Kobe Bryant getting closer to Italy Deal
Kobe Bryant is apparently very close to signing a deal with the Italian club Virtus Bologna, which would pay him $3 million for a 10-game contract. The deal hinges on other clubs changing their schedules to give Bologna five home games during Bryant’s 10-game contract. Bologna also wants its opening five away games played in Italy’s biggest arenas to give more exposure to Bryant. Some clubs were hesitant in rearranging their schedules, but Virtus officials are confident that those kinks will be worked out. Bryant, who lived in Italy from ages 6 to 13 while his father played professionally there and who still speaks fluent Italian, said it would be a “dream” for him to play there during the NBA lockout. If Bryant were to sign a contract, he would not only be the biggest star to play overseas during the lockout, but he could potentially create a domino effect of the leagues’ biggest stars going elsewhere to play, and could influence players like Dwight Howard and Kevin Durant to sign contracts in other countries.
Rangers eliminate Rays, win ALDS
The Texas Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 on Tuesday, advancing to their second straight ALCS. Ironically, the Rangers beat the Rays in the 2010 ALDS in five games. Adrian Beltre became the seventh player in MLB history to hit three home runs in a playoff game, joining players like Reggie Jackson and Babe Ruth, who did it twice. Neftali Feliz picked up his third save of the series to help propel the defending American League Champions back to the ALCS. The Rays made a remarkable run to capture the American League Wild Card in the last month of the season after the collapse of the Boston Red Sox, but after winning game one in a decisive 9-0 fashion, the Rays lost the next three games by four runs total. The Rangers will look to make their second consecutive trip to the World Series, where they lost last year to the San Francisco Giants four games to one. They will play the winner of the Tigers/Yankees series.
Lions stun Cowboys with rally
After leading 20-3 at halftime, it looked like the Dallas Cowboys were going to extend their record of defeating the Detroit Lions five of their past six meetings. Tony Romo then started the third quarter by throwing back to back interceptions for touchdowns on two consecutive drives, starting Detroit’s rally to defeat Dallas 34-30. The Cowboys made history on Sunday for all the wrong reasons, becoming the first team in franchise history to lose a game after leading by as many as 24 points at one time. America’s team will head into their week five bye with a 2-2 record before heading to Foxboro on October 16th to take on the New England Patriots.
Start of NBA season in jeopardy
The NBA has already canceled the preseason and will cancel the first two weeks of the regular season if there is no deal by Monday, according to league reports. Commissioner David Stern made the announcement after players and coaches met for about four hours Tuesday but could not come closer to reaching a deal. The owners and players have been locked out since July 1, and have not made much progress in having an upcoming season. Stern said that the league is about to take a $200 million hit from missing the preseason. It’s only a wonder how much they’ll lose if an NBA season does not happen.
