Bryant was an NBA Most Valuable Player, five-time NBA champion, and one of the most influential gamers who has ever picked up a basketball. Here’s a take a glance at how he dominated each on and off the court. It’s been three years since NBA legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others tragically died in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles in January 2020. The harm jeopardized all of it—his stellar season and his potential future earnings. It ripped him from his day-to-day soccer routines and forced him to press pause. With plenty of newfound time on his palms, Prescott dove into the books Ryan sent him and became a full-fledged believer within the Mamba Mentality.

This marked the primary time the Lakers received a Game 7 towards the Boston Celtics within the NBA Finals. Bryant stated that this was probably the most satisfying of all of his 5 championships. He was selected to his eleventh consecutive All-Star Game as a starter, and was named the Western Conference Player of the Month for December and January along with being named Western Conference Player of the week 3 times. During the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, Bryant who tallied 27 factors, 4 assists, four rebounds, and 4 steals was awarded All-Star Game co-MVP with former teammate Shaquille O'Neal. The Lakers completed the regular season with the most effective document within the west (65–17). Bryant was runner-up in the MVP voting behind LeBron James, and was chosen to the All-NBA First Team and All-Defensive First Team for the seventh time in his profession.

Both had been named for Bryant, who – for now – is the one player named Kobe to make it to the NBA. LAS VEGAS — There’s Kobe, wearing the uniform of a group from Los Angeles. Natalia Bryant, the eldest daughter of the late Kobe Bryant, has filed a restraining order towards a person who has allegedly been stalking and harassing her since 2020, stating, "I do not really feel secure." Bryant and his daughter had been laid to rest in a private funeral on February 7, 2020.

In a transfer to improve the team's protection, D'Antoni began having Bryant guard the opponent's finest perimeter participant; Bryant was the first defender on the Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving, who was held to 15 factors. Bryant acknowledged he was a extra focused defender when he had a difficult defensive task as opposed to when he played off the ball in opposition to weaker players. His defense disrupted opponents and freed Nash from unfavorable matchups. After beginning the season 1–4, coach Brown was fired.

He was accused of sexual assault in 2003, a cost which he settled out of court—the episode price him a few of his most profitable sponsorship deals, but he retained his standing as one of many wealthiest and most beloved American athletes. In addition to his lengthy taking half in career, Bryant was identified for his philanthropy and a variety of other enterprise ventures and film projects . With the Lakers fighting to safe the eighth and ultimate playoff berth within the Western Conference, coupled with injuries on the team, Bryant started taking half in virtually all 48 minutes each recreation. On April 10, 2013, Bryant turned the first player in NBA historical past to get forty seven points, eight rebounds, five assists, 4 blocks, and three steals in an NBA recreation. On April 12, Bryant suffered a torn Achilles tendon towards the Golden State Warriors, ending his season. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak had spoken to Bryant about his intensive taking half in time 10 days earlier, however Bryant insisted the minutes needed to continue given the Lakers' playoff push.

In that sequence, Bryant averaged 22.6 points per recreation and four.four assists while capturing 35.1% from the sphere. The following day, Bryant declined a six-year, $100 million supply to signal with the Los Angeles Clippers and re-signed with the Lakers on a seven-year, $136.4 million contract. Instead, one can have a glance at the reminiscences shared by celebrities and gamers; on the tributes taking place on the Empire State Building, The Staples Center, etc., and the respect proven by followers everywhere in the world.

This marked the fifth time in Bryant's profession, and the primary time without O'Neal, that he made the NBA Finals. The Lakers then misplaced to the Boston Celtics in six games. Later within the season, it was reported that Bryant would change his jersey number from 8 to 24 firstly of the 2006–07 season. Bryant's first high-school number was 24 before he switched to 33. After the Lakers' season ended, Bryant mentioned on TNT that he wanted 24 as a rookie, however it was unavailable because it was worn by George McCloud, as was 33, retired with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Bryant wore 143 on the Adidas ABCD camp and chose 8 by including these numbers.

At age 23, Bryant turned the youngest participant to win three championships. Bryant's play was notable and praised for his efficiency within the fourth quarter of video games, specifically the last two rounds of the playoffs. This cemented Bryant's popularity as a "clutch player".