Where's that damn passport?

If you don't follow NBA basketball, some observers think a new trend is developing.

This summer about a dozen NBA players have opted to play in European leagues instead of the NBA, the gold standard of professional leagues. None of these players is a marquee player in the NBA. Hell, I doubt the casual fan has even heard of any of them, so I won't even mention them.

With the U.S. basketball team (made up of NBA stars) being abroad for the Olympics, they've been asked whether they could ever see themselves spurning the NBA if the grass was greener across the pond.

Kobe Bryant might... for $40M or $50M per season.

For the upcoming 2008-2009 year, Kobe will make $21.3M. So that's about 2.5 times what Kobe makes and the (hypothetical) move is sure to upset Lakers diehards, but what would you do if someone offered you more money to do your same job in a less competitive setting?

I know, you won't catch Kobe on street corners with "Will dunk for food" signs, but isn't it his (or any pro athlete's) obligation to cash in on his talents while they are still useable and, more importantly, BANKABLE?

Don't be mad at Kobe for answering what reporters asked him.

After all, LeBron started this whole mess about a week ago...

I don't forsee it happening, but who thought a 7'6" Asian guy would be one of the most popular players in America?