KOBE-WAN-KENOBI: BRYANT'S NEW SPALDING SPOT HITS AIR

          Spalding's new TV spot starring its newest endorser,
     Lakers G Kobe Bryant, debuted this weekend during "NBA Inside
     Stuff" and NBC's "Showtime" pre-game show.  The ad, created
     by MA-based Winstanley & Assoc., is Bryant's first for
     Spalding.  The spot is scheduled to appear during the NBA
     playoffs on NBC, WNBA broadcasts and broadcasts of USA men's
     and women's basketball games this summer (Spalding).
          WHAT ARE YOU PLAYING? The 30-second ad shows Bryant
     dribbling a Spalding ball in front of a black background, and
     as he speaks the spot cuts quickly to several of his NBA
     highlights, specifically dunk shots.  Bryant: "People always
     ask me, 'Kobe, why'd you go pro so quickly?  Was it destiny? 
     Was it fame and fortune?  Why would a kid from Philly risk it
     all in L.A.?'  Do you really want to know?  I just wanted to
     play with this."  Bryant then holds the Spalding ball up to
     the camera.  After featuring the tagline, "Spalding.  The
     Official Ball Of The NBA," Bryant is shown again, and he
     asks, "What are you playing?" (THE DAILY).