At Beijing Olympics, Kobe and LeBron are in demand

BEIJING -- It's one of the most popular pastimes in the athletes' village: trying to figure out where LeBron and Kobe will show up next.

The two biggest U.S. basketball stars, like their teammates, are staying in a luxury hotel rather than slumming it with the kayakers, weightlifters and judo athletes in the village.

But LeBron and Kobe have gone out to see some of those athletes compete -- Kobe was there when Michael Phelps won his eighth gold and LeBron has been out to the Water Cube as well. In fact, getting either NBA star to show up your event has become a sign of prestige.

Swimming is one thing, through. But BMX racing? Well, don't save any seats for the guys.

"We heard that Kobe and LeBron might be coming out," BMX rider Kyle Bennett said to laughter when talking about his sport's Olympic debut Wednesday.

"I don't know. That would be awesome if they did. But I kind of doubt it."

-- Kevin Baxter

Top photo: Kobe Bryant, sitting with some U.S. swimmers last week at one of the finals. Credit: Kay Nietfeld / EPA

Inset: LeBron James poses with Michael Phelps' mother, Debbie, right. Credit: Julian Abram Wainwright /  EPA