in the playoffs. He was phenomenal.
Saturday's L.A. Times reported that Kobe has "sent a substantial donation to be used toward Red Cross relief efforts in El Salvador." Last week El Salvador was hit by an earthquake. Kobe had been sitting in the player lounge before Monday's game against Vancouver, when a story about three sisters aired. One had gone to the library, while the two others were crushed when their home collapsed. "The story just touched me," he said. "The way I look at it, it's a small world, period," he continued. "El Salvador, Italy or wherever. These are human beings. Whatever you can do to help out, you need to help out. If you had seen that story, trust me, you would have done the same thing." Donations aren't uncommon for today's athletes, often philanthropists, it's just not always reported. "The reason why it goes unnoticed is because for a lot of people, the first thing that catches their ears is something negative," he said. "That's more of an attention getter."
- By: Amber
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| Issue 43/February 4, 2001 |
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Kobe has been nominated for a Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award, for Male Athlete. Rosie O'Donnell will once again host the awards, which are to take place in April.
Kobe, with a sore right shoulder, may not play in next Sunday's All-Star game. "We'll see how I feel," he said. "The All-Star game isn't as important to me as benefiting this team in the second leg of the season, especially because we have that tough trip coming up. So, if I need to rest in order to benefit this team in the second half of the season, then that's what I'm going to do." David Stern has threatened to fine players who decline to play in the game. "I'll take the fine," Bryant said. "If I have to do that to help this team in the second half, I have no problem with that."
Kobe will make his decision this week, so hopefully he'll be feeling better.
- By: Amber
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| Issue 44/February 18, 2001 |
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"McDonald's has a strong history of working with many great basketball athletes including Michael Jordan and Larry Bird, and I'm honored to continue that legacy," said Bryant. "This relationship just made great sense for me. Not only am I a big fan of McDonald's food, but I share in McDonald's passion for supporting community efforts, especially with respect to kids."
"Kobe fits perfectly into our 'Next Big Thing' theme at McDonald's. Not only is he one of the hottest players in the NBA today but he also is an outstanding person dedicated to many of the same children's charities and community efforts we are. We're proud to have him on our team," continued Feldman.
At last weekend's All-Star game Kobe was fined $10,000 for skipping Friday's media session. After protesting his desire to skip the weekend altogether, Kobe decided against that after he heard rumors of a possible suspension. Instead he stayed in LA to continue receiving treatment on his sore right shoulder.
Coach Phil Jackson handed out new books to the team this past week. Kobe got Corelli's Madolin. When asked by a reporter if he was going to read it, Kobe said "No."
While in Philladelphia on Wednesday Kobe spent the day with his maternal grandmother. When he arrived in the locker room he wore a light gray suit with a light pink shirt and a pink print tie. "Grandma loves me in a suit, man," he said. "You go home, you almost have to throw on a suit."
- By: Amber
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| Issue 45/March 4, 2001 |
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Shaq will soon release a book entitled Shaq Talks Back, a chronicled story of his years in the NBA. On the topic of Kobe, he states that he is, "not a bad person," and that he, "respected Kobe and his game." He also goes on the say that, "The truth is, before Phil came along, no one wanted to play with Kobe." And that, Every time Del [Harris] put [Bryant] on the bench, somebody would run downstairs," O'Neal contends. "Buss said, 'Put him back in the game now.'" "Kurt Rambis was even worse. He let Kobe do whatever he wanted to do," O'Neal wrote. "No questions asked."
Copies of the book were found Wednesday in the locker room. The following night owner Jerry Buss had a statement of his own on the topic. "I've never done anything like that," Buss said. "But Shaq wouldn't say it unless he thought it were true." Buss continued, "I will talk to Shaq about it, to find out why he thinks this. Perhaps someone misinformed him."
- By: Amber
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| Issue 46/March 18, 2001 |
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In the game he brought the Lakers back from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to a six-point overtime win. Kobe received a large amount of boos, but at the end of the game as Robert Horry shot a free throw he signed a jersey for a woman amongst these non-supporters.
"You know why?" he said. "The reason I did that, the fan all game long was saying, 'Kobe don't worry about it. Don't think about it. Just play straight through it. Play through it. Please play through it.' You know what I mean? Everyone around her was booing and saying, 'Aw, Kobe's not showing up.' She said, 'Push through it. Just get the win. We believe in you.' That's the kind of support . . ."
- By: Amber
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| Issue 47/April 1, 2001 |
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"The Academy Awards is one of the country's most watched programs and we believe Kobe delivers an Oscar-winning performance worthy of this special debut," said R.J. Milano, vice president, McDonald's U.S. Marketing.
