He was listed at 6 ft 6 inches (1.98 m) and 212 kilos , He was usually cited as one of the dangerous scorers in the NBA. Bryant has drawn frequent comparisons to Michael Jordan, after whom he modeled his taking part in type. Like Jordan, he became most recognized for taking pictures a fall-away leap shot.

I don’t assume he had played all summer time due to his harm, but he nonetheless killed everyone. The first possession, he caught the rock alongside the baseline and hit a turn-around jumper in my face … a shot I’ve seen him hit literally a thousand occasions on TV. “Hey, don’t hurt yourself, younger fella,” Kobe uttered to me. I experienced a few of those moments throughout my rookie year. I had the unenviable task of guarding Kobe all through training camp.

They simply swept the Portland Trail Blazers within the first spherical. In the semifinals round, the Lakers swept the Sacramento Kings. In Game 4 against the Kings, Bryant recorded forty eight factors, sixteen rebounds and 3 assists in a 119–113 series-clinching win. They swept the San Antonio Spurs in the Conference Finals to advance to the Finals, before losing their first sport towards the Philadelphia 76ers in extra time. They would go on to win the next 4 video games and bring their second championship to Los Angeles in as many seasons. During the playoffs, Bryant played heavy minutes which brought his stats up to 29.4 factors, 7.three rebounds, and 6.1 assists per recreation.

Do we now have time to socialize and to hangout aimlessly? The City of Los Angeles declared Aug. 24, a mix of Bryant's two jersey numbers, "Kobe Bryant Day," in 2016 following his retirement. The commemoration, also referred to as "Mamba Day," honors his legacy and profound impression on the game. On July 18, 24-year-old Bryant was charged with felony assault after a 19-year-old lady said she was raped by Bryant on June 30 in a Colorado lodge room. At a information conference on the day he was charged, Bryant admitted he committed adultery however said he did not assault his accuser. Bryant's begin in the NBA wasn't as stellar as his counterparts Allen Iverson and Ray Allen.

The announcement drew a robust response, particularly from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. "With 17 NBA All-Star selections, an NBA MVP, five NBA championships with the Lakers, two Olympic gold medals and a relentless work ethic, Kobe Bryant is amongst the best gamers in the history of our game," Silver stated in a press release. "Whether competing within the finals or hoisting jump shots after midnight in an empty fitness center, Kobe has an unconditional love for the sport."

Kobe Bryant walks off the court with his wife, Vanessa, and daughter Natalia after scoring a career-high 81 factors in a Lakers win over the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center on Jan. 22, 2006. Despite Jason Kidd’s hand in his face, Kobe Bryant places up the successful shot within the Lakers’ victory over the Phoenix Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals at Staples Arena. Kobe Bryant drives previous Chris Webber in Game 4 of the first round of the 2000 Western Conference playoffs at Arco Arena in Sacramento.

Bryant died, along along with his daughter Gianna and seven others, in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, in 2020. A variety of tributes and memorials were subsequently issued, together with renaming the All-Star MVP Award in his honor. He wished to satisfy the Lakers legend, but he additionally understood the nature of superstar, and Prescott didn’t want to intrude on Bryant while he was at dinner with pals or family. Besides, the home the place Prescott was staying was less than a mile from Kobe’s residence. It is hard to reconcile the occasions of Colorado in 2003 with the model of Kobe Bryant who 15 years later turned an ambassador for women’s basketball and someone often known as a #GirlDad. His legacy is layered and complex, and the origins of the Mamba Mentality got here from a very dark place.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation praised the NBA's decision to fantastic Bryant, and the Human Rights Campaign stated that Bryant's language was a "disgrace" and "distasteful". Bryant acknowledged that he was open to discussing the matter with gay rights teams and needed to appeal his nice. Bryant and other Lakers appeared in a Lakers public service announcement denouncing his habits. The group's quest for another three-peat was ended after they have been swept by the Dallas Mavericks within the second round of the playoffs. The Mavericks would go on to win the 2011 NBA Finals. On May 27, 2007, ESPN reported that Bryant acknowledged that he needed to be traded if Jerry West didn't return to the group with full authority.