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| awards =4× [[List of NBA champions|NBA Champion]]<br /><small>([[2000 NBA Finals|2000]], [[2001 NBA Finals|2001]], [[2002 NBA Finals|2002]], [[2009 NBA Finals|2009]])</small><br />[[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Finals MVP]]<br />(<small>[[2009 NBA Finals|2009]]</small>)<br />[[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Most Valuable Player]]<br /><small>([[2007–08 NBA season|2008]])</small><br />12× [[List of NBA All-Stars|NBA All-Star]]<br /><small>([[1997–98 NBA season|1998]], [[1999–2000 NBA season|2000]]–[[2009–10 NBA season|2010]])</small><br />2× [[List of National Basketball Association season scoring leaders|NBA Scoring Champion]]<br /><small>([[2005–06 NBA season|2006]]–[[2006–07 NBA season|2007]])</small><br />7× [[All-NBA Team|All-NBA First Team]]<br /><small>([[2001–02 NBA season|2002]]–[[2003–04 NBA season|2004]], [[2005–06 NBA season|2006]]–[[2008–09 NBA season|2009]])</small><br />2× [[All-NBA Team|All-NBA Second Team]]<br /><small>([[1999–2000 NBA season|2000]]–[[2000–01 NBA season|2001]])</small><br />2× [[All-NBA Team|All-NBA Third Team]]<br /><small>([[1998–99 NBA season|1999]], [[2004–05 NBA season|2005]])</small><br />7× [[NBA All-Defensive Team|All-Defensive First Team]]<br /><small>([[1999–2000 NBA season|2000]], [[2002–03 NBA season|2003]]–[[2003–04 NBA season|2004]], [[2005–06 NBA season|2006]]–[[2008–09 NBA season|2009]])</small><br />2× [[NBA All-Defensive Team|All-Defensive Second Team]]<br /><small>([[2000–01 NBA season|2001]]–[[2001–02 NBA season|2002]])</small><br />[[NBA All-Rookie Team|NBA All-Rookie Second Team]]<br /><small>([[1996–97 NBA season|1997]])</small><br />3× [[NBA All-Star Game MVP]]<br /><small>([[2001–02 NBA season|2002]], [[2006–07 NBA season|2007]], [[2008–09 NBA season|2009]])</small><br />[[Slam Dunk Contest|NBA Slam Dunk Champion]]<br /><small>([[1996–97 NBA season|1997]])</small><br />[[Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award|Naismith Prep Player of the Year]]<br /><small>(1996) |
| awards =4× [[List of NBA champions|NBA Champion]]<br /><small>([[2000 NBA Finals|2000]], [[2001 NBA Finals|2001]], [[2002 NBA Finals|2002]], [[2009 NBA Finals|2009]])</small><br />[[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Finals MVP]]<br />(<small>[[2009 NBA Finals|2009]]</small>)<br />[[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Most Valuable Player]]<br /><small>([[2007–08 NBA season|2008]])</small><br />12× [[List of NBA All-Stars|NBA All-Star]]<br /><small>([[1997–98 NBA season|1998]], [[1999–2000 NBA season|2000]]–[[2009–10 NBA season|2010]])</small><br />2× [[List of National Basketball Association season scoring leaders|NBA Scoring Champion]]<br /><small>([[2005–06 NBA season|2006]]–[[2006–07 NBA season|2007]])</small><br />7× [[All-NBA Team|All-NBA First Team]]<br /><small>([[2001–02 NBA season|2002]]–[[2003–04 NBA season|2004]], [[2005–06 NBA season|2006]]–[[2008–09 NBA season|2009]])</small><br />2× [[All-NBA Team|All-NBA Second Team]]<br /><small>([[1999–2000 NBA season|2000]]–[[2000–01 NBA season|2001]])</small><br />2× [[All-NBA Team|All-NBA Third Team]]<br /><small>([[1998–99 NBA season|1999]], [[2004–05 NBA season|2005]])</small><br />7× [[NBA All-Defensive Team|All-Defensive First Team]]<br /><small>([[1999–2000 NBA season|2000]], [[2002–03 NBA season|2003]]–[[2003–04 NBA season|2004]], [[2005–06 NBA season|2006]]–[[2008–09 NBA season|2009]])</small><br />2× [[NBA All-Defensive Team|All-Defensive Second Team]]<br /><small>([[2000–01 NBA season|2001]]–[[2001–02 NBA season|2002]])</small><br />[[NBA All-Rookie Team|NBA All-Rookie Second Team]]<br /><small>([[1996–97 NBA season|1997]])</small><br />3× [[NBA All-Star Game MVP]]<br /><small>([[2001–02 NBA season|2002]], [[2006–07 NBA season|2007]], [[2008–09 NBA season|2009]])</small><br />[[Slam Dunk Contest|NBA Slam Dunk Champion]]<br /><small>([[1996–97 NBA season|1997]])</small><br />[[Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award|Naismith Prep Player of the Year]]<br /><small>(1996) |
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'''Kobe Bean Bryant''' (born {{Birth date|1978|8|23}}) is an [[United States|American]] [[shooting guard]] who plays for the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA). Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career and made instant headlines when he decided to go directly into the NBA upon graduation. He was selected with the 13th overall pick in the [[1996 NBA Draft]] by the [[New Orleans Hornets|Charlotte Hornets]], then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant and then-teammate [[Shaquille O'Neal]] led the Lakers to three consecutive [[NBA Finals|NBA championships]] from [[2000 NBA Finals|2000]] to [[2002 NBA Finals|2002]]. After O'Neal's departure following the [[2003–04 NBA season|2003–04]] season, Bryant became the cornerstone of the Lakers franchise. He led the NBA in scoring during the [[2005–06 NBA season|2005–06]] and [[2006–07 NBA season|2006–07]] seasons.<ref name="bio" /> In 2006, Bryant scored a career high 81 points against the [[Toronto Raptors]], the second [[List of National Basketball Association players with 60 or more points in a game|highest number of points scored in a single game]] in NBA history,<ref name=" |
'''Kobe Bean Bryant''' (born {{Birth date|1978|8|23}}) is an [[United States|American]] [[shooting guard]] who plays for the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA). Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career and made instant headlines when he decided to go directly into the NBA upon graduation. He was selected with the 13th overall pick in the [[1996 NBA Draft]] by the [[New Orleans Hornets|Charlotte Hornets]], then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant and then-teammate [[Shaquille O'Neal]] led the Lakers to three consecutive [[NBA Finals|NBA championships]] from [[2000 NBA Finals|2000]] to [[2002 NBA Finals|2002]]. After O'Neal's departure following the [[2003–04 NBA season|2003–04]] season, Bryant became the cornerstone of the Lakers franchise. He led the NBA in scoring during the [[2005–06 NBA season|2005–06]] and [[2006–07 NBA season|2006–07]] seasons.<ref name="bio" /> In 2006, Bryant scored a career high 81 points against the [[Toronto Raptors]], the second [[List of National Basketball Association players with 60 or more points in a game|highest number of points scored in a single game]] in NBA history,<ref name="8 <references/> tag |
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Bryant was awarded the regular season's [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player Award]] (MVP) in the [[2007–08 NBA season|2007–08]] season and led his team to the [[2008 NBA Finals]] as the first seed in the Western Conference.<ref name="KobeWinsMVPbyNBA">{{cite web |last=NBA Staff |url=http://www.nba.com//news/kobe_mvp_080506.html |title=Kobe Bryant Wins Most Valuable Player Award, |publisher=[[NBA]] |date=2008-05-06 |accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> He won his fourth NBA championship in [[2009 NBA Finals|2009]], leading the Lakers to their fifteenth title. He also won his first [[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|Finals MVP award]]. In 2008, he won a [[gold medal]] as a member of the [[USA men's national basketball team|2008 Summer Olympics U.S. Men's Basketball Team]], occasionally referred to as "The Redeem Team," a play on the name of the first Olympic team that featured NBA players, the [[USA men's national basketball team#1992 Olympics (Barcelona) - The Dream Team|Dream Team]].<ref name="RedeemTeambySheridan">{{cite web |last=Sheridan |first=Chris |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/basketball/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=DreamRedeem-080825 |title=Redeem Team proves worthy of Dream Team comparison |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=2008-08-25 |accessdate=2008-12-06}}</ref> Since his second year in the league, Bryant has started in every [[NBA All-Star Game]] that has been hosted, winning the [[NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award|All-Star MVP award]] in [[2002 NBA All-Star Game|2002]], [[2007 NBA All-Star Game|2007]], and [[2009 NBA All-Star Game|2009]]. In 2009 Bryant had the top-selling jersey in the United States, Europe, and China.<ref>http://www.nba.com/2009/news/10/08/bryant.jersey.china/index.html?rss=true</ref> Although known by several names throughout his career, Bryant's current nickname is [[Black mamba|Black Mamba]]. After having been represented by [[Arn Tellem]], Bryant is now represented by [[Rob Pelinka]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Draft Express Staff |url=http://www.draftexpress.com/agents/Rob-Pelinka-99/ |title=Rob Pelinka |accessdate=2008-07-23 |publisher=DraftExpress LLC}}</ref> In 2010, Bryant became the all-time leading scorer in Lakers history. |
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==Early years== |
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Kobe Bryant was born in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]] as the youngest of three children and the only son of former [[Philadelphia 76ers]] player and former [[Los Angeles Sparks]] head coach [[Joe Bryant|Joe "Jellybean" Bryant]] and Pamela Cox Bryant.<ref name="bio" /> He is also the [[maternal]] nephew of [[Chubby Cox|John "Chubby" Cox]]. His parents named him after the [[Kobe beef|famous beef]] of [[Kobe]], [[Japan]], which they saw on a restaurant menu.<ref name="bio">{{cite web |last=NBA Staff |title=Kobe Bryant Bio |publisher=NBA.com |date=N.D. |url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/kobe_bryant/bio.html |accessdate=2007-08-05}}</ref> When Bryant was six, his father left the NBA and moved his family to [[Italy]] to begin playing professional basketball.<ref name="italy">{{cite video |people=Sportitalia Staff |title={{YouTube|id=_L6nVq2jspU|title=Intervista Kobe Bryant in italiano su Sportitalia 1^PARTE}} |date=2007-04-08 |accessdate=2008-06-28 |publisher=[[Sportitalia]]}}</ref> Bryant became accustomed to his new lifestyle and learned to speak [[Italian language|Italian]] and [[Spanish language|Spanish]] fluently.<ref name="italy" /><ref>http://lakers.freedomblogging.com/2009/03/06/kobe-to-pau-pass-the-ball-por-favor/13129/</ref> During summers, Bryant would come back to the United States to play in a basketball summer league.<ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCJ/is_5_28/ai_71187958</ref> |
