Charlie Pierce: Kobe To Italy?

This may come as no surprise, but the NBA has postponed of the start of training camps and cancelled 43 exhibition games for the upcoming season. Kobe Bryant has been offered a contract to play in Italy for $6.7 million. Only A Game analyst Charlie Pierce weighs in on Kobe's dilemma, as well as on the recent achievement of Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.  Also this week, Charlie gives the low-down on Manny Ramirez — is he retired or isn't he? — and the latest news from the Big 12.