Kobe Bryant passed away Jan. 26, 2020 with eight others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, (CA). The Lakers great leaves a basketball legacy that is stunning.
Draft Day
It was a short time but the Charlotte Hornets did have the rights to Kobe Bryant for a moment, making him the 13th overall selection in the 1996 NBA Draft.
Perfect fit for Lakers
Kobe Bryant holds his No. 8 Los Angeles Lakers jersey on July 11, 1996, in Inglewood, (CA.)
All-Star jam
Kobe Bryant of the Western Conference All-Stars soars for a dunk against the Eastern Conference All-Stars during the 2003 NBA All-Star Game. Bryant had 22 points in the West’s 155-145 victory.
Gold in Beijing
LeBron James (left) and Kobe Bryant of the United States pose after winning the men’s gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games against Spain at the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium.
Slam-dunk champ
Bryant is presented with his trophy after winning the 1997 Nestle Crunch Slam Dunk Contest on Feb. 8, 1997, at Gund Arena in Cleveland.
Party time in New Jersey
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal #34 celebrate defeating the New Jersey Nets in Game 4 of the 2002 NBA Finals. The Lakers won 112-106 to sweep the series.
Celebrating a Lakers three-peat
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal hold up three fingers for each of their World Championships during the Lakers’ victory parade outside Staples Center on June 14, 2002.
Two legends
Michael Jordan of the Eastern Conference All-Stars talks with Kobe Bryant at the 2003 NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta.
Retiring Nos. 8 and 24
Kobe Bryant was beaming during his jersey retirement ceremony Dec. 18, 2017, at STAPLES Center.
Meeting the First Lady
First Lady Michelle Obama talks with Kobe Bryant after their game between the United States and France on Day 2 of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
An Oscar winner
The first of many titles
Shaquille O’Neal, and Kobe Bryant pose with Lakers legend Magic Johnson after winning the NBA Championship trophy after defeating the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the 2000 NBA Finals at Staples Center
Second title
Kobe and Shaq proudly show off their two championships after the Lakers repeated in 2001.
Kobe goes for 81
Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images
Kobe Bryant leaves the court after scoring 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in 2006.
Gone too soon
Kobe Bryant shakes hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern’s hand during the 1996 NBA Draft. The Lakers’ great and former commissioner passed away within less than a month of each other.
Battling LeBron
Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images
Kobe Bryant and LeBron were generational basketball players and, in many ways, Bryant passed the torch to James, who now is a Laker.
Lakers-Celtics rivalry
Battle of Los Angeles
Kobe and Chris Paul almost became teammates but the guard’s trade to the Lakers was disallowed. Hence, he became a Clipper and Bryant made sure the Lakers always had bragging rights and continued to own LA.
The ultimate gamer
Kobe Bryant tore his Achilles in 2013. However, he would not exit without leaving an indelible memory for his and all NBA fans. With tears in his eyes and a torn Achilles, Bryant calmly sank two free throws after he crumpled to the floor while attempting to drive past forward Harrison Barnes.
Kobe and his family
Family matters took top priotity once Kobe Bryant’s playing career came to an end. Tragically, his teen daughter GiGi was on the helicopter with the basketball star and seven other people when it crashed Jan. 26, 2020, in Calabasas.
Second gold medal
Title No. 4 in 2009
Los Angeles was jubilant and Bryant jerseys were everywhere after the team won the 2008-09 championship.
Title No. 5 in 2010
Kobe earned his fifth championship ring with the Lakers for the title run in 2009-10.
‘Mamba out’
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Kobe Bryant left the NBA with a flourish. In his final game, he scored 60 points. Bryant leaves the court after scoring 60 points in his final career game as the Lakers downed the Utah Jazz.