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He started playing basketball when he was 3 years old,<ref>http://www.powells.com/biblio?isbn=9780822598497</ref> and at an early age he learned to play [[soccer]]; his favorite team was [[AC Milan]].<ref name="KobeSoccerPlayer">{{cite news |last=Arroyave |first=Luis |title=NBA's Kobe Bryant almost became a soccer player |publisher=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=2006}}</ref> He has said that if he had stayed in Italy, he would have tried to become a professional soccer player;<ref name="KobeSoccerPlayer" /> Bryant is a big fan of former [[FC Barcelona]] manager [[Frank Rijkaard]] and their former player [[Ronaldinho]].<ref name="usatoday">{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2006-08-07-ronaldinho-north-american-tour_x.htm |title=Ronaldinho is a U.S. tour de force |last=D'Hippolito |first=Joseph |date=2006-08-08 |work=(Special for USA TODAY, Soccer > Inside Sports ) |publisher=[[USA Today]] |accessdate=2007-11-28}}</ref> Upon Joe Bryant's retirement from playing basketball in 1991, the Bryant family moved back to the [[United States]]. |
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===High school=== |
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Bryant earned national recognition during a spectacular high school career at [[Lower Merion High School]] located in the Philadelphia suburb of [[Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania|Lower Merion]]. His father coached him his sophomore (second) year of high school. At [[Adidas]] ABCD camp, Bryant earned the 1995 senior MVP award,<ref>http://www.reebokabcdcamp.com/mvps.html</ref> while playing alongside future NBA teammate [[Lamar Odom]].<ref>http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1153359/3/index.htm</ref> While in high school, then 76ers coach [[John Lucas II|John Lucas]] invited Bryant to work out and scrimmage with the team, where he played one-on-one with [[Jerry Stackhouse]].<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHjt_-Ec0JQ</ref> In his senior year of high school, Bryant led the Aces to their first state championship in 53 years. During the run, he averaged 30.8 points, 12 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 4.0 steals, and 3.8 blocked shots in leading the Aces to a 31–3 record.<ref name="HighSchool">http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/basketba/2002-05-08-bryant.htm</ref> He ended his career as [[Southeastern Pennsylvania]]'s all-time leading scorer at 2,883 points, surpassing both [[Wilt Chamberlain]] and [[Lionel Simmons]].<ref>http://www.aceshoops.com/?s=history</ref> Bryant received several awards for his performance his senior year including being named [[Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award|Naismith High School Player of the Year]], [[Gatorade]] Men's National Basketball Player of the Year, a [[McDonald's All-American Team|McDonald's All-American]], and a ''[[USA Today]]'' All-USA First Team player.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/lakers/roster/0607_24bryant.html |title=#24 Kobe Bryant |work=NBA.com |publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc |accessdate=2008-08-05}}</ref> Bryant's varsity coach, Greg Downer, commented that Bryant was "a complete player who dominates".<ref name="HighSchool" /> In 1996, Bryant took [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] singer [[Brandy Norwood]] to his [[senior prom]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/b/brandy/news_feature_061404/ |title=Brandy On Growing Up: A Candid Chat |accessdate=2009-01-15 |publisher=MTV NETWORKS |work=[[MTV.com]] |author=Pak, SuChin}}</ref> though the two were/are just friends. His [[SAT]] score of 1080<ref>{{cite web |last=Samuels |first=Allison |date=2003-10-13 |url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/61773/page/3 |title="Kobe Off The Court" |page=7 |publisher=[[NewsWeek]] |accessdate=2008-12-06}}</ref> would have ensured his basketball scholarship to various top-tier colleges. Ultimately, however, the 17-year-old Bryant made the decision to go [[NBA high school draftees|directly into the NBA]]. Bryant's news was met with a lot of publicity at a time when [[prep-to-pro]] NBA players was not very common ([[Kevin Garnett]] being the only exception in 20 years). Bryant has stated that had he decided to go to college after high school, he would have attended [[Duke University]].<ref>Larry King Live (January 6, 2005). [http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0501/06/lkl.01.html Kobe Bryant Interview]. ''CNN''. Accessed May 25, 2007.</ref> |
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==NBA career== |
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===1996 NBA Draft=== |
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The first guard to ever be taken out of high school, Bryant was chosen as the 13th overall [[1996 NBA Draft|draft]] pick by the [[New Orleans Hornets|Charlotte Hornets]] [[1996 NBA Draft|in 1996]].<ref>http://espndb.go.com/nba/finals/profile/_/id/110/type/player/kobe-bryant</ref> However, according to [[Arn Tellem]], Bryant's agent at the time, Bryant playing for the Charlotte Hornets was "an impossibility".<ref name="Hornets">{{cite web |last=Robert |first=Selena |url=http://select.nytimes.com/2007/06/29/sports/29roberts.html |title=Destination Portland: A Big Man, a Small Place |publisher=''[[New York Times]]'' |work=Sports |date=2007-06-29 |accessdate=2008-12-06}}</ref> Nevertheless, the Charlotte Hornets selected Bryant, seeing that there was a chance to trade with the Lakers.<ref name="Hornets" /> Prior to the draft, Bryant had worked out in Los Angeles, in which he scrimmaged against former Lakers players [[Larry Drew]] and [[Michael Cooper]], and according to then-Laker manager Jerry West "marched over these people".<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Deals Are What Made The Lakers |url= |work=Long Beach Press-Telegram |publisher= |date=2000-02-25 |accessdate= }}</ref> On July 1, 1996, West traded his starting [[center (basketball)|center]], [[Vlade Divac]], to the Hornets in exchange for Bryant's draft rights.<ref>{{cite web |last=SI Staff |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/news/2001/05/26/sayitaintso_lakers/ |title=Say It Ain't So (Transactions that broke our hearts) |publisher=[[CNN]]/[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=2001}}</ref> Since he was still 17 at the time of the draft, his parents had to cosign his contract with the Lakers until he was able to sign his own when he turned 18 before the season began.<ref name="complex.com">http://www.complex.com/CELEBRITIES/Cover-Story/Kobe-Bryant</ref> |
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===First three seasons (1996–99)=== |
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During [[1996–97 NBA season|his rookie season]], Bryant mostly came off the bench behind guards [[Eddie Jones (basketball)|Eddie Jones]] and [[Nick Van Exel]].<ref name="Contemporary Black Biography">{{cite journal |last=Edited by Ashyia Henderson. |title="Kobe Bryant." |journal=Contemporary Black Biography |date=2008 |publisher=Gale Group, 2001; Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale, 2008. |volume= 31 |url=http://0-galenet.galegroup.com.sapl.sat.lib.tx.us/servlet/BioRC?vrsn=149&OP=contains&locID=txshrpub100334&srchtp=name&ca=1&c=1&AI=U13015572&NA=Kobe+Bryant&ste=12&tbst=prp&tab=1&docNum=K1606001949&bConts=59 |accessdate=2008-12-06}} http://0-galenet.galegroup.com.sapl.sat.lib.tx.us:80/servlet/BioRC</ref> At the time he became the youngest player ever to play in an NBA game (a record since broken by teammate [[Andrew Bynum]]), and also became the youngest NBA starter ever.<ref>http://basketballdaily.today.com/2009/01/30/the-youngest-nba-basketball-player-records/ The Youngest NBA Basketball Player Records</ref> Initially, Bryant played limited minutes, but as the season continued, he began to see some more playing time. By the end of the season, he averaged 15.5 minutes a game. He earned himself a reputation as a high-flyer and a fan favorite by winning the 1997 [[Slam Dunk Contest]].<ref>{{cite web |last=NBA Staff |url=http://www.nba.com/history/allstar/slamdunk_year_by_year.html#1997 |title=All-Star: Slam Dunk Year-by-Year Results |publisher=[[NBA]]; nba.com/history/allstar |date=N.D. |accessdate=2008-08-25}}</ref> Bryant's performance throughout the year earned him a spot on the [[NBA All-Rookie Team|NBA All Rookie]] second team with fellow bench teammate [[Travis Knight]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/history/awards_allrookieteams.html |title=All-Rookie Teams |publisher=[[NBA]].com |accessdate=2008-01-27}}</ref> His final minutes of the season ended in disaster when he shot 3 [[air ball]]s at crucial times in the game.<ref name="HighSchool"/> He missed the first shot to win the game in the 4th quarter and 2 three-pointers to tie the game in the last minute of overtime. With that the [[Utah Jazz]] ended the [[1997 NBA Playoffs|playoffs]] for the Lakers in the first round. [[Shaquille O'Neal]] commented years later that "[Bryant] was the only guy who had the guts at the time to take shots like that."<ref>http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?id=4152884</ref><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RbLBGZwiR4</ref> |
