LOS ANGELES–Saying it would fulfill a lifelong dream, the NBA superstar Kobe Bryant packed his bags and headed toward New York City in the hopes of auditioning for Tristan in the Met Opera’s upcoming production of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde. “It’s been my dream ever since I was ten, turned on the radio and heard the beautiful tenor sounds of Luciano Pavarotti as Tristan,” Bryant said as he began vocal warmups so he could begin practicing immediately. While he does consider the relatively late start to an Opera career a major setback, Bryant told reporters his bigger concern is that he considers himself more of a baritone singer than a tenor. “Tristan is really a true tenor part, and myself, I’m more of a baritone, but I learned to change my game on the basketball court, I don’t see why the operatic stage should be any different.” Following his audition, Met General Manager Peter Gelb reportedly couldn’t hold back tears and said Bryant was obviously destined to play Tristan and become an Opera superstar.