It's true Kobe's being crucified almost on a daily basis in the media these days. With all the controversy around him, Kobe is being shunned by companies as an athlete/celebrity endorser. Nike, for one, after signing Kobe to a $40+ million contract is putting him on the back burner. But y'all know what? Kobe's name is being used as a brand name for a basketball shoe in (of all places) China. When I went to China last November, I was surprised by a billboard advertising "Kobe KB8" shoes. No, it didn't have Kobe's likeness on it, instead it featured a black male model playing ball. Nevertheless, it's undeniable that the brand is riding on Kobe's name recognition and reputation as an NBA superstar. Surely "KB8" means you know who. No mistaking the brand to be from that Japanese city. So, Kobe, don't fret. Have your business agent talk to companies in China, the land of one billion potential buyers. And have your attorney see if you can't get some coin from that company that's cashing in on your name. Maybe I can get a finder's fee. LOL
^Yeah, I heard about this. Does this mean that Kobe Bryant still has a good reputation in China? Also, does anyone know what those shoes look like?
Apparently, Kobe still has his rep intact in China. Most Chinese fans, I dare say, remember him from the Laker championships, and are not that exposed to his rape trial. By the way, all media over there is state-controlled and they don't focus much on things like celebrity legal troubles. The brand of the shoe itself, written in Chinese, is exactly how Kobe's name is transcribed in the Chinese media. Sorry, Cody 7k, but I was on a passing bus when I saw the billboard. Didn't get to see what the shoe looked like.
Exactly what would happen if people would get off his back about his personal life, but we all know that's never going to cease, because it makes people money, and it's a hot topic for BSPN. Kobe just needs to take his money, break away from Nike in North America and just come out with his own shoe and name brand. Let McDonald's market Justin Timberlake or something...let Sprite ride LeBron...whatever.
If the media can forgive Ray Lewis of the NFL, I'm sure they can forgive Kobe Bryant who's boasted a squeaky clean image up until this point. Until than, Kobe needs to get his Lakers to start winning ball games or more negative attention will be brought towards him. Deserved or Not...
did you all know kobe leads the league in triple doubles. I believe once something els big happens kobe will be able to come up again as the superstar that he is unless the next big thing involves kobe.
^He is also tied in first place in scoring, and averaging close to seven rebounds and assist per game. I don't think it will be that easy... lets just give it three to four years then by then hopefully people will have pretty much forgot about it. His image will be restored by the end of his career, no doubt.
wow thats really good...are there any other Guards that average 7 rebounds...and are there any other SGs that average 7 assists per game ???
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AFL Warriors:</div><div class="quote_post">^^Lebron and Lebron, i'm pretty sure.</div> Lebron Stats: 24 ppg, 7 rebounds, 7 assits, 2.3 spg, .8 bpg - 6-8/240 Small Foward Kobe Stats: 28ppg, 7 rebounds, 7 assists 1.3 spg, 1 bpg - 6-6/230 Shooting Guard They average about the same stats cept Kobe gets 4 more points a game. West >>>>> East in everything. Lebron is a great player, don't take anything away from him, he is a true superstar and deserves to be held in the same recognition as Kobe Bryant, but Bryant is just in my opinon better.
Oh, yeah i don't think Lebron is quite as good as Kobe yet, i wasn't even really comparing them that much as players, and i for sure wasn't trying to get a Lebron Vs. Kobe argument started or anything. The poster above me just said do any other guards average 7 and 7 for rebounds and assists, and so i just said lebron, because he was the only onei could of for both, or either thing he said. 7 assists for a Sg and 7 boards for a guard, but for Lebron its not too surprising to get 7, because hes huge and has hops beyond belief. Well i just wanted to clear up anything about me comparing kobe and lebron.
What you neglected to mention is that Kobe is shooting 40% on the season and Lebron is near 50%. I like Kobe, but he needs to be more judicious about his offense. Umm. . . With regard to Kobe's marketability, I don't understand why fans care about it anyway? Is it that when an athlete picks up big contracts from megacorporations to sell Big Macs, Sprite and overpriced basketball shoes to mindless consumers, it somehow validates our devotion to them? And why do consumers care who sells them this stuff anyway? If anyone is going to sell a product to my kids that puts them at risk for becoming obese, diabetic or developing a fetish for material goods, I want them to have a clean-cut image!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting sartre2025:</div><div class="quote_post">What you neglected to mention is that Kobe is shooting 40% on the season and Lebron is near 50%. I like Kobe, but he needs to be more judicious about his offense. Umm. . . With regard to Kobe's marketability, I don't understand why fans care about it anyway? Is it that when an athlete picks up big contracts from megacorporations to sell Big Macs, Sprite and overpriced basketball shoes to mindless consumers, it somehow validates our devotion to them? And why do consumers care who sells them this stuff anyway? If anyone is going to sell a product to my kids that puts them at risk for becoming obese, diabetic or developing a fetish for material goods, I want them to have a clean-cut image!</div> Good point. OT: Diabetes is a b****.
