This month saw the launch of a new shoe line by Kobe Bryant which were inspired by none other than MJ- Michael Jackson that is! And while he surely wants to sell his shoes, Bryant is taking a break from normal life right now while he enjoys the World Cup. Travelling to Brazil to watch for the second time in person, he put in appearances at three matches so far. How did he respond to the US Team's coach Jurgen Klinnsman, who recently insulted Bryant over his new contract? KB just laughed it off.
The new Nike "Michael Jackson" Kobe 9 Elite Low, which will be available worldwide July 12, are a tribute to the King of Pop; the soles depict the lunar surface to facilitate "moonwalking". Bryant spoke at Jackson's 2009 memorial about the impact MJ had on him (via MJworld.net):
"He helped me get to a level where I was able to win three titles playing with Shaq because of my preparation, my study. And it's only all grown. That's the mentality that I have - it's not an athletic one. It's not from [Michael] Jordan. It's not from other athletes. It's from Michael Jackson."
Despite his prowess and legacy as one of basketball's all-time greats Kobe is admittedly a bigger soccer fan. He even calls it football like everyone else in the world does. He says the sheer magnitude of the World Cup makes it more exciting (New York Daily News):
"It's the NBA Finals times 10 because you're putting it on a global stage. You're seeing people from different cultural backgrounds, speaking different languages, coming together through the sport of soccer."
So what did he think of US coach Jurgen Klinnsman's recent comments that it doesn't make sense to reward players for past accomplishments? Well he didn't mind so much (via NBC Sports):
"I thought it was pretty funny. I thought it was pretty comical actually. I see his perspective. But the one perspective that he's missing from an ownership point of view is that you want to be part of an ownership group that is rewarding its players for what they've done while balancing the team going forward."
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