Could Kobe Realistically Play Overseas?

Kobe Bryant realistically could spend the duration of the lockout playing in Bologna, but should he? By Braedan Ritter 

Flickr/Keith Allison

Kobe Bryant may be going to a familiar place if the lockout continues for an extended period. Bryant was offered a one-season contract to play for Virtus Bologna, according to the Associated Press. The deal is reportedly worth $6.7 million.

This is an interesting offer for Kobe, more interesting than it may be for many other NBA stars. That’s because Bryant grew up in Italy while his father was playing professional basketball there.

Massimo Faraoni, Virtus Bologna’s general manager, told the AP, “I think the fact that he’s lived in Italy makes this appealing to him.”

This thought process didn’t work for Dan Gilbert and LeBron James in Cleveland, but then again Kobe has the RINGZZ!!

The offer is extremely flexible for Kobe. Most importantly it contains an NBA out; allowing Kobe to return to the NBA if the lockout ends. Virtus Bologna gave Bryant contract options of one-year, two-months, one-month, or a per-game basis. It is basically a buffet of options for one of the greatest basketball players ever.

One of the reasons people are hesitant to go overseas is the culture shock, but for Bryant there wouldn’t be one. He knows the language, knows the culture, and would still be able to play the sport he loves (whether that be basketball or soccer).

But should he play? Bryant has been in the league since 1996. The 15-year veteran has played more than 40,000 regular season minutes. He gets his knee drained more than Ron Artest— er, Metta World Peace– does something crazy.

Kobe has every right to go, but it might not be the best idea as he is entering, or playing in, the twilight of his career.

It seems as though he may do more damage by playing overseas. It never hurts to rest your body a little. He is surely working on his game, so the true question is does he miss actual games, or Italy, enough to make this decision?

Kobe seems to always make smart decisions (except in that Colorado hotel room—that was a bad idea). With training camps recently getting postponed, perhaps he will see this as his only chance for a season. He may want to take the sure job, because sadly, this NBA season may never happen.