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In Bryant's [[1997–98 NBA season|second season]], he received more playing time and began to show more of his abilities as a talented young guard. As a result Bryant's point averages more than doubled from 7.6 to 15.4 points per game.<ref>http://www.nba.com/playerfile/kobe_bryant/career_stats.html</ref> Bryant would see an increase in minutes when the Lakers "played small", which would feature Bryant playing small forward along side the guards he'd usually backup.<ref>[http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/29194361.html?dids=29194361:29194361&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS NBA Playoffs; A Dilemma for Kobe; NBA playoffs: The Lakers can still go small with Bryant in the frontcourt, but it could come at a price against the bigger Schrempf] Los Angeles Times, May 4, 1998. Retrieved December 5, 2009</ref> Bryant was the runner-up for the [[NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award|NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Award]],<ref name="6thManVoting1998">{{cite web |url=http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1998.html#smoy |title=1997–98 NBA Awards Voting |last=Basketball-References Staff |date=N.D. |publisher=Basketball Reference |accessdate=2008-12-07}}</ref> and through fan voting, he also became the youngest [[National Basketball Association All-Star Game|NBA All-Star]] starter in NBA history.<ref name="AllStarProfile">{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/allstar2008/players/kobe_bryant.html |title=All-Star Player Profile : Kobe Bryant |last=NBA Staff |date=N.D. |publisher=[[NBA]] |accessdate=2008-12-07}}</ref> He was joined by fellow team mates Shaquille O'Neal, [[Nick Van Exel]], and [[Eddie Jones (basketball)|Eddie Jones]], making it the first time since 1983 that four players on the same team were selected to play in the same All-Star Game. Bryant's 15.4 points per game was the highest of any non-starter in the season.<ref name="Contract">http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F00E6D81738F933A05752C0A96F958260</ref> |
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The [[1998–99 NBA season|1998–99]] season marked Bryant's emergence as a premiere guard in the league. With starting guards Nick Van Exel and [[Eddie Jones (basketball)|Eddie Jones]] traded, Bryant started every game for the lockout-shortened 50 game season. During the season, Bryant signed a 6-year contract extension worth $70 million.<ref name="Contract" /> This kept him with the Lakers till the end of the 2003–04 season. Even at an early stage of his career sportswriters were comparing his skills to that of [[Michael Jordan]] and [[Magic Johnson]].<ref name="complex.com"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/23936063.html?dids=23936063:23936063&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS |title=KOBE BRYANT: THE AIR APPARENT? |date=January 27, 2009 |publisher=basketball-reference.com |accessdate=2009-01-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1012689/index.htm |title=Showtime! |date=January 27, 2009 |publisher=basketball-reference.com |accessdate=2009-01-27}}</ref> The playoff results, however, were no better, as the Lakers were [[1999 NBA Playoffs|swept]] by the [[San Antonio Spurs]] in the Western Conference semi-finals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/1999.html |title=1998–99 Los Angeles Lakers Statistics |publisher=basketball-reference.com |accessdate=2008-06-23}}</ref> |
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===Three-peat (1999–2002)=== |
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[[Image:KBryant8.jpg|thumb|left|165px|Bryant was a member of the Lakers teams that won three consecutive NBA Championships from 2000 to 2002.]] |
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Bryant's fortunes would soon change when [[Phil Jackson]] became coach for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/2000.html |title=1999–00 Los Angeles Lakers Statistics |publisher=basketball-reference.com |accessdate=2008-06-23}}</ref> After years of steady improvement, Bryant became one of the premier [[shooting guard]]s in the league, earning appearances in the league's All-NBA,<ref name="BryantAllNBA">{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/news/all_nba_team_020501.html |title=Bryant, McGrady Highlight All-NBA Selections |last=NBA Staff |date=2002-05-01 |publisher=[[NBA]] |accessdate=2008-12-07}}</ref> All-Star, and All-Defensive teams.<ref name="BryantAllDefensive">{{cite web |url=http://rawstory.com/news/afp/Garnett_Bryant_top_NBA_All_Defensiv_05122008.html |title=Garnett, Bryant top NBA All-Defensive selections |last=Raw Story Staff |date=2008-05-12 |publisher=[[The Raw Story]];[[Agence France-Presse|AFP]] |accessdate=2008-12-07}}</ref> The Los Angeles Lakers became premier championship contenders under Bryant and [[Shaquille O'Neal]], who formed an outstanding center-guard combination. Jackson utilized the [[triangle offense]] he used to win six championships with the [[Chicago Bulls]], which would help both Bryant and O'Neal rise to the elite class of the NBA. The three resulting championships won consecutively in [[2000 NBA Finals|2000]], [[2001 NBA Finals|2001]], and [[2002 NBA Finals|2002]] further proved such a fact.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/lakers/history/lakers_history_new.html |title=LAKERS: Los Angeles Lakers History |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-23}}</ref> |
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Bryant started the [[1999–2000 NBA season|1999–2000]] season sidelined for six weeks due to an injury to his hand in a preseason game against the [[Washington Wizards]].<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950CE7DB1130F936A25753C1A96F958260 N.B.A. : NOTEBOOK -- LOS ANGELES LAKERS; Bryant Out Six Weeks With a Broken Hand] October 15, 1999, The New York Times</ref> With Bryant back and playing over 38 minutes a game, he saw an increase in all statistical categories in the 1999–2000 season. This included leading the team in assists per game and steals per game. The duo of O'Neal and Bryant backed with a strong bench led to the Lakers winning 67 games, tied for 5th most in NBA history. This followed with O'Neal winning the MVP and Bryant being named to the [[All-NBA|All-NBA Team]] Second Team and All-NBA Defensive Team for the first time in his career (the youngest player ever to receive defensive honors).<ref>http://www.nba.com/lakers/history/lakers_history_new.html#35</ref> While playing second fiddle to O'Neal in the playoffs, Bryant had some clutch performances including a 25 point, 11 rebound, 7 assist, 4 block game in game 7 of the Western Conference finals against the [[Portland Trail Blazers]].<ref>http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200006040LAL.html</ref> He also threw an alley-oop pass to O'Neal to clinch the game and the series. In the [[2000 NBA Finals]] against the [[Indiana Pacers]], Bryant injured his ankle in the second quarter of game 2 and was out until game 4. In game 4, O'Neal fouled out of the game in over time, so Bryant took the lead and scored eight points and put the Lakers ahead 120–118 for the win.<ref>http://www2.indystar.com/library/factfiles/sports/basketball/indiana_pacers/2000/pacers2000.html</ref> With a game 6 victory, the Lakers won their first championship since 1988. |
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Statistically, the [[2000–01 NBA season|2000–01]] season saw Bryant perform similarly to the previous year except Bryant was averaging 6 more points a game (28.5). It was also the year when disagreements between Bryant and O'Neal began to surface.<ref>http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-8847419_ITM</ref> Once again he led the team in assists with 5 per game. The Lakers however, only won 56 games, an 11 game drop off from last year. The Lakers would respond by going 15–1 in the playoffs. They easily swept the Portland Trail Blazers, [[Sacramento Kings]], and [[San Antonio Spurs]], before losing their first game against the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] in overtime. They would go on to win the next 4 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 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game. In the playoffs teammate O'Neal declared Bryant the best player in the league.<ref name="HighSchool" /><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyfR2pDOt3k</ref> Bryant ended up making the All NBA Second team and All NBA Defensive Team for the second year in a row. In addition, he was also voted to start in the NBA All-Star Game for the 3rd year in a row (no game in 1999). |
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In the [[2001–02 NBA season|2001–02 season]], Bryant played 80 games for the first time in his career. He continued his all-round play by averaging 25.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. He also had a career high 46.9% shooting and once again led his team in assists. While making the All-Star team and All-NBA Defensive team again, he was also promoted to the All-NBA First Team for the first time in his career. The Lakers won 58 games that year and finished second place in the [[Pacific Division (NBA)|Pacific Division]] behind in-state rival [[Sacramento Kings]]. The road to the Finals would prove a lot tougher then the record run the Lakers had the previous year. While the Lakers swept the Trail Blazers and defeated the Spurs 4–1, the Lakers did not have home court advantage against the Sacramento Kings. The series would stretch to 7 games, the first time this happened to the Lakers since the Western Conference Finals in the 2000 NBA Playoffs. However, the Lakers were able to beat their division rivals and make their third consecutive [[NBA Finals]] appearance. In the [[2002 NBA Finals|2002 Finals]], Bryant averaged 26.8 points, 51.4% shooting, 5.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists per game, which included scoring a quarter of the teams points.<ref name="Finals">http://www.usatoday.com/sports/nba/02playoffs/2002-06-14-kobe.htm</ref> At age 23, Bryant became the youngest player to win three championships.<ref name="Finals" /> Bryant's play was notable and praised for his performance in the 4th quarter of games, specifically the last 2 rounds of the playoffs.<ref name="Finals" /><ref>http://www.nba.com/games/20020512/LALSAS/recap.html</ref> This cemented Bryant's reputation as a clutch player. |
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===Coming up short (2002–04)=== |
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[[Image:Lakers Grizzlies 200304.jpg|thumb|220px|Bryant (second from left) looks on while [[Memphis Grizzlies]] [[Pau Gasol]] battles for the tip-off [[jump ball]] versus [[Horace Grant]].]] |