If you missed the commercial, it's at a summer youth basketball camp where a team is preparing for the championship game. They then learn that a star player is unable to participate. As Kobe is listening he offers to help out. While skeptical, the kids agree, but tell Kobe "not to blow it." The team wins, and goes to McDonald's.
"This McDonald's spot is very close to the heart of who I am, especially with respect to children," said Kobe Bryant. "I loved working with the kids, especially since I can remember being in similar situations when I was beginning to play basketball. And, I'm really thrilled this spot will be watched by millions during the Academy Awards. Hopefully it will put a smile on everyone's face."
Last week the Chicago Sun-Times ran a two-piece article about Coach Phil Jackson and his relationship's with his players. He commented that Kobe was "bored" with the offense, and that it did not "display his talent." But his negative comments didn't stop there. He went on to add that, "Someone told me that in high school, Kobe used to sabotage his own games. So the game could be close. So he could dominate at the end. To sabotage the team process, to be so self-centered in your own process--it's almost stupefying." After hearing these words, Kobe labeled them "ridiculous" and had no other comment. But, as the L.A. Times reported, this did upset Kobe's high school coach, Gregg Downer.
"It's ridiculous," Downer said. "I'm getting tired of the microscopic existence Kobe is leading out there. To attack the integrity of myself and the integrity of my basketball program is not right. I'd like to know who his source is. It shows a lack of professionalism."
"I don't appreciate it personally. I can tell you, honestly, it's 100% off base. If Phil wants to say something like that, he better re-check his sources." In his four seasons at Lower Merion with Downer, Kobe was 83-32. "No one who knows him is going to question his fiber," Downer said. "I'll get people who'll line up around the block to talk about how hard this kid played."
"The 'sabotage' thing is not the truth," he said. "If [Jackson] wants to investigate through me, what this high school experience was for him, he should. Kobe had to play his tail off for us to win. Our teams were Kobe and four Division III-types. We were one Kobe sprained ankle from not winning anything. Kobe's out there fighting his tail off. He had a remarkable career. He brought it every night."
"Knowing his competitive spirit, this is being twisted. I can appreciate the tough love, and I can appreciate the fact Kobe's not the easiest to coach. He can be stubborn and hardheaded. But, I also see a player who has gotten better statistically every year in the league, who's not afraid to take the big shot every night. I'm not going to take on seven NBA titles, so I'll just say his source was wrong. But, it often seems like the kid can do no right." When asked on Tuesday about the betrayal of his current coach, Kobe said, "I'm not going to defend myself every time. I'm getting tired of doing that. I'm going to let my play do the talking and hopefully everything else will fall by the wayside."
In other news, Kobe has missed the Lakers' last 5 games with a sore left ankle. Team spokesman John Black also has said it is "very doubtful" that Bryant will play in today's game against the New York Knicks. Kobe injured the ankle in the final minute of the Lakers' 107-100 loss at Milwaukee on March 21.
- By: Amber
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| Issue 48/April 13, 2001 |
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"We'll see how long he can go, and go from there," Phil Jackson said prior to the game. "We obviously know what Phoenix does, and his effectiveness against Jason Kidd with his speed. The Lakers were 7-2 without him.
I knew I was going to be a little sore, and I am right now, but I expected this," he said. "I didn't expect the game last night to set me back. We just keep on treating it, keep on doing strength exercises, and try to get it back to being 100 percent again. It's actually going to get stronger, if we treat it the right way and stick to what we're doing, we can use it to our benefit."
The Lakers were scheduled to practice Wednesday morning at 11 a.m., but after everyone arrived Jackson voiced some superlatives and gave them the day off. Kobe, along with Shaq, Mark Madsen, and Isiah Rider stuck around to shoot.
"It felt good," Bryant said. "I think when we've expected to have off days, we didn't have them. Phil would make us practice. And today we expected to come in and practice hard, we have an off day. So it was an unexpected surprise."
Another surprise has been the Lakers recent 5-game win-streak. "Playoff time is right around the corner," Bryant said. "And like we've been saying, it's important to get some kind of momentum, and now seems like the right time to turn it up."
- By: Amber
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| Issue 49/April 29, 2001 |
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10 Kobe autographed Spalding Infusion basketballs will be auctioned off to raise money for three charities. Sharper Image Corporation will hold the auction at their web site. For those interested, go to www.sharperimage.com then clicking on "Auction Site." The auction will continue through the end of April. The three Los Angeles based charities receiving the auctioned money, will be the Venice Boys and Girls Club, the Holly Grove, and the ERAS Center.
In Game 1 of the Lakers series with the Portland Trail Blazers, Kobe was unintentionally elbowed in the ribs by Rasheed Wallace. Kobe left the court and went to the locker room for treatment. A pad was placed on the rib, and Kobe returned four minutes later. He continued to play throught the game, scoring 28 points, though he often winced in pain.
