One of all-time basketball greats, Kobe Bryant, turns 46 today. The legend of the sport, who is not with us anymore will be remembered forever as well as his legacy. The Los Angeles Lakers star, five-time NBA Champion, and two-time Olympic Gold medalist is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to ever grace the court with his presence. August 23, 1978, marked the birth of Kobe and what we witnessed thereafter will remain with us for life.
This article is simply a tribute, a celebration, of the human, the champion, and the player Kobe Bryant. May he rest in peace as we delve into the life of #8 in this article.
Celebrating Kobe Bryant
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Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 23, 1978, Kobe Bean Bryant was destined for greatness. At only three years of age, the legend got acquainted with the sport of Basketball, when he picked up the heavy ball for the first time. Surprisingly, he was a Lakers fan from the start and as fortune has it, became the biggest legend of the same team years later. His father moved to Italy with him and his family after retiring from the NBA to continue playing professional basketball. Kobe was six at the time and quickly learned Italian where he spent his next few years.
His first stint with Basketball came when his father represented Reggio Emilio. The young child was spotted on the court as a ball boy or sometimes mopping the floor. These initial years in Italy helped Kobe Bryant get accustomed to the sport before his formative years took place in his life. He remembered his days in Europe as one of the ‘happiest’ times. Moreover, there he not only played Basketball but also became an avid supporter of the famous soccer club AC Milan.
Formative Years: College Back in the US
After returning from Italy, in 1992, Kobe Bryant made his name while playing for his high school team, Lower Merion, in Philly. Despite playing for a weaker team, he was noticed by everyone and recorded a staggering 31.1 points per game. This unreal play earned him the ‘Pennsylvania Player of the Year’ title and talks of him entering the NBA Drafts started floating around. However, in 1995, the first-round pick went to now Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett as Bryant missed out. Despite this, Kobe kept his head high and worked even harder for a top spot next year.
When he became a senior, he led his school to an incredible 31-3 record, as they lifted their first state championship in over 53 years. Not only this, he beat the likes of Lionel Simmons and Wilt Chamberlain to become the all-time leading scorer. During the 1996 NBA Draft, Bryant was the No.14 pick, done by the Charlotte Hornets. However, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers soon after. Only 17 at that time, Kobe signed a three-year $3.5 million, which marked the beginning of his career in the National Basketball League.
Kobe Byrant: A Legend Created at Los Angeles Lakers
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As the second-youngest rookie to ever become an NBA player, was a big deal for Kobe Bryant. Understandably, he was given limited playing time, averaging 15.5 minutes per game. Meanwhile, he participated in the slam dunk contest in the 1997 NBA All-Star event and won the competition. This gave him more fame at such an early age, sort of cementing his position in the league and announcing his arrival. His second season with the Lakers followed a similar pursuit although he found more playing time. However, things were to change from the third season onward.
He became the leading guard of the team but his presence became stronger as the season progressed. With the departure of big names, Kobe Bryant became a focal point in the team and also signed a six-year $70 million extension with the Lakers. In 1999, things changed for good when coach Phil Jackson took charge of the team. Under his leadership, the LA team became a force to be reckoned with. Phil was coming off a huge and successful Chicago Bulls resume and he proved the same in California as well. He formed a deadly partnership with Kobe and Shaquille O’Neal which turned out to be unstoppable.
The duo led the team to three consecutive NBA titles, proving themselves as one of the all-time best in the league. Post winning the titles, there was a rough patch in Kobe Bryant’s career where he failed to win the championship. Despite reaching the playoffs, the team always fell short as other teams like the San Antonio Spurs were making their mark. However, just like any legend’s career, there was a comeback waiting to happen.
From 2007 onward, the Lakers along with Bryant and his new partnership with Paul Gasol saw a resurgence where the team lifted two more NBA trophies. This took Kobe Bryant’s championship tally to five as he ended his career, only playing for the Lakers in 2016.
Other Rewards & Untimely Death
Other than the NBA status and a legend for the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant made his mark for the US Basketball team. He led the team to Gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as well as in the 2012 London Olympics. The two events were in the later stages of his career but became highly influential for young emerging talents. A lot of players who are now legends of the game always recall Kobe’s effect on them during the Olympics.
On January 26, 2020, a piece of horrible news broke out. It was Kobe Bryant’s death that shook the entire world all of a sudden. He along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna Bryant, and seven other people died in a helicopter crash near California. The incident left his wife and kids forever in a void that will never be filled. Since that day, every year the league celebrates his legacy as people remember the great of the game.
This article, too, celebrates and is a small tribute to the life of one of the greatest players, humans in the history of mankind, to its fullest. To the ‘Black Mamba’, Kobe Bryant.
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