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In the [[2002–03 NBA season|2002–03]] season, Bryant averaged 30 points per game and embarked on a historic run, posting 40 or more points in nine consecutive games while averaging 40.6 in the entire month of February. In addition, he averaged 6.9 [[rebound (basketball)|rebounds]], 5.9 [[assist (basketball)|assists]], and 2.2 [[steal (basketball)|steals]] per game, all career highs up to that point. Bryant was once again voted on to both the All-NBA and All-Defensive 1st teams,<ref name="bio" /> and came in third place in voting for the MVP award. After finishing 50–32 in the regular season, the Lakers foundered [[2003 NBA Playoffs|in the playoffs]] and lost in the Western Conference semi-finals to the eventual NBA champions [[San Antonio Spurs]] in six games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2003/series?series=lalsas |title=NBA Playoffs 2003 – Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs |publisher=[[ESPN]].com |accessdate=2008-06-23}}</ref> |
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In the following [[2003–04 NBA season|2003–04]] season, the Lakers were able to acquire NBA All-Stars [[Karl Malone]], and [[Gary Payton]] to make another push at the NBA Championship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/payton_malone_030716.html |title=LAKERS: Lakers Sign Free Agents Gary Payton and Karl Malone |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-23}}</ref> Before the season began, Bryant was arrested for sexual assault.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thedenverchannel.com/sports/2314127/detail.html |title=Kobe Bryant Arrested For Alleged Sexual Assualt |publisher=[[KMGH-TV]] |accessdate=2008-06-23}}</ref> This caused Bryant to miss some games due to court appearances or attend court earlier in the day and travel to play games later in same day.<ref>http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/saraceno/2004-04-21-saraceno-bryant_x.htm</ref><ref>http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-117269913.html</ref> In the final game of the regular season the Lakers played the Portland Trail Blazers. Bryant made two buzzer beaters to win the game and the [[Pacific Division (NBA)|Pacific Division]] title. At the end of the fourth quarter, Bryant made a three pointer as time ran out to tie the game and send it into over time.<ref name="Portland">http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=240414022</ref> The game eventually went to a second over time and Bryant made another three pointer as time expired to lift the Lakers past the Trail Blazers 105–104.<ref name="Portland"/> With a starting lineup of four future [[Basketball Hall of Fame|Hall of Famers]], O'Neal, Malone, Payton, and Bryant, the Lakers were able to reach [[2004 NBA Finals|the NBA Finals]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/playoffs2004/series_minlal.html |title=Minnesota Timberwolves (1) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (2) |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-23}}</ref> In the Finals, they were eliminated by the [[Detroit Pistons]] in 5 games. In that series, Bryant averaged 22.6 points per game and 4.4 assists. He shot a mere 35.1% from the field.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/finals2004/ |title=Finals 2004 |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-23}}</ref> Phil Jackson's contract as coach was not renewed, and [[Rudy Tomjanovich]] took over.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/coachfile/rudy_tomjanovich/ |title=Rudy Tomjanovich Coach Info |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-23}}</ref> Shaquille O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat for [[Lamar Odom]], [[Caron Butler]], and [[Brian Grant]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2004-07-14-shaq-trade_x.htm |title=It's Official: Shaq traded to Heat for three players, draft pick |publisher=[[USAToday]] |accessdate=2008-06-23}}</ref> The following day, Bryant declined an offer to sign with the [[Los Angeles Clippers]] and re-signed with the Lakers on a seven-year contract.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1840336 |title=Kobe remains with Lakers |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |accessdate=2008-07-16}}</ref> |
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===Playoff disappointments (2004–07)=== |
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Bryant was closely scrutinized and criticized during the 2004–05 season with his reputation badly damaged from all that had happened over the previous year. A particularly damaging salvo came when Phil Jackson wrote ''[[The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul]]''. The book detailed the events of the Lakers' tumultuous [[2003–04 NBA season|2003–04 season]] and has a number of criticisms of Bryant. In the book Jackson called Bryant "uncoachable".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/06/sports/basketball/06lakers.html |title=Coach and Star Savor Success in Collaboration |date=2006-05-06 |publisher=nytimes.com |accessdate=2008-08-05}}</ref> |
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[[Image:Kobe Bryant dunk.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Bryant dunks against [[Golden State Warriors]] in October 2005]] |
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Midway through the season, [[Rudy Tomjanovich]] suddenly resigned as Lakers coach, citing the recurrence of health problems and exhaustion. Without Tomjanovich, stewardship of the remainder of the Lakers' season fell to career assistant coach [[Frank Hamblen]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/coaching_change_050202.html |title=Lakers Announce Coaching Change |date=2005-02-02 |publisher=nba.com/lakers |accessdate=2008-08-05}}</ref> Despite the fact that Bryant was the league's second leading scorer at 27.6 points per game, the Lakers floundered and missed the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. The year signified a drop in Bryant's overall status in the NBA, as he did not make the NBA All-Defensive Team and was also demoted to the All-NBA Third Team.<ref name="KobeBryantStatistics">{{cite web |url=http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bryanko01.html |title=Kobe Bryant Statistics |publisher=basketball-reference.com |accessdate=2008-08-05}}</ref> |
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The [[2005–06 NBA season]] would mark a crossroads in Bryant's basketball career. Despite past differences with Bryant, [[Phil Jackson]] returned to coach the Lakers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/coachfile/phil_jackson/ |title=Phil Jackson |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> Bryant endorsed the move, and by all appearances, the two men worked together well the second time around, leading the Lakers [[2006 NBA Playoffs|back into the playoffs]]. The team posted a 45–37 record, an eleven-game improvement over the previous season, and the entire squad seemed to be clicking.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/standings?season=2006 |title=NBA Standings – 2005–2006 |publisher=[[ESPN]].com |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> In the first round of the playoffs, the Lakers played well enough to reach a 3–1 series lead over the [[Phoenix Suns]], culminating with Bryant's OT-forcing and game-winning shots in Game 4. They came within six seconds of eliminating the second-seeded Suns in Game 6, however, they lost that game 126 to 118 in overtime.<ref name="phxlal">{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/playoffs2006/series_phxlal.html |title=Phoenix Suns (2) vs. Los Angeles lakers (7) |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> Despite Bryant's 27.8 points per game in the series, the Lakers broke down, and ultimately fell to the Suns in seven games.<ref name="phxlal" /> In the 2006 off-season, Bryant had knee surgery, preventing him from participating in the [[2006 FIBA World Championship]] tournament.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2520373 |title=Kobe won't play for USA after knee surgery |date=2006-07-16 |publisher=ESPN.com |accessdate=2008-08-05}}</ref> Bryant's individual scoring accomplishments posted resulted in the finest statistical season of his career. On December 20, 2005, Bryant scored 62 points in three quarters against the [[Dallas Mavericks]]. Entering the fourth quarter, Bryant had outscored the entire Mavericks team 62–61, the only time a player has done this through three quarters since the advent of the 24-second [[shot clock]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.authenticbasketball.com/top_players/kobe_bryant.htm |title=Basketball: Kobe Bryant Profile and Information |publisher=authenticbasketball.com |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> When the Lakers faced the [[Miami Heat]] on January 16, 2006, Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal made headlines by engaging in handshakes and hugs before the game, signifying the end of [[Shaq–Kobe feud|the feud]] that had festered between the two players since O'Neal's departure from Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/17/AR2006011701377_pf.html|title=O'Neal Squashes Feud With Bryant|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 18, 2006|accessdate=January 17, 2009}}</ref> A month later, at the [[2006 NBA All-Star Game]], the two laughed together on several occasions.<ref>http://www.nba.com/allstar2006/allstar_game/55things_as06.html</ref> On January 22, 2006, Bryant scored 81 points in a 122–104 victory against the [[Toronto Raptors]].<ref name="81-Point-Game Highlights" /><ref>basketball-reference.com, [http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2006.html 2005–06 NBA Season Summary], accessed, December 8, 2007.</ref> In addition to breaking the previous franchise record of 71 set by [[Elgin Baylor]], Kobe Bryant's 81-point game was the second highest point total in NBA history, surpassed only by [[Wilt Chamberlain]]'s [[Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game|100-point game]] in 1962.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20060122/TORLAL/recap.html |title=Eighty-One! Bryant Erupts as Lakers Roll |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> |
