And You Thought Shoaib Was A Prima Donna

An exchange from an interview by ESPN's Kenny Mayne with NBA star Kobe Bryant:

Kenny Mayne: If you could play any other sport professionally, what would it be?

 Kobe Bryant: Cricket.

 KM: Truly?

 KB: No. But I enjoy playing soccer. Growing up in Italy, it's something you have to do. It's your religion over there.

 KM: You'd look good in the cricket whites.

 KB: Think so? It might be a little weird. I'd be the tallest guy out there, by far.

Hasn't Kobe ever heard of Curtly Ambrose? Or Joel Garner? Or (nowadays) Stuart Broad? (Well, he probably hasn't, since he's a busy basketball player who seems about as insulated from the outside world as Michael Jackson's creepy little blonde children.)

It did get me thinking, however, about the idea of Kobe Bryant in the cricket field. I suppose, being 6' 6" and all, he would be encouraged to exploit his height and bowl a lot of searing short-pitched deliveries. But anyone who has seen Kobe Bryant on the basketball court would understand how discordant and out of character that image seems. On the court, the guy is nothing but fluid, graceful, and athletic. As hard as I may try, I just can't picture him charging in and hurling a succession of Harmison-like bouncers for hours at a time. It almost seems beneath him. And if there's one athlete who's unwilling to do anything even slightly beneath his standing, it's Kobe Bryant.

Comments

[leftyJ]

A fascinating concept, NBA players as cricketers. That'd make a great post...

[D.S. Henry]

Don't worry... it's coming.