WSOP invites Kobe Bryant to play in Jerry Buss' place

[Dan Druff]

On the surface, it seems like a kind, tender gesture by the WSOP.

Dr. Jerry Buss, beloved Lakers owner and poker enthusiast, passed away this year in February.

The WSOP invited Lakers star Kobe Bryant to play the WSOP Main Event, in Jerry's place. It was not clear if they were offering to comp his buyin. I actually hope they weren't, because it would annoy me that a basketball player making $20 million per year gets a comped buyin while I have to pay my own $10k.

Anyway, Kobe declined, supposedly because he will be recovering from surgery. I think the real reason is that Kobe just doesn't enjoy poker, knows he isn't good at it, and wouldn't want the media spotlight on his poor play.

Here is an article about it: http://www.lakersnation.com/lakers-n...ss/2013/06/11/

I actually believe this is a self-serving move by the WSOP.

Wait... what?!

Self-serving?

How could such a kind gesture honoring Dr. Buss be self-serving?

Well, let's say Kobe had accepted.

Can you imagine the publicity that the WSOP would get? Not only would this bring good will, but they would also probably get additional entrants who are hoping to play poker with a current NBA superstar.

And how would Buss benefit from this? The simple answer is that he wouldn't, other than perhaps people talking about him again and remembering what a great guy he was. (And, for the record, I think Jerry Buss was a great NBA owner, a brilliant entrepreneur, and a good person.) But it wouldn't really do very much for him otherwise. It's not like the WSOP would donate money to his favorite charity if Kobe agreed to play, and it's not like Kobe would have much of a chance of cashing (thus removing any benefit of the winnings going to charity).

Anyway, gotta give credit to the WSOP for this clever publicity stunt. If this was Seth Palansky's idea, he's earning his keep these days. They still came out looking good, even with Kobe declining.

[BeerAndPoker]

Invite another legend from the past Lakers to play? Hell, invite Phil Jackson for all I care but regardless it don't matter people in poker will always remember Jerry Buss.

[ftpjesus]

Invite another legend from the past Lakers to play? Hell, invite Phil Jackson for all I care but regardless it don't matter people in poker will always remember Jerry Buss.

Based on the whole invite to play in his spot then I would almost have to think the buyin would be comped. After all the ME doesn't save spots for people. Its not officially capped for entrants unless somehow Buss had paid his buyin early or something prior to his passing it seems to be a free seat they are giving away in some form or fashion..

[simpdog]

This is just Druff fishing for radio topics here.

Come on Druff, this was a nice gesture and sure it was win-win....but would you have rathered they sat on the sidelines?

[gauchojake]

I've played poker with Kobe before. He's not bad. I would think that sitting around in a poker room all day might be a bit uncomfortable with a torn Achilles. Obv a self serving move by the WSOP though.

[Walter Sobchak]

Don't the major sports labor rules prevent the players from gambling? (in theory)

[4Dragons]

Sleazy PR is sleazy. Why Kobe beef and not someone else on the team? The move here would be some kind of charitable gesture and create a Buss foundation for degenerate gamblers. Kind of a half way house where you can only bet the size of the pot, but no-no limit.

[DJ_Chaps]

They should have offered it to Jean Robert Bellande, iirc he was very friendly with Dr Buss, and it may have been his only shot to play at the WSOP.

[simpdog]

They should have offered it to Jean Robert Bellande, iirc he was very friendly with Dr Buss, and it may have been his only shot to play at the WSOP.

JRB's bar tab from the weekend was likely more than you make in 2 months.

I'm not quite sure how he does it....but has unlimited backing $ and must have a good Aria sponsorship.

[Muck Ficon]

I think the real reason is that Kobe just doesn't enjoy poker

Yeah, he doesn't seem like the poker type. He'll probably just stick to rape.

[bottomset_69]

I think the real reason is that Kobe just doesn't enjoy poker

Yeah, he doesn't seem like the poker type. He'll probably just stick to rape.

Why would a guy who has made hundreds of millions want to sit next to a bunch of stinky ass poker players? I cannot think of a worse environment for someone like Kobe to be in while rehabbing his leg. A bunch of losers with smoke breath asking for his autograph.

Look at PLOL. You want that fucking guy staring at you?

[BUBBLES]

[DRK Star]

Why would a guy who has made hundreds of millions want to sit next to a bunch of stinky ass poker players?

[son of lockman]

Please as a chimp would have better chances of at least cashing than Kobe....Be realistic man...

[gut]

let Artest take the seat.

[big dick]

They should have offered it to Jean Robert Bellande, iirc he was very friendly with Dr Buss, and it may have been his only shot to play at the WSOP.

I agree give it to jrb in honor of jerry buss.

[BeerAndPoker]

David Chiu won his 5th bracelet in Stud and in his post interview with Pokernews he dedicated to Jerry Buss. Very classy guy imo.