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In that same month, Bryant also became the first player since 1964 to score 45 points or more in four consecutive games, joining Chamberlain and Baylor as the only players ever to do so.<ref>NBA.com (February 1, 2006). [http://www.nba.com/news/pom_060201.html Billups, Bryant Named Players of the Month]. Accessed May 25, 2007</ref> For the month of January, Bryant averaged 43.4 points per game,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/11123899/site/21683474/ |title=Kobe's big month sets high expectations |publisher=msnbc.com |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> the eighth highest single month scoring average in NBA history and highest for any player other than Chamberlain.<ref>http://www.authenticbasketball.com/top_players/kobe_bryant.htm</ref> By the end of the season, Bryant set Lakers single-season franchise records for most 40-point games (27) and most points scored (2,832).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/lakers/roster/0607_24bryant.html |title=LAKERS: #24 Kobe Bryant |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> He won the league's scoring title for the first time, posting a scoring average of ([[List of National Basketball Association top individual scoring season averages|35.4]]). Bryant finished in fourth place in the voting for the 2006 [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award]], but received 22 first place votes—second only to winner [[Steve Nash]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/news/nash_mvp_05-06.html |title=Suns' Steve Nash Wins Second Consecutive MVP Award |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> Later in the season, it was reported that Bryant would change his jersey number from 8 to 24 at the start of the [[2006–07 NBA season]]. Bryant's first high school number was 24 before he switched to 33.<ref name="HangUpOldJersey">{{cite web |last=Rovell |first=Darren |date=2006-04-26 |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2421874 |title=Bryant will hang up his No. 8 jersey, sources say. |accessdate=2007-05-25 |publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> After the Lakers' season ended, Bryant said on [[Turner Network Television|TNT]] that he wanted 24 as a rookie, but it was unavailable, as was 33, retired with [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]]. Bryant wore 143 at the [[Adidas|Adidas ABCD camp]], and chose 8 by adding those numbers.<ref name="HangUpOldJersey" /> |
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[[Image:Kobe Bryant Drives2.jpg|thumb|162px|Bryant scored 50 points or more in four consecutive games. Ten total in the 2006–07 season.]] |
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During the [[2006–07 NBA season|2006–07 season]], Bryant was selected to his 9th All-Star Game appearance, and on February 18, he logged 31 points, 6 assists, and 6 steals, earning his second career All-Star Game MVP trophy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/allstar2007/allstar_game/index.html |title=NBA All-Star Game |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> Over the course of the season, Bryant became involved in a number of on court incidents. On January 28 while attempting to draw contact on a potential game winning jumpshot, he flailed his arm striking [[San Antonio Spurs]] guard [[Manu Ginóbili]] in the face with his elbow.<ref name="flailed">{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2795315 |title=Bryant assessed flagrant foul for elbow in Philly |publisher=[[ESPN]].com |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> Following a league review, Bryant was suspended for the subsequent game at [[Madison Square Garden]] against the [[New York Knicks]]. The basis given for the suspension was that Bryant had performed an "unnatural motion" in swinging his arm backwards.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2748084 |title=Kobe serves suspension against Knicks |publisher=[[ESPN]].com |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> Later, on March 6, he seemed to repeat the motion, this time striking [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] guard [[Marko Jarić]].<ref name="flailed" /> On March 7, the NBA handed Bryant his second one-game suspension.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2790534 |title=Kobe serves one-game suspension against Bucks |publisher=[[ESPN]].com |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> In his first game back on March 9, he elbowed [[Kyle Korver]] in the face which was retrospectively re-classified as a Type 1 [[flagrant foul]].<ref name="flailed" /> |
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On March 16, Bryant scored a season-high 65 points in a home game against the [[Portland Trail Blazers]], which helped end the Lakers 7-game losing streak. This was the second best scoring performance of his 11-year career.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20070316/PORLAL/recap.html |title=Bryant Scores NBA Season-Best 65 in Lakers Win |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> The following game, Bryant recorded 50 points against the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20070318/MINLAL/recap.html |title=Kobe Scores 50 to Lead Lakers Past Wolves |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> after which he scored 60 points in a road win against the [[Memphis Grizzlies]]—becoming the second Laker to score three straight 50-plus point games, a feat not seen since [[Michael Jordan]] last did it in 1987.<ref name="Scoring">{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20070322/LALMEM/recap.html |title=Bryant Scores 60 as Lakers Defeat Grizzlies |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> The only other Laker to do so was [[Elgin Baylor]], who also scored 50+ in three consecutive contests in December [[1962–63 NBA season|1962]].<ref name="Scoring" /> In the following day, in a game against the New Orleans Hornets, Bryant scored 50 points, making him the second player in NBA history to have 4 straight 50 point games behind [[Wilt Chamberlain]], who is the all-time leader with seven consecutive 50 point games twice.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/ian_thomsen/03/24/kobe.50/index.html |title=Kobe's 50-point run more important because of wins |publisher=Ian Thomsen - Sports Illustrated.com |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> Bryant finished the year with a total of ten 50-plus point games,<ref>Lakers Universe. [http://www.lakersuniverse.com/kobe/top_scoring_games.htm Kobe Bryant Stats]. Accessed May 25, 2007</ref> becoming the only player beside [[Wilt Chamberlain]] in 1961–62 and 1962–63 to do so in one season. He also won his second straight scoring title that season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/statistics/player/Scoring.jsp?league=00&season=22006&conf=OVERALL&position=0&splitType=9&splitScope=GAME&qualified=N&yearsExp=-1&splitDD= |title=Statistics |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> Throughout the 2006–07 season, Bryant's jersey became the top selling NBA jersey in the United States and China.<ref>NBA.com (March 20, 2007). [http://www.nba.com/news/chinajerseys.html Kobe Bryant has Top-Selling Jersey in China]. Accessed May 25, 2007.</ref> A number of journalists have attributed the improved sales to Bryant's new number, as well as his continuing All-Star performance on the court.<ref>Oller, Rob (February 12, 2007). [http://www.dispatch.com/dispatch/contentbe/dispatch/2007/02/12/20070212-E1-01.html A star is reborn: Bryant's stats, dunks have made him marketable again]. ''The Columbus Dispatch''. Accessed May 25, 2007.</ref><ref>Denver Post (March 15, 2007). [http://www.bonham.com/NewsDetails.aspx?NID=279 For Kobe, turnaround is flair play]. ''The Bonham Group''. Accessed May 25, 2007.</ref> In the [[2007 NBA Playoffs]], the Lakers were once again eliminated in the first round by the Phoenix Suns, 4–1.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/playoffs2007/series/series_w1s2.html |title=Suns Top Lakers, Move On to Second Round |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> |
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===MVP year (2007–08)=== |
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[[File:Lakers Finals 08.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Bryant's Lakers lost to the [[Boston Celtics]] in 6 games.]] |
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On May 27, 2007, [[ESPN]] reported that Bryant stated that he wanted to be traded if [[Jerry West]] did not return to the team with full authority.<ref name="espn_kobe_west">{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2884339 |title=Kobe wants West to return to Lakers with full authority |accessdate=2007-10-16 |date=2007-05-28}}</ref> Bryant later confirmed his desire for West's return to the franchise, but denied stating that he would want to be traded if that does not occur.<ref name="espn_kobe_west_2">{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2884792 |title=Kobe says he's just suggesting West's return, not demanding it |accessdate=2007-10-16 |date=2007-05-30}}</ref> However, three days later, on [[Stephen A. Smith]]'s radio program, Bryant expressed anger over a Lakers "insider" who claimed that Bryant was responsible for [[Shaquille O'Neal]]'s departure from the team, and publicly stated, "I want to be traded." Three hours after making that statement, Bryant stated in another interview that after having a conversation with head coach [[Phil Jackson]], he has reconsidered his decision and backed off his trade request.<ref name="gazette_retracts_trade">{{cite web |url=http://www.gazette.com/sports/bryant_23036___article.html/don_phil.html |title=NBA: Kobe retracts his trade request |accessdate=2007-10-16 |date=2007-05-31}}</ref> On December 23, 2007, Bryant became the youngest player (29 years, 122 days) to reach 20,000 points, in a game against the [[New York Knicks]], in [[Madison Square Garden]].<ref>sportsillustrated.com, [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/12/23/bc.bkn.bryant.20.ap/index.html Bryant youngest to 20,000 points], accessed January 1, 2007.</ref> |
