Kobe Bryant will play in @thebig3 next season according to Big 3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz while speaking on the league's weekly conference call. #KobeBryant #big3playoffs pic.twitter.com/uJsswdAFiD
— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) August 21, 2018
Brandon Robinson reported that Kobe would be playing in The BIG3 next season. He isn’t saying anything inaccurate in the tweet above, but some context is needed.
Kobe has not signed with the BIG3, but here is what exactly was said on that conference call.
- Question: Jon Weatherspoon, NBA Panel – “With the growth of players coming into the league, like Nate Robinson made a big impact, do you expect to see Kobe Bryant maybe coming over [to the BIG3]?”
- Ice Cube, Co-Founder & Co-CEO: “We have a list of people that we would love to see, I think the fans would love to see. The fans would love to see Kobe, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce. Anybody who still has the passion to play. We don’t want you if you don’t have the passion to play. If Kobe doesn’t have the passion to play at this level, then it’s better for him to watch on tv. If he has the passion, then here we are.”
- Jeff Kwatinetz, Co-Founder & Co-CEO: “I did hear from a credible source that Kobe is going to be playing next year. That’s something, but it may be nothing.”
- Ice Cube, Co-Founder & Co-CEO: “That would be amazing.”
That is the exact quote, who the “credible source” is we don’t know and he also says it could be nothing. Ice Cube seemed to be surprised by the quote and added it would be amazing.
So, for the record Kobe at the moment isn’t joining the Big3 and I wouldn’t get my hopes up. In fact, his marketing agent just confirmed it is 100% not true.
You can listen to full interview below.