<br>
In spite of Bryant's problems, he's still a role model to James
<br>
<br>
LOS ANGELES - Kobe Bryant's major sponsors aren't marketing him. His replica jersey sales have fallen almost off the map. His personal and professional life has been dragged through the mud in a seemingly endless stream of scandal.
<br>
<br>
Yet the man some see as Bryant's NBA replacement still looks up to him.
<br>
<br>
``I think everybody deserves a second chance; that's something I've personally given him,'' LeBron James said of Bryant as the two prepare to face off tonight at Staples Center in a nationally televised game.
<br>
<br>
``He's still a role model to me. I respect the man. I respect the way he plays, his determination. He's always going to be a role model.''
<br>
<br>
Over the last two years, Bryant has been through a well-chronicled series of embarrassments. First, there were the rape charges brought by a Colorado woman, a process given O.J. Simpson-like coverage. There was his high-profile divorce from teammate Shaquille O'Neal, as the Lakers shipped out their signature star to ensure Bryant would re-sign with them when he became a free agent last summer.
<br>
<br>
Since then, there's been heated banter between the former teammates and three-time champions, along with a soap opera with former teammate Karl Malone and a supposed pass made at Bryant's wife.
<br>
<br>
``That isn't an issue to me,'' James said. ``I respect the way he approaches the game.''
<br>
<br>
James' respect for Bryant jibes with the way he treats all his peers. Should the cookie ever crumble, though, James might come down on the side of O'Neal, whom he's been close with since his high school days at St. Vincent-St. Mary.
<br>
<br>
Then again, Bryant's fall in the public eye has been good business for the NBA's biggest up-and-comer.
<br>
<br>
Since turning professional, James has replaced Bryant as the top endorser for Sprite, and his $90 million Nike contract is reportedly around double what Bryant got after paying $8 million to get out of his deal with adidas. In the wake of the scandals, Nike has been reluctant to market Bryant or a signature shoe, while James has become the athletic apparel giant's marquee endorser alongside Tiger Woods.
<br>
<br>
James first met Bryant in 2001 after his sophomore year of high school at the adidas-sponsored ABCD Camp in Hackensack, N.J., where Bryant came to speak to the group of top prep players. That winter, he was a guest of Bryant at the All-Star Game in Philadelphia and wore a pair of red, white and blue adidas shoes Bryant had given him at a high school tournament game in New Jersey.
<br>
<br>
The two haven't run in the same circles much of late, even though they are often linked for comparison purposes because both have similar games and both jumped to the NBA right out of high school. During his second season in 1997-98, Bryant averaged 15.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Thus far, James is averaging 24.4 points, 7.2 assists and 6.9 rebounds in his second season.
<br>
<br>
But even Bryant said it is hard to compare their games at this point.
<br>
<br>
``We're completely different. He's a passer first; I was always a scorer first,'' Bryant said of James. ``People compare our athleticism, but as far as our game goes, it's different. I love his game. I like watching him.''
<br>
<br>
James still has a way to go. Though the statistics show they are close now -- Bryant is averaging 28.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists this season -- Bryant has three title rings.
<br>
<br>
No endorsement dollars, jersey sales or commercial airtime can trump that, which is why James continues to pay respect.
<br>
<br>
``Kobe's helped them win a lot of games; it's as simple as that,'' James said. ``He's making other players on his team better, and that's his job.''
<br>
<br>
<br>
자유게시판에 올릴까 하다가 또 이상한 소리 나올까봐 팸 게시판에 올립니다. 르브론 코비를 디게 좋아하나 봐요. 이 밖에 다른 인터뷰를 통해서도 알수 있을정도로...
<!-- -->
르브론 언론 플레이을 정말 잘 해네염..어린 나이에..코비에게 좋은 소리을 하는것은 좋은데 그 다음에 모든 것이 코비한테 보다는 르브론 자신한테 돌아가는거 같아 별로 좋게는 안보인다는 ㅜ.ㅜ 어제까지는 좋았는데 ,,,또 오널 보니깐 르브론의 칭찬글들이 넘쳐나는거 같아 별로...
첫댓글 아~~ 번역을 할까 하다가 포기했습니다. 그냥 쉬운 인터뷰 내용만 보시면 될듯하네요. 그리 해석이 어렵지 않죠...
그리 어려운 단어는 많이 없군요...^^;; 르브론...기특한 녀석같으니....
그간 인터뷰로 보아.. 진심이 담겨있는거 같네요.
르브론...그래 그래야지.당연한거야.아직 넌 코비따라올려면 멀었어.ㅋㅋ
르브론.. 미워할수 없는 놈이라니깐..ㅋㅋㅋ
코비도 내 롤모델인데^^ㅋㅋ
레이커스 팸에 잇더라도 르브론의 소식은 꼭 챙겨보는데.. 르브론은 어린나이에 기자들과의 컨트롤도 잘하는거 같고 참 기특한거 같아요..ㅋ
역시 르브론 ㅋㅋ 코비담으로 좋아하는 선수
르브론 언론 플레이을 정말 잘 해네염..어린 나이에..코비에게 좋은 소리을 하는것은 좋은데 그 다음에 모든 것이 코비한테 보다는 르브론 자신한테 돌아가는거 같아 별로 좋게는 안보인다는 ㅜ.ㅜ 어제까지는 좋았는데 ,,,또 오널 보니깐 르브론의 칭찬글들이 넘쳐나는거 같아 별로...
저도 그런점때문에 르브론을 싫어한다는...-_-;
인정하긴 싫지만 르브론은 코비가 갖고 있지 않은 점까지 갖고 있는것 같아 상당히 질투남 ㅡㅡ