After the game Scottie Pippen questioned Kobe's injury. "He's got bruised ribs? Which side? Aww, he's trying to be like Mike," Pippen said, referring to Michael Jordan's effort in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals against Utah, when he scored 38 points despite food poisoning. "He wanted to come out and have a heroic performance after saying he had bruised ribs," Pippen said. "It didn't look like he had bruised ribs. He didn't find a shot he didn't like. He wasn't hurt that bad."
Kobe, though upset, remained calm after hearing the remarks. "I've respected Scottie so much, I've looked up to him when I was honing my basketball skills," Bryant said. "Scottie has six rings, he's a champion. It's a little disappointing, but I've got a job to do."
Then in Game 2, after the game was all but decided, Kobe had the ball for a breakaway basket, when Pippen wrapped him up for the foul. The whistle was blown, but before Pippen let go, he shoved his forearm into Kobe's ribs throwing him to the baseline. Upset, Kobe and Pippen exchanged words, but were separated by Horace Grant. Pippen received a technical foul.
"Kobe doesn't want me to hit him in the ribs," Pippen said after the game. "Next time I will hit him in the ribs. I didn't hit him in the ribs. I just tried to stop him."
"If it was a close ballgame, I could understand that," Bryant said later. "But things had already gotten out of hand. I think he acted out of frustration."
- By: Amber
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| Issue 50/May 13, 2001 |
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"They asked me what I thought about it. I said, 'Well, thank you. You know, obviously my wife thinks you're right.'" Later Shaq offered his own take on occasion. "I'm not top 50, I'm top two," he said. "The other? Me. Shaquille and Shaq."
During the first round series with the Portland Trail Blazers, Kobe admits to having learned a few tricks from Steve Smith. "The ref came up to me during a game and said 'You guys have to stop fighting down here. Kobe, stop holding him.'"
"I said, 'Man, I don't have enough years in the league to hold Steve. I don't know how to cheat. I'm learning how to cheat.'" "The ref said, 'Oh OK, Kob . . .'"
"There's a lot of talking going on. Some of it's harsh but Steve Smith and I were very friendly."
And about the situation with Scottie Pippen, in which Pip said Kobe was faking his rib injury: "I have no problem with Scottie. I don't know him at all. I can't judge him." "All I know is--what I respect--he tried to do anything in his power to help his team win. He failed miserably but I can respect that."
On May 2nd, the NBA Announced this year's NBA All-Defensive Teams. Kobe, a All-Defensive First teamer last season, was named to this year's All- Defensive Second Team. The voting panel for All-Defensive players consisted of the NBA's 29 head coaches. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players from their own team.
Kobe missed yesterday's practice at Arco Arena to attend to an undisclosed personal matter in LA. He left Friday night and will be back for today's Game 4. Lakers coach Phil Jackson commented, "I don't think (missing practice) will affect him in any way. We don't usually worry about Kobe's focus."
- By: Amber
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| Issue 51/May 28, 2001 |
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BET will put on the 1st annual "Black Star Power" award show on June 19 in Las Vegas. Kobe has been nominated for Male Athlete, setting him against Tiger Woods, Allen Iverson, and teammate Shaquille O'Neal.
- By: Amber
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| Issue 52/June 6, 2001 |
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Last week the members of the 2001 All NBA team were announced. Kobe did not make the first team this year, but he did make the second. A 124-member voting panel of writers and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada voted on players for the All NBA First, Second, and Third teams. The panel consisted of 37 national media members and three media members who regularly cover each of the league's 29 teams.
Rick Fox has stated that Kobe's trust has marked the turning point for the Lakers. "I've always said Kobe held the key," Fox said. "Kobe's coming back and being all things for everybody was the turning point." Recalling Kobe's 51-point game against Golden State on December 6, Fox said, "To go from that to the love we feel now. "I'll put it this way: As the game went along, it was the disgruntled employees making bigger and bigger picket signs."
But when Kobe returned to the lineup in April, things quickly changed. "The first quarter (against Phoenix, Kobe's first game back), I think I made four baskets, they were all from him," Fox recalled. "He had to learn how to trust me on the wing, he had to learn how to trust Derek."
"That was the turning point," Fox said. "He really, truly, was making the rest of us better."
- By: Amber
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| Issue 53/June 26, 2001 |
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"People in Philadelphia are tough," he added, "and they might boo you. But I think they respect you if you play as hard as you can."
