quote/unquote: watching the feet, "El Pistola," sin in Bahrain, going to sea

(Editor's Note: Another in a continuing series of quotes from around the globe as compiled by Wilson in St. Louis, the fourth largest single city in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century which has since slipped to 52nd.)

"It is not the shoes. It is who wears the shoes. (Kobe) Bryant took baby steps toward learning those moves while playing soccer in Italy, where he spent part of his childhood and where his father, Joe Bryant, played basketball. His feet touched the ball as much as a basketball now meets his hands. When cousins in the United States sent him videos of NBA games, Bryant studied the feet of Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley. “I’ve always worked on it, always worked on it since I was a kid,” Bryant said. “I just watched different players — Olajuwon, Michael, Charles — and just all kinds of footwork and just tried to emulate them. Playing soccer, I think, had a lot to do with it as well. It’s just growing up overseas.” ---- Jonathon Abrams, New York Times, June 6, '09

"Now it looks like we put a gun to his head to sign the contract. He was young, but he didn't come [to the table] all by himself and defenseless to see what we were going to do with him. We gave him the opportunity to develop as a player in the ACB, to grow as a player, to become an Olympian with the (Spanish) National Team -- he has accomplished these feats via the Joventut. That's what it is, that's what is signed and we will defend it." -- Jordy Villacampa, president of the Joventut basketball club, talking about Ricky "El Pistola" Rubio's (see photo) expected decision to sign with a NBA team, which would trigger a $6.6 million buy-out clause in his contract, even though Rubio would earn $175,000 next season if he stays in Spain.

"Do you think the tourists come here to Bahrain to see my face? There are tourist places in Saudi Arabia that are 100 times better than in Bahrain. They only come here to drink, and to have happy time with a Chinese or Thai girl." ---- Ahmed Sanad, president of the Bahraini Society of Hotel and Restaurant Owners, on proposals to curtail drinking and prostitution in Bahrain, which is a popular spot for Saudis. in The Wall Street Journal: "Bahrain Reconsiders the Wages of Sin" 6.09.09.

"Going to sea is like going to prison, with the chance of being drowned. A man in a jail has more room, better food, and commonly better company." -- Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)