Kobe Bryant Can Draw Massive Crowd in China Like No Other

Kobe Bryant draws crowds wherever he goes. Especially in China. 

We've known for a while now how ridiculously popular the Mamba is overseas, and that picture up above provides a perfect example. That's a crowd so massive and ridiculous that it makes Times Square look empty. 

Imagine trying to navigate through the thousands of people all craning their necks for a chance to get a better view at Kobe. You wouldn't be able to do it. The mob is that thick. 

According to a press release from Nike, Bryant is on his eighth tour of China and is making stops in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Xi’An and Shanghai as he promotes the KOBE 8 "Fireworks" and Dream Season V. He's also allotting plenty of time to visit basketball courts and take in the sights. 

This crowd may not be an iconic landmark in China, but it's still one hell of a sight. 

Of course, it's not the first sight that shows just how popular Kobe is in China. How about this statue in Guangzhou? 

It takes a certain level of popularity to have a statue built in a country that you've only visited a few times. Kobe hasn't played professionally in China, nor did he grow up there or cultivate any ties to the country. He's just a beloved figure. 

That's the only explanation for having the top-selling jersey in China for six years running, although we're still waiting on figures from the 2012-13 season.

Given the crowds you can see up above, it's hard to imagine him losing that crown any time soon.