Kobe Bryant's Dismissal of Ricky Rubio's Olympic Prediction Is Pure Gold

We already know that Ricky Rubio can dish them out better than most in the NBA, but he is lobbing up marshmallows in his Olympic guarantee with Kobe Bryant. 

The Spanish point guard has been a blessing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, and just the spark they need to hold this young core together. He and the Timberwolves took it to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday and fell short in the end, and then he fell short near the locker rooms after the game. 

The Timberwolves' assist leader with 8.8 dimes per game was caught after the game carousing with Bryant and fellow Spanish international Pau Gasol. That is when things got interesting; video of the exchange can be found here at Marca.com. 

"

Kobe Bryant to Ricky Rubio and Pau Gasol: You talking about London?
Gasol: Oh yeah.
Rubio: You’re gonna be there?
Bryant: Yeah.
Rubio: You know you’re getting the silver medal? You know that?
Bryant: [expletive]. I’m taking bets! [laughs] If I win, I get the keys of Barcelona.
Rubio: I bet what you want.
Bryant: I take it!

"

And that, my friends, is how Barcelona came to be owned by Bryant. The US Olympic team has a new outlook since their merely show-up mentality of the 2004 Greece games. 

It was all about re-establishing American dominance in the Beijing games, and Bryant had a big say in that mentality. 

Spain may tout a top-shelf team with solid big men down low like Pau and Marc Gasol and Rubio flashing style and talent at the top, but London will prove that basketball is still an American game. 

The main point here is that this passing discussion between NBA players will soon be forgotten by Gasol, Rubio and the thousands that view the video. 

The one man that will never forget this is Bryant himself. Whether you like it or not, you have to agree that Bryant is a master at psyching himself up with outdated crimes against him. It's the reason that he can't stand the Phoenix Suns and plays Raja Bell with so much vitriol. 

The trash talking will now be in full glory heading into the summer games, and Rubio has now put a target on his back. 

Bryant has made no secret that he loves Rubio's game: "He’s fantastic, he has great court vision, great poise," via Slam Online.

Adoration is the last thing Rubio needs from the Mamba, because that just means he is on Bryant's list of people to cut down.

If he likes you and your game, he sees a challenge worth meeting. And we all know that Bryant always meets his challenges.

Barcelona will soon belong to Bryant.

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