There are talks about a "basketball tour to China this summer" in which Lakers G Kobe Bryant "would be the headliner with several other NBA stars forming two or three barnstorming teams," according to Baxter Holmes of the L.A. TIMES. T'Wolves rookie F Derrick Williams said that Bryant and Rob Pelinka, who reps both players, are "trying to put together the tour." If the tour happens, the games are "likely to take place at the state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai." Bryant signed a three-year deal with Mercedes-Benz in February to "become the brand ambassador for Smart micro cars in China and he has already been featured in a TV commercial for the car." Holmes noted one "interesting name on the potential list of NBA players on the tour" is Lakers G Derek Fisher, another Pelinka client who also is President of the NBPA. If Fisher "took part in an overseas tour, it could be seen as a slap in the face to the NBA" (L.A. TIMES, 7/2). In N.Y., Frank Isola reported Knicks F Amar'e Stoudemire "would consider joining Kobe Bryant's barnstorming tour through China if the NBA lockout extends into the regular season." A source said that Stoudemire "would only play if he can be insured in case of injury" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/3). Meanwhile, SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's John Lombardo reported Wasserman Media Group is "proposing a basketball exhibition tournament in China as the agency explores moneymaking options for its players should there be an extended lockout." WMG in April "began floating a plan to bring 15 to 20 of its NBA clients to China for a two- or three-week tournament if there is a work stoppage." The agency represents 45 NBA players (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 6/27 issue).
WHERE'S MY PASSPORT? The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Miguel Gonzalez Jr. noted with "such an acrimonious split and grim prospects for a quick resolution, a number of players are examining other options if NBA arenas remain dark." Lakers F Pau Gasol has said that he would "prefer to return to his native Spain to play ball if the season is canceled but said China was a possible alternative" (WSJ.com, 7/4). USA TODAY's J. Michael Falgoust noted free agent Cs Nenad Krstic and Hilton Armstrong "will play in Europe next season, as will undrafted guard Ben Hansbrough," the '11 Big East player of the year from Notre Dame (USA TODAY, 7/5). Conversely, ESPN DALLAS' Jeff Caplan reported Mavericks G Rudy Fernandez "will pass on becoming the highest-paid player in the Spanish ACB, the strongest of the European leagues, to remain in the NBA -- at least for now." A report on the Spanish sports website Marca.com indicated that Fernandez "has decided not to accept a six-year, $26 million contract offer with Real Madrid, meaning he will not return to his home country this season, regardless of how long the NBA lockout lasts" (ESPNDALLAS.com, 7/5). In West Palm Beach, Ethan Skolnick wrote, "If anything, the overseas option may cut into the available pool of free agents, a shallow enough pool as it is" (PALMBEACHPOST.com, 7/5). Sources said that Krstic and Armstrong heading to Europe, among others, is "far from a harbinger of an impending migration to the Euroleague." One source said, “There’s limited opportunities in Europe. It’s going to be difficult for a lot of NBA players to find jobs in the price range they’ll want to be paid. ... It’s not going to be a mass exodus" (TORONTO STAR, 7/6).
BLAST FROM THE PAST: In N.Y., Marc Berman reported the NBA is "clinging to its past during this labor unrest to the point of potentially creating a conflict between the current players and the old-timers." NBA Commissioner David Stern last week said that "members of the 'NBA Legends' group will go to Africa in July for the annual 'Basketball without Borders' event instead of the current players." In recent weeks, the Knicks "have promoted their summer kids basketball camps in Pleasantville, Manhattan and East Hampton by naming alumni such as Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe and Willis Reed as possible guests." Active Knicks players usually appear at the camps (N.Y. POST, 7/2).