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Despite an injury to his shooting hand's small finger, described as "a complete tear of the [[Radial collateral ligament (thumb)|radial collateral ligament]], an [[avulsion fracture]], and a volar plate injury at the MCP joint" that occurred in a game on February 5, 2008, Bryant played all 82 games of the regular season instead of opting for surgery. Regarding his injury, he stated, "I would prefer to delay any surgical procedure until after our Lakers season, and this summer's Olympic Games. But, this is an injury that {{sic|myself}} and the Lakers' medical staff will just have to continue to monitor on a day-to-day basis."<ref name="injuryupdate">{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/080214kobeinjury.html?rss=true |title=KOBE BRYANT INJURY UPDATE |accessdate=2008-05-09 |date=2008-02-14}}</ref> In September 2008 Bryant decided not to have surgery to repair the injury.<ref>[http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-kobebryant Bryant: No surgery on pinkie finger], September 9, 2008</ref> |
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Leading his team to a West best 57–25 record, they swept the Nuggets in the first round and on May 6, 2008, Bryant was officially announced as the [[National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Most Valuable Player award]], his first for his career.<ref name="KobeWinsMVPbyNBA" /> He said, "It's been a long ride. I'm very proud to represent this organization, to represent this city."<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers7-2008may07,0,4349778,full.story Jerry West attends Bryant's MVP press conference], ''Los Angeles Times'', accessed May 7, 2008</ref> [[Jerry West]], who was responsible for bringing Bryant to the Lakers was on hand at the press conference to observe Bryant receive his MVP trophy from NBA commissioner David Stern. He stated, "Kobe deserved it. He's had just another great season. Doesn't surprise me one bit."<ref>[http://www.presstelegram.com/moresports/ci_9200340 Kobe's MVP award not a surprise to West], accessed May 9, 2008</ref> In addition to winning his MVP award, Bryant was the only unanimous selection to the All-NBA team on May 8, 2008 for the third straight season and sixth time in his career.<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3387097 Bryant unanimous pick for All-NBA team], ESPN, accessed May 10, 2008</ref> He would then headline the NBA All-Defensive First Team with [[Kevin Garnett]], receiving 52 points overall including 24 first-place nods, earning his eighth selection.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/news/defensive_team_080512.html?rss=true Kobe, Garnett Headline All-Defensive Team], [[NBA]], accessed January 17, 2009</ref> |
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The Lakers concluded the 2007–08 regular season with a 57–25 record, finishing first in the Western Conference and setting up themselves for a first-round contest against the Nuggets. In Game 1, Bryant, who said he made himself a decoy through most of the game, scored 18 of his 32 points in the final 8 minutes to keep Los Angeles safely ahead.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20080420/DENLAL/recap.html |title=NBA.com: Gasol Powers Lakers Past Nuggets |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-18}}</ref> That made Denver the first 50-win team to be swept out of the first round of the playoffs since the Memphis Grizzlies fell in four to the San Antonio Spurs in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/playoffs2008/series/series_w1s1.html |title=Nuggets Put Up a Fight, but Lakers Get Sweep |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-18}}</ref> In the first game of the next round against the Jazz, Bryant scored 38 points as the Lakers beat the Jazz in Game 1.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20080504/UTALAL/recap.html |title=NBA.com: Bryant Scores 38 as Lakers Beat Jazz in Game 1 |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-18}}</ref> The Lakers won the next game as well, but dropped Games 3 and 4, even with Bryant putting up 33.5 points per game.<ref name="LALUTA">{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/playoffs2008/series/series_w2s1.html |title=NBA.com: Bryant Lifts Lakers Into Conference Finals |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-18}}</ref> The Lakers then won the next two games to win the semifinals in 6.<ref name="LALUTA" /> This set up a [[NBA Conference Finals#Conference Finals 2|Western Conference Finals]] berth against the [[San Antonio Spurs]]. The Lakers defeated the Spurs in 5 games, sending themselves to the [[NBA Finals]] against the [[Boston Celtics]]. This marked the fifth time in Bryant's career and the first time without [[Shaquille O'Neal]] to go to the NBA Finals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20080529/SASLAL/gameinfo.html |title=NBA.com: Finals 2008 Spurs at Lakers Game Info |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-18}}</ref> The Lakers then lost to the Boston Celtics in [[2008 NBA Finals|6 games]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20080617/LALBOS/recap.html |title=Celtics Capture 17th NBA Title With Record Win Over Lakers |publisher=NBA.com Kobe Bryant now holds four NBA titles.|accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> |
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===Back on top (2008–09)=== |
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| caption1 = Bryant set a [[Madison Square Garden]] record with 61 points. |
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| image2 = Kobe Bryant Courtney Lee2.jpg |
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| width2 = 150 |
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| caption2 = Bryant defended by [[Courtney Lee]] of the [[Orlando Magic]] |
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}} |
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In the [[2008–09 NBA season|2008–09]] season, the Lakers opened the campaign by winning their first seven games.<ref>http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/lal/schedule?v=cal&m=11&y=2008</ref> Bryant led the team to tie the franchise record for most wins to start the season, going 17–2,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gamecenter/recap/NBA_20081207_MIL@LAL |title=Lakers equal best 19-game start in franchise history |accessdate=2009-01-25 |date=8 December 2008 |publisher=[[CBSSports.com]]}}</ref> and the Lakers went to 21–3 by the middle of December. Bryant led the Lakers to several key games against contenders for the NBA title, including a 92–83 win against Boston on an anticipated Christmas Day matchup,<ref>http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2008122513</ref> a 105–88 win against Cleveland on January 19, 2009,<ref>http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2009011913</ref> and a 6–0 road trip dating from January 30 to February 8, 2009 (which included two more respective wins over the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers).<ref>http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/lal/schedule?v=cal&m=02&y=2009</ref> As a result the Lakers remained the top seed in the Western Conference standings the entire season. |
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[[File:Kobe Trophy Parade.jpg|thumb|left|157px|Bryant at the championship parade of the [[2009 NBA Finals|2009]] [[List of NBA champions|NBA Champions]] [[Los Angeles Lakers]]]] |
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Bryant continued his dominant play in the season, earning his eleventh consecutive All-Star Game start and again positioning himself as one of the front runners for the NBA Most Valuable Player award.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/rob_peterson/02/27/kobe_tops.mvp.20090227/index.html Kobe's steady pace lands him top spot in rankings] By Rob Peterson, NBA.com - March 2, 2009 </ref> Bryant was named the Western Conference Player of the Month for December and January in addition to being named Western Conference Player of the week three times.<ref>http://www.nba.com/2009/news/01/12/players.week/</ref> In January, Bryant recorded 2 triple doubles to bring his career total to 16. These were the first two triple-doubles for Bryant since 2005.<ref>http://www.nba.com/games/20090121/LALLAC/recap.html</ref> During the [[2009 NBA All-Star Game]], Bryant who tallied 27 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals was awarded [[NBA All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] co-MVP with former teammate [[Shaquille O'Neal]] as the Western Conference All-Stars defeated their Eastern counterparts, 146–119.<ref>http://www.nba.com/2009/allstar2009/02/16/main.20090215/index.html</ref><ref>http://www.nba.com/games/20090215/ESTWST/gameinfo.html</ref> |
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Bryant also had another notable scoring season. February 2, In a road game against the [[New York Knicks]], Bryant scored 61 points on 61% shooting in a 126–117 win. Bryant's scoring outburst set a record for the most points scored at Madison Square Garden, breaking [[Bernard King]]'s record.<ref name="Garden">{{cite news|url=http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2009020218|title=Garden party: Kobe’s 61 sets MSG record|date=February 2, 2009|first=Brian|last=Mahoney|agency=Associated Press|publisher=Yahoo! Sports|accessdate=2009-09-03}}</ref> Bryant's performance was also the highest single game point total of the 2008–09 season in the NBA.<ref name="Garden"/> By season's end, Bryant had moved from 21st to 17th place on the NBA All-Time scoring list, passing (in chronological order) [[Elgin Baylor]],<ref>http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2009022216</ref> [[Adrian Dantley]],<ref>http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2009022425</ref> [[Robert Parish]],<ref>http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gamecenter/recap/NBA_20090306_MIN@LAL</ref> and [[Charles Barkley]]. |
