Basketball fans cock-a-hoop as more NBA stars follow in Kobe's footsteps

Following Kobe Bryant's brief Hong Kong visit, which resulted in traffic-stopping crowds on Friday at the Silvercord mall and fans stalking him until late at the Peninsula, two other NBA stars are making a summer stop in the city to pitch some B-ball products.

All-star point guard Jason Kidd (top) and mercurial power forward Ron Artest will be here tomorrow afternoon at the APM mall on behalf of new mainland brand Peak Sport.

The stars will make an appearance between noon and 1pm, and participate in a little chit-chat with fans and various minor celebrities.

Let's hope there will be real sports fans present as there is plenty to ask the two stars. Kidd recently re-signed for the Dallas Mavericks, while Artest bolted from Yao Ming's Houston Rockets to join Kobe's Los Angeles Lakers this summer.

Speaking of Bryant, it seems his handlers were quite (over)protective of the superstar last week. Apparently on his first night in town on Thursday, he went to check out the local scene at Halo. Naturally, there were a lot of Central suits with their Blackberrys and his bodyguards tried unsuccessfully to warn people not to take pictures, even those who were just e-mailing and texting. Maybe that's why the next night Bryant decided to stay in at the Pen and dine quietly at Felix.