Black Mamba: Milano Kalibro Kobe Preview

Shot in a classic Italian film-noir style, Nike’s latest Black Mamba spot finds Kobe Bryant in Italy, along with a host of other Italian sport standouts including Alberto Aquilani, Marco Belinelli, Gennaro Gattuso, Claudio Marchisio, Marco Materazzi and Giampaolo Pazzini. As is the case many times, life seems to be imitating art, as Kobe Bryant has gone on record saying that “it’s very possible” he takes his talents to Italy if the NBA remains locked out. This wouldn’t be Kobe’s first extended stay in Italy as he spent a good portion of his childhood there while his father played professionally from 1984-91. Is this really arrivederci, Kobe?