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The Lakers finished the season first in the west with a 65–17 record, and finished second overall in the NBA. Bryant was runner-up in the MVP voting behind [[LeBron James]]. Bryant was also selected to the All-NBA First Team and All-Defensive First Team for the seventh time in his career. Due to an extended playoff run in the previous year and playing in the [[2008 Summer Olympics]], Bryant played almost 3 minutes less per game than last season. This resulted in a slight decline of most of Bryant's stats. |
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The Lakers started the playoffs on April 19, 2009 against the [[Utah Jazz]]. The Lakers won that series 4–1. In the second round, the Lakers faced the [[Houston Rockets]], prevailing in seven games, 4–3. In the third round, the Lakers faced the [[Denver Nuggets]] winning the series in six games, 4–2. The victory earned the Lakers their second straight trip to the NBA Finals and Bryant's 6th overall. The Lakers defeated the [[Orlando Magic]] in the Finals to become the 2009 NBA Champions. Bryant was awarded his first [[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Finals MVP]] trophy upon winning his fourth championship, becoming the first player since [[Jerry West]] in the [[1969 NBA Finals]] to average at least 32.4 points and 7.4 assists for a finals series<ref>http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-090615</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2009-06-15-bryant-finals-mvp_N.htm|title= Man on a mission: Bryant revels in victory, Finals MVP|date=2009-06-14|work=USA Today|accessdate=2009-06-15}}</ref> |
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and the first since [[Michael Jordan]] to average 30 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for a title-winning team in the finals.<ref>http://espndb.go.com/nba/research/profile/_/id/110/type/player/kobe-bryant</ref> |
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===2009–10 season=== |
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[[Image:Lakers White House 2010.jpg|thumb|220px|[[Derek Fisher]] (left) and Bryant (center) with [[Barack Obama]] (right) on January 25, 2010]] |
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Bryant continued to lead the defending champion Lakers as an elite team during the [[2009–10 NBA season|2009–10 season]]. Of Bryant's notable contributions in the season, Bryant made a game-winning, buzzer-beating, one-legged three point shot against the Miami Heat on December 4, 2009.<ref name="Miami">{{cite web |url=http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/11256/kobe-bryant-making-the-best-of-bad-situations |title=Kobe Bryant, making the best of bad situations |publisher=[[ESPN]].go.com |accessdate=2009-12-09}}</ref> Bryant considered the shot one of the luckiest he has made.<ref name="Miami"/> |
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Bryant suffered an avulsion fracture in his right [[index finger]] in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 11, 2009.<ref>http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2009121113</ref> Despite the injury, Kobe elected to continue playing with it, rather than take any time off to rest the injury.<ref>http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2009121113</ref> On December 16, 2009, Bryant made another game winning shot, after missing on an opportunity in regulation, this time against the Milwaukee Bucks in an overtime game.<ref>http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap;_ylt=AgS.y6ONBr1GQesWKE3tvGy8vLYF?gid=2009121615</ref> |
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On January 1, 2010, Byrant made yet another game winning buzzer-beater, this time against the Sacramento Kings.<ref>http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap;_ylt=AlPw372uPqShjYE24OAV48G8vLYF?gid=2010010113</ref> On January 21, 2010, Bryant became the youngest player (31 years, 151 days) to reach 25,000 points, in a game against the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]], in the [[Quicken Loans Arena]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=4847254 |title=Bryant joins 14 others with 25,000 points |publisher=[[ESPN]].go.com |accessdate=2010-22-10}}</ref> On January 31, 2010, Kobe made what would be the game-winning field goal against the Boston Celtics with 7.3 seconds left, leading the Lakers to comeback from an eleven point fourth quarter deficit.<ref>http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap;_ylt=Aiz4y0_CZDBjwr0jykuwGeq8vLYF?gid=2010013102</ref> On February 1, 2010, surpassed Jerry West to reach 25,208 career points as of that night.<ref>"[http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300201029 Kobe passes West as Lakers' scoring leader in loss to Grizzlies]". Associated Press. 2010-02-01. Retrieved 2009-02-02.</ref> |
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Bryant started off the season averaging a career high in field goal shooting percentage (49.3%).<ref name="Shooting">http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/john_schuhmann/01/23/numbers.game/?ls=iref:nbahpt1</ref> However between December 11 and January 23, Bryant was shooting just 43% due to injuring his finger and back.<ref name="Shooting"/> |
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==International career== |
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[[File:Kobe Bryant Beijing Olympics 20080810 d-1024-627v.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Bryant in a game against [[China men's national basketball team|China]] at the [[2008 Summer Olympics]]]] |
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{{MedalTableTop}} |
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{{MedalCountry|{{USA}}}} |
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{{MedalSport | Men's [[Basketball]]}} |
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{{MedalCompetition|[[Basketball at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]}} |
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{{MedalGold| [[2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing]] | [[Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics|Team competition]]}} |
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{{MedalCompetition|[[FIBA Americas Championship]]}} |
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{{MedalGold| [[FIBA Americas Championship 2007|2007 Las Vegas]] | [[FIBA Americas Championship 2007|Team competition]]}} |
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{{MedalBottom}} |
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Bryant's senior international career with the [[USA men's national basketball team|United States national team]] began in 2006. He was a member of the 2007 USA Men's Senior National Team and USA FIBA Americas Championship Team that finished 10–0, won gold and qualified the United States men for the 2008 Olympics. He started in all 10 of the USA's FIBA Americas Championship games. He is ranked third on the team for made and attempted free throws, ranked fourth for made field goals, made 3-pointers. Among all FIBA Americas Championship competitors, Bryant is ranked 15th in scoring, 14th in assists, and eighth in steals. Scored in double-digits in eight of 10 games. He drained the game winner on a {{convert|14|ft|m}} jumper above the foul line with second left in the game. He currently averages a .530 shooting percentage, with 16.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usabasketball.com/men_team.php?bios=bryant_kobe |title=USA Basketball |publisher=USABasketball.com |accessdate=2008-06-18}}</ref> |
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As a part of his international expansion, he is also featured in a Chinese reality TV show, called the ''Kobe Mentu'' show, which documents Chinese basketball players on different teams going through drills, preparing to play each other while Bryant gives advice and words of encouragement to the players while they practice.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kb24.com/news/article/687.html |title=Kobe Mentu |publisher=kb24.com |accessdate=2008-07-07}}</ref> |
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On June 23, 2008, he was named to the USA Men's Senior National Team for the [[2008 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=oly&id=3457017 |title=James, Bryant to lead US team |publisher=[[ESPN]].com |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> This was his first time going to the Olympics. |
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Bryant scored 20 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, along with six assists, as Team USA defeated Spain 118–107 in the [[Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics - Men#Finals|Gold Medal Game]] of the 2008 Summer Olympics on August 24, 2008, breaking their drought of Olympics gold medals dating back to the [[2000 Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Mahoney |first=Brian |url=http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/basketball/news;_ylt=AuGHmuNqSb9u8mF3f8TKyce8vLYF?slug=ap-bko-spain-us&prov=ap&type=lgns |title=US hoops back on top, beats Spain for gold medal |publisher=[[Yahoo Sports]] |date=2008-08-24 |accessdate=2008-12-06}}</ref> He averaged 15.0 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting .462 from the field in eight Olympic contests. |
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==Player profile== |
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[[Image:Kobe Bryant Shane Battier.jpg|thumb|150px|Bryant shoots over [[Shane Battier]].]] |