Even before the Lakers clinched the NBA title the victory parade was planned for Monday, so after Game 5 those plans were finalized. Over 550,000 people flocked to downtown Los Angeles to cheer, witness, and party with their Lakers. Kobe, sporting a Jerry West jersey, was seen squirting his teammates with a water gun."We're going to get another one next year, again - back to back to back."
Yesterday it was announced that Kobe and his wife, Vanessa, are going to buy a new home that will cost $13.5 million. The house, located in a gated community in Orange County, consists of 9.5 acres and includes 10 bedroom suites, a theater, game room, a billiards room, two four-car garages, lagoon with a half-scale replica of a pirate ship, waterslides, man-made caves, and a lake stocked with fish and bumper boats.
One last note to update you on is that Kobe will be making an appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Thursday, June 28.
- By: Amber
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| Issue 54/July 26, 2001 |
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(a) Andre Agassi (tennis)
(b) Kobe Bryant (basketball)
(c) Jeff Gordon (NASCAR)
(d) Allen Iverson (basketball)
(e) Derek Jeter (baseball)
(f) Peyton Manning (football)
(g) Shaquille O'Neal (basketball)
(h) Tiger Woods (golf)
To vote for Kobe visit click here.
Kobe recently purchased a new house for $13.5 million in Coto de Coza, CA with 10 bedrooms, 13.5 bathrooms and 16,000 square feet. Other qualities include: a 2,000-square-foot guest house; a half-scale replica of a pirate ship; a lagoon with waterfalls; tropical gardens; a theater; a billiards room; and hand-painted ceilings. To view the house visit this link.
- By: Amber
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| Issue 55/August 20, 2001 |
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Kobe was recently in Beijing, where fans grew angry and hostile after waiting over 90 minutes to see him at the Millennium Monument. After the crowd started causing trouble, the event was immediately cancelled.
"Kobe Bryant was not allowed to come to the site by China police. He was blocked on the way," said an Adidas spokeswoman who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "The police said there were too many fans."
"I was informed that the conditions around the venue I was to appear at were unsafe for my fans," Kobe told cheering fans Sunday night at another appearance. "I so badly wanted to meet those fans that waited with such loyalty and patience."
Kobe, and wife Vanessa, have decided against buying a $13.5 million home in Orange County. Blaming "business issues and privacy concerns," a spokeswoman said.
And finally, watch the Teen Choice Awards tonight to find out if Kobe is a winner. He will also be making an award presentation later on this month on the The Source Awards.
- By: Amber
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| Issue 56/October 20, 2001 |
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Kobe is currently on the cover of GQ magazine. The story is "From Here to Infinity' Two world championships are just the beginning for Kobe Bryant," By Ralph Wiley.
Kobe will be featured on an upcoming episode of MTV's Diary. The date has yet to be released, so keeping watching for it. Diary airs on MTV at 10:30 p.m. on Thursdays.
- By: Amber
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| Issue 57/November 5, 2001 |
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Kobe asked Adidas to make him a shoe in red, white, and blue, "in order to show my patriotism and support for the relief efforts and our troops," read a statement from his agent.
Bryant said he also made a donation to the disaster-relief fund. "In this time of tragedy, I am proud to show my patriotism and hope others will continue to do so," he said.
He also wore a red, white and blue band on his right wrist that read, "God Bless America." He said he would sign and auction his flag shoes, with proceeds going to the families of the Sept. 11 victims. He also was considering breaking out the shoes, or ones like them, on Nov. 11, Veterans Day.
Kobe has been named one of GQ's Men of the Year. The magazine is now available.
- By: Amber
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| Issue 58/November 18, 2001 |
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Sun 11/18 6:30 PM
Mon 11/19 7:30 PM
Wed 11/21 9:00 PM
Sat 11/24 4:30 PM
Sat 11/24 7:00 PM
Sun 11/25 12:30 PM
Thu 11/29 3:00 PM
Last Sunday night in a game against Orlando Kobe ran off the court in the first quarter after getting his nose bloodied on a play involving Grant Hill and Patrick Ewing. He wasn't sure who hit him with a forearm. "I heard something crunch," Kobe said.
He returned late in the period with his left nostril plugged. After being examined doctors found that the nose was not broken.
"It hurts pretty bad," said Kobe that night, who broke his nose as a high school senior. "It feels similar, but hopefully it's not."
Sprite is currently running a promotion where fans can win prizes such as the keys to Kobe's gym locker. Among the other prizes are free 20-ounce bottles of Sprite, NBA apparel and cool merchandise. "I am excited to share my gear with the winners of this promotion and I look forward to hosting them at one of our games," said Bryant. "This Sprite promotion is a great way for fans to get excited about the upcoming season and win some cool stuff." For more information check out the following site, http://sprite.rocketcash.com/kobe/.
- By: Amber
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