Kobe Shows Lighter Side In Ads In Effort To Reveal True Self

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Lakers G Kobe Bryant is trying to "show a lighter side in numerous commercial spots," according to Mike Bresnahan of the L.A. TIMES. Bryant in the past year has been seen "sliding around in shorts while lip-synching Bob Seger songs" for Activision's "Guitar Hero World Tour" and "jumping over speeding Aston Martins" in a Nike viral video. Bryant: "A lot of things that people read about me is a bunch of (nonsense). What we've done from a marketing standpoint is let people see who I am as a person for real and then make their judgments from that point going forward. From that standpoint, I think we've done a good job of making sure people see that and if they choose to come around or not, that's kind of up to them." Bryant added that he has "sensed an uptick in his popularity." Bryant: "People were saying we'd never be able to get to that place again -- guys with these Harvard marketing degrees. What we decided to do was prove them wrong." Bryant "shrugged when asked if the perceived boost had anything to do with his on-court play," including his MVP win last season (L.A. TIMES, 3/1).

WADE AID: ESPN's Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser yesterday discussed the NBA banning Heat G Dwyane Wade from wearing bandages bearing slogans. Wilbon noted the bandages are a “method of self-expression.” Wilbon: “Tattoos are self-expression. Wade has none of those, so what’s wrong with the Band-Wade?” Kornheiser: “Here’s the solution: tattoo ‘Wade’ under your eye. There are uniform rules for a reason. If you have Band-Aids, no matter what you put on it -- your name or a flag or a message or a phone number -- that’s fine while you’re waiting for a cut to heal.” Wilbon responded, “Wade should just say my eye is hurt forever, I’m wearing it. Sue me” (“PTI,” ESPN, 3/2).