BEIJING // There is a story about Kobe Bryant flying into China in a private jet and being unable to get off the plane for fear of being crushed by fans. Bryant's visit had triggered airport chaos, but there was another reason he was stuck on the tarmac - a "very important" member of the Chinese government wanted his autograph. "Yeah, I remember," Bryant said. The NBA's most valuable player is arguably the most popular non-Chinese athlete at the Games in a country where basketball is the second-most followed sport after football.
Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt will go home with more gold around their neck but Bryant's fame in China runs deeper than the Beijing Olympics. "I don't really know how to explain it to be honest with you," said Bryant. "I think it's my fifth time in China. I've been popular here since 1999, but this summer - I didn't know I was this big." Bryant's No 24 Lakers jersey is the biggest-selling in China, more popular even than Yao Ming's China or Houston Rockets jerseys.
Only when Yao's name is announced before tip-off do the roars match those for Bryant, who led the US into the Olympic semi-finals with 25 points in a 116-85 win over Australia. Bryant is estimated to be the richest athlete at the Olympics, raking in tens of millions through endorsements on top of his seven-year US$136 million (Dh500m) contract with the Lakers. Chinese cheering Americans would of course have been unthinkable not long ago, but fans in Beijing have been infatuated with NBA razzle-dazzle.
Bryant remains the hot fan favourite, constantly serenaded with chants of "Kobe, Kobe". "I throw them a wave. One of those little princess waves," he said, wafting his hand regally. * Reuters
