Kobe confident economy won't harm NBA attendance

MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- Despite an ailing economy and rising unemployment in the United States, Kobe Bryant believes Americans will continue to spend money going to basketball games.

Bryant, who was speaking Tuesday on the first stop of a six-nation tour of Asia to promote a new shoe, said the sacrifices that fans make to watch him play only makes him try harder.

"(I) get my heart out there in the court to play because this may be the first time or the last time that a kid or a family ever comes to watch us play or perform," said Bryant, who led the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA title last month.

Bryant, who was greeted by about 1,000 fans, said he wants to be remembered as a guy who enjoys having a good time and loves basketball.

"But when you step into that basketball court, then it becomes business, then it becomes hard work, focus and drive and everything else," he said. "We focus on one thing and one thing only, and that's playing the game."

Bryant was making his third visit to the Philippines, and he said the country is "like a home away from home."

"I love it here," said Bryant, who grew up in Italy. "I am welcomed with open arms. They treat me like family."

At one point, Bryant took off his shoes and autographed them, giving the right shoe to a man and his son and the left to a girl who had yelled, "I love you, Kobe."

An aide handed him another pair before he left for a basketball clinic for young Filipinos at the Ultra stadium in suburban Pasig city.

"They love the game, and I love being around their energy," said Bryant, who will also visit Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Shanghai and Chengdu in China. "It takes me back to when I was a kid."