Image: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kobe_Bryant_Washington_Full.jpg

BY NICK ADAMS

You’ve heard the rumors: Kobe Bryant taking his talents to... Italy? A reported deal covered by ESPN says Bryant is more than likely going to play in the boot this season.  

“The latest news on Kobe Bryant as NBA officials and the players union meet for weekend negotiations. An Italian club Virtus Bologna announces it has a deal 95% done with Kobe Bryant. So long as the lockout continues Bryant will play in Italy and be paid $3 million for the first 40 days.”

ESPN is not the only one in that camp.  The New York Daily News also reports Bryant will go to Italy barring any major changes to the NBA lockout.

“Sources close to the Lakers' superstar say that Bryant will head overseas to play for Virtus Bologna next week if owners and players can't reach a deal over the weekend.”

So 95% done and sources close to Kobe say he’ll leave. That sounds like a pretty sure bet Kobe’s on his way to becoming an Italian Star.  But not so fast.  Kurt Helin with NBC Sports’ ProBasketballTalk reports Virtus Bologna still doesn’t have the money to pay Bryant and is reporting this deal pre-maturely.  

“Virtus Bologna’s owner Claudio Sabatini (Claud-ee-o) (Sab-a-tee-nee)  is notorious for announcing deals that do not come to fruition.”

Another major factor that could block Kobe from signing with the Italian Club is the scheduling conflict Italy is facing.  Virtus Bologna wanted to schedule as many televised games in the biggest arenas in the first month to showcase Bryant.  The rest of the Italian League blocked that idea which now has the Orange County Register reporting...

“The deal — that reportedly was ‘95 percent’ to being finalized — is now in jeopardy.”

Can we really say this is surprising? After all weren’t we led to believe Kobe was supposed to play in Turkey? Matt Moore with CBS Sports says it best.

“This exact scenario played out through August with Turkish team Besiktas (BASE-SEEK-TAS). Eventually talks stopped completely with Besiktas(BASE-SEEK-TAS), almost immediately after Besiktas spread word they had an agreement with Bryant.”

So basically -- the only thing we know is -- we don’t know. Until his signature is on that dotted line, nothing is final.

(SOC)