http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news/ap/20010812/ap-lakers-bryant-china.html Enthusiasm, anger for NBA's Kobe Bryant in Beijing By TED ANTHONY Associated Press Writer August 12, 2001 BEIJING (AP) -- Traffic and surging crowds prevented Kobe Bryant from showing up for a promotional appearance in China's capital city. Fans who had been waiting hours in blistering temperatures grew agitated when the Los Angeles Lakers guard was more than 1 1/2 hours late to arrive at the Millennium Monument in western Beijing. Some hurled bottles, pushed at barricades and criticized Adidas, the sponsor. Police dragged off one offender by his hair and quickly dispersed the crowd of about 1,500, though it wasn't immediately clear if anyone was detained. Beijing police would confirm no arrests, and Adidas said it knew of none. The disturbance caused so much congestion that authorities barred Bryant's car from entering, Adidas representatives said. ``I was informed that the conditions around the venue I was to appear at were unsafe for my fans,'' Bryant told cheering fans Sunday night at another appearance. ``I so badly wanted to meet those fans that waited with such loyalty and patience.'' Earlier, at a news conference, Bryant rhapsodized about playing hoops at the Great Wall. ``It's an experience that's very difficult to capture in words,'' he said. The 22-year-old Bryant, whom Chinese fans call ``ke bi,'' also joined kids Saturday at a basketball clinic near the Great Wall, north of Beijing. He was especially impressed with one young man who did a reverse dunk with a T-shirt pulled over his head. ``I loved watching them play. They were having so much fun,'' he said. ``They had some pretty good hops. They were jumping pretty well.''
Monikery, that's pretty punny. Is it October 31st already? Call it mockery, call it what you will....it will continue until Oct. 31st by your own declaration of that as the final date. Oh, and I think I'll be ok if I am "ignored." Who moved my cheese?
Let me see...I recall saying we could wait until openning day on Griffin, because technically Griffin could get traded or Rudy could call him a power forward in public. Ummmmm, technically Rice cannot be traded until Dec 15th. So Rudy no doubt traded for a starting SF this Summer. Uhhh, I thought that was the bet....isn't it over now? only a weasle would wait past a blockbuster trade that proved them wrong for some date that holds no importance anymore. uncool
You are not doing a very good job of ignoring me. Comical. Apparently the trade may be up in the air anyway. More fuel for me to be "uncool" for as long as I can.
