Taiwan Today

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant is set to arrive in Taiwan July 23 on the third stop of his Asian tour to talk with fans about the NBA Championship title that he earned this season. The visit will mark Bryant’s third to the island in less than four years. Bryant is scheduled to hold a news conference shortly after his private jet arrives in the afternoon before heading to the National Taiwan University Sports Center to meet with fans and player representatives of the Nike Summer League. The Lakers guard first visited Taiwan in September 2006 as part of his “81 Asia Summer Tour,” named after his all-time NBA second-highest 81-point performance in a regular season game of that same year. Many players from Taiwan’s top-tier professional Super Basketball League took time out of their schedules for the chance to meet with their visiting hero. Bryant visited the island again in 2007. Bryant’s latest return to Taiwan comes on the heels of his 4th NBA title and perhaps his most significant one. It marked his first championship ring earned since star center Shaquille O’Neal left the Lakers in 2004. During Los Angeles’ run of three straight titles between 2000-2002, Bryant was overshadowed by Shaq’s Most Valuable Player performances and viewed by most L.A. fans as playing second fiddle in the franchise’s success. The Lakers’ crowning as champions this summer and Bryant’s naming as NBA Finals MVP proved once and for all that he possessed the leadership qualities necessary to take his team all the way on his own. According to organizers of his latest visit to Taiwan, Kobe will work with young basketball players with the aim of instilling in them a better sense of the dedication and hard work that it takes to be a champion. Although an itinerary has been laid out, Bryant may not stick to the schedule and could improvise along the way as he did during previous visits to the island. (SB)