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Drafted to LA Lakers
1996 was a big year and the start of Kobe Bryant’s career. It was the year he graduated from high school, celebrated his 18th birthday and on June 26th, 1996, Kobe was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets being the 13th pick for the first round of the NBA draft. Within a short period of time, Bryant was then later traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for another player. -
Youngest All-Star Starter Ever in The NBA
At 19 years old, Kobe became the youngest starter ever in the history of the NBA All-Star Game -
The Dream Duo
With both Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant (both Hall of Famers) playing on the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe won his first NBA title where they beat their opponents, the Indiana Pacers. -
Champions Two Years in a Row
A year later, Kobe and the Los Angeles Lakers make it to the NBA finals two years in a row. Lakers compete against the Philadelphia 76ers and beat them 5 games and take their second championship. -
Third Consecutive Champions
In 2002, Los Angeles win their third consecutive NBA championship against the New Jersey Nets. Lakers beat the Nets 4-0, losing not one game during the NBA finals. -
Shooting Second-Highest Points in the NBA
Kobe Bryant made history on January 22nd, 2006. Still playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors making the game ranked as the second-highest single-game scoring effort of all times.
Link of Kobe making 81 points in one game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeXZY4eVLlo -
Pau Gasol Joins Kobe & The Lakers
During this year, Pau Gasol, a good friend of Kobe, joins the Lakers and helps the Lakers get to the finals once again. Los Angeles faces head to head in the finals with the Boston Celtics but unfortunately, lose to them over 6 games. -
Kobe's Fourth Championship & Named MVP
On June 14th, 2009, Kobe Bryant and Lakers win their fourth NBA title competing against Orlando Magic. Kobe is named MVP for the finals.
Link: Kobe Bryant Named MVP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuIM5JA9ZKg -
Fifth NBA Championship
Jumping over to June 17th, 2010, Bryant wins his fifth and last NBA title championship and is named MVP for the second year in a row. They competed against the Boston Celtics. -
Kobe Passes Michael Jordan's Scoring
Kobe Bryant passes Michael Jordan (one of the top NBA and well-known and all around well-respected athlete) and becomes the third on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with a total of 32,310 points. -
Kobe's Last Game
On April 13th, 2016, Kobe Bryant plays his final game for the NBA. He scores 60 points during the grams against the Utah Jazz with a score of 101-96.
Link: Kobe's Farewell Speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg0mxPXIpLY -
Kobe Bryant Officially Retires
On December 18th, 2017, Kobe Bryant officially retires from the Los Angeles Lakers. He retires both his jersey numbers: No. 8 & No.24 during a halftime ceremony.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1hs-JI_yBE -
Dear Basketball
Kobe Bryant won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for the film he made called, “Dear Basketball”. -
Fatal Helicopter Accident
On January. 26th, 2020, Kobe Bryant, Kobe’s 13 year old daughter Gianna Bryant, along with six family friends and the pilot were all in a terrible helicopter accident. This was an extremely shattering and devastating day for not only the US but for the entire world. Kobe Bryant will always be recognized for his fantastic career in the NBA and giving the Los Angeles Lakers four championships. He had an amazing wife, Vanessa Bryant, along with his three beautiful daughters.
