Kobe takes center stage, says he wants to visit Philippines

TORONTO – Kobe Bryant answered questions in Spanish and Italian, raved about Canadian hospitality, showed off knowledge of both Greek basketball and English soccer. He announced plans to go to the Philippines and Taiwan, thanked fans from Japan and even asked a reporter how to say a phrase in Mandarin.

It all made perfect sense.

The basketball world belongs to Bryant, at least for one more weekend.

About 750 million people around the globe are expected to follow Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game in one form or another, and it’s a safe guess most will do so to keep a keen eye on Bryant’s final appearance in the league’s midseason showcase. His farewell season now officially starting to wind down, the Los Angeles Lakers’ star was the center of attraction at media day Friday – and seemed most appreciative.

“I just feel very blessed to be able to play so many years, man,” Bryant said. “Twenty years is a long time, so I feel very good about it.”

The Lakers star also signified his intention to revisit the Philippines, which he once referred to as “like home away from home.”

Bryant, who is a friend to Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, has been more than impressed with the Filipinos passion for basketball, prompting him to say: “I love being around it.” He had also fell in love with the Filipino “lumpia.”

Back in Toronto, Bryant was the leading vote-getter in the fan balloting that chose the starting lineup for Sunday’s game, a lifetime achievement award more than anything related to his play this season. At 37 years old, he’s obviously not the same player he was when he was helping the Lakers win five championships, though during the season he’s shown flashes of what made him one of the game’s all-time elite.

Bryant said he’d be fine playing 10 minutes Sunday.

Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant isn’t buying that one.

“We definitely want to send him off on a good note,” Durant said. “We know he’s going to be super competitive.” (With AP reports)