Kobe Bryant to the Olympics?

ReveiwJournal.com: When he was starring as a prep all-American at Lower Merion High School outside Philadelphia, Kobe Bryant considered playing basketball for Mike Krzyzewski.

But that never happened. Bryant bypassed college, electing go to straight to the NBA rather than attend Duke. A year ago, Krzyzewski was approached by the Los Angeles Lakers to replace Phil Jackson and become Bryant’s coach. But that didn’t happen either, as Krzyzewski decided to stay at Duke.

Just when Bryant thought he and Coach K would never be on the same side, along came Wednesday’s announcement by USA Basketball naming Krzyzewski head coach of 2008 U.S. Olympic team. Assuming the Americans qualify for Beijing, look for Bryant to be on the floor as one of Krzyzewski’s main men.

“I was excited when I heard the news,” Bryant said Friday before scoring 24 points in the Lakers’ 105-103 NBA preseason win over the Sacramento Kings in front of a raucous crowd of 14,759 at the Thomas & Mack Center. “Ever since high school, I wanted to play for him. I’m looking forward to it.”

When asked if that meant Bryant was committing himself for the long haul, which means the FIBA World Championships in Japan next August or the Olympic qualifying tournament in 2007, he said, “Absolutely. I’m ready to do whatever they want. If I’m called to duty, I’m going to do it.”

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