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Bryant is a [[shooting guard]] who is capable of playing the [[small forward]] position. He is considered one of the most complete players in the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]<ref name="hh">HoopsHype.com. [http://hoopshype.com/players/kobe_bryant.htm NBA Players – Kobe Bryant]. Accessed May 8, 2007</ref><ref name="ESPN">http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-GreatestSGs</ref> has been selected to every All-NBA Team since 1999, and has been featured in the last eleven NBA All-Star games.<ref name="bio" /> Sports writers and sports casters have frequently compared Bryant to [[Michael Jordan]], a comparison he does not like being made.<ref>http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=1270487&type=columnist</ref> In 2007, an [[ESPN]] poll of sportswriters voted him as the second best shooting guard in NBA history behind Jordan.<ref name="ESPN"/> He is a prolific scorer, averaging 25.1 points per game for his career, along with 4.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals.<ref>{{cite web |last=NBA Staff |url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/kobe_bryant/career_stats.html |title=Kobe Bryant Career Stats Page |publisher=NBA.com |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> He is known for his ability to create shots for himself. He shares the single-game NBA record for three pointers made with twelve.<ref>{{cite web |last=NBA Staff |url=http://www.nba.com/history/records/regular_3ptfg.html |title=Regular Season Records: Three-Point Field Goals |publisher=nba.com/history |accessdate=2008-08-05}}</ref> Bryant is often cited as one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA,<ref>http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2006-01-23-100-points_x.htm</ref> though his 45.5% career field goal average is considered moderate. He utilizes his speed and athletic ability to elude defenders to finish at the basket. Aside from this, he is also a standout defender, having made the All-Defensive first and second team nine of the last ten seasons.<ref name="bio" /> Both [[TNT (TV channel)|TNT]] and [[Sporting News]] named Bryant the ''NBA Player of the Decade'' for 2000-09<ref>http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/sports/kobe-bryant-elected-as-the-nba-player-of-the-decade_100320608.html</ref><ref>http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/article/2009-09-24/sporting-news-nba-athlete-decade-kobe-bryant-sg-lakers</ref> |
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==Personal life== |
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In November 1999, 21-year-old Bryant met 17-year-old Vanessa Laine while she was working as a background dancer on the [[Tha Eastsidaz]] music video "G'd Up".<ref name="rap">{{cite web |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20060219203516/http://www.eonline.com/On/Holly/Shows/Bryant/facts.html |title=Everything You Need to Know About Kobe Bryant |accessdate=2007-10-16}} – Wayback Machine cache from 2006-02-19</ref> Bryant was in the building working on his debut musical album, which was never released. The two began dating and became engaged just six months later in May 2000,<ref name="rap" /> while Laine was still a senior at [[Marina High School]] in [[Huntington Beach, California]]. To avoid media scrutiny, she finished high school through independent study.<ref name="rap" /> According to Vanessa's cousin Laila Laine, there was no [[prenuptial agreement]]. Vanessa said Bryant "''loved her too much for one''".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20070406105500/http://allstarz.hollywood.com/kobe/vanessa02.htm |author=Shawn Hubler |title=Kobe's costar Vanessa Laine was just another sheltered teenager in Orange County. Then she fell in love with a phenomenon. |accessdate=2007-10-16}} – Wayback Machine cache from 2007-04-06</ref> |
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They married on April 18, 2001 in [[Dana Point, California]]. Neither Bryant's parents, his two sisters, longtime advisor and agent Arn Tellem, nor Bryant's Laker teammates attended. Bryant's parents were opposed to the marriage for a number of reasons. Reportedly Bryant's parents had problems with him marrying so young, especially to a woman who was not African-American.<ref name="rap" /> This disagreement resulted in an estrangement period of over two years, which ended when Bryant had his first daughter. |
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The Bryants' first child, a daughter named Natalia Diamante Bryant, was born on January 19, 2003. The birth of Natalia influenced Bryant to reconcile his differences with his parents. Vanessa Bryant suffered a [[miscarriage]] due to an [[ectopic pregnancy]] in the spring of 2005. Their second daughter, Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant, was born on May 1, 2006. Gianna was born six minutes ahead of former teammate [[Shaquille O'Neal]]'s daughter Me'arah Sanaa, who was born in [[Florida]].<ref>Contact Music. [http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/shaq%20is%20a%20dad%20six%20minutes%20after%20kobe_02_05_2006 Shaq is a Dad Six Minutes After Kobe]. Accessed May 25, 2007.</ref> In an early 2007 interview, it was revealed that Bryant still speaks [[Italian language|Italian]] fluently.<ref name="italy" /> |
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===Sexual assault allegation=== |
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{{Main|Kobe Bryant sexual assault case}} |
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In the summer of 2003, the sheriff's office of [[Eagle, Colorado]] arrested Bryant in connection with an investigation of a [[sexual assault]] complaint filed by 19-year old hotel employee Katelyn Faber. Bryant had checked into The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera hotel in Eagle, Colorado in advance of undergoing knee surgery nearby. Faber accused Bryant of raping her in his hotel room the night before Bryant was to have the procedure. Bryant admitted an adulterous sexual encounter with his accuser, but denied her sexual assault allegation.<ref>{{cite news |last=SI Staff |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2003/basketball/nba/12/26/kobe.interview.ap/index.html?cnn-yes |date=2003-12-23 |title=Bryant distracted, scared amid sex assault case |work=[[Associated Press]] |publisher=[[Sports Illustrated]] |accessdate=2007-02-25 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/2004-02-12-shaq-kobe_x.htm |title=Shaq, Kobe still main keys to Lakers' fortunes |first=David Leon |last=Moore |date=2004-02-12 |work=[[USA Today]] |accessdate=2007-02-25 }}</ref> |
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The accusation tarnished Bryant's reputation, as the public's perception of Bryant plummeted, and his endorsement contracts with [[McDonald's]] and [[Nutella]] were terminated. Sales for Bryant's replica jersey fell significantly from their previous highs.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,143646,00.html</ref> |
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However, in September 2004 the assault case was dropped by prosecutors after Faber refused to testify in the trial. Afterward, Bryant agreed to apologize to Faber for the incident, including his public [[mea culpa]]: "Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did."<ref name="sfgate_dismissal">{{cite web |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/09/02/MNG6E8IB861.DTL |title=Bryant rape case ends in dismissal |author=T.R. Reid |date=2004-09-02 |accessdate=2007-10-16}}</ref> Faber filed a separate civil lawsuit against Bryant, which the two sides ultimately settled with the specific terms of the settlement being undisclosed to the public. |
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==Endorsements== |
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[[Image:KobeBryantHK.jpg|thumb|152px|Bryant in [[Hong Kong]] for his 2009 Nike Asian Tour]] |
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Before starting the [[1996–97 NBA season]], Bryant signed a 6-year contract with [[Adidas]] worth approximately $48 million.<ref>http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-7226901_ITM</ref><ref>http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-8828547_ITM</ref> His first signature shoe was the Equipment KB 8.<ref>http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/article/35398</ref> Bryant's other earlier endorsements included deals with [[The Coca-Cola Company]] to endorse their [[Sprite (soft drink)|Sprite]] soft drink, appearing in advertisements for [[McDonald's]], promoting [[Spalding (sports equipment)|Spalding]]'s new NBA Infusion Ball, [[Upper Deck Company|Upper Deck]], Italian chocolate company [[Ferrero SpA]]'s brand [[Nutella]], [[Russell Corporation]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Badenhausen |first=Kurt |url=http://www.forbes.com/2004/09/03/cz_kb_0903kobe.html |title=Kobe Bryant's Sponsorship Will Rebound |publisher=[[Forbes]] |date=2004-03-09 |accessdate=2008-12-06}}</ref> and appearing on his own series of video games by [[Nintendo]]. Many companies like McDonald's and Ferrero SpA terminated his contracts when rape allegations against him became public.<ref>http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/22/sports/sp-kobe22</ref> A notable exception was [[Nike, Inc.]], who had signed him to a 5-year, $40–45 million contract just before the incident.<ref>http://advertising.about.com/od/kobebryant/a/bryantsendorse.htm</ref><ref name="Nike">http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-07-10-kobe-bryant_x.htmM</ref> However, they refused to use his image or market a new shoe of his for the year. |
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He has since resumed endorsement deals with [[The Coca-Cola Company]], through their subsidiary [[Energy Brands]] to promote their Vitamin Water brand of drinks.<ref>http://www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2008/05/12/endorsements-coming-back-to-kobe-bryant/</ref> Bryant was also the cover athlete for [[NBA 07|NBA '07: Featuring the Life Vol. 2]] and appeared in a commercial for the video game [[Guitar Hero World Tour]] with [[Tony Hawk]], [[Michael Phelps]], and [[Alex Rodriguez]] in 2008. Nike held onto Bryant and eventually did start promoting Bryant once his image was back up 2 years later.<ref name="Nike" /> |
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In 2008 Bryant completed a pair of [[viral video]]s showing him doing dangerous stunts to promote Nike's Hyper Dunk shoes. The first showed Bryant jumping over a speeding [[Aston Martin]] and the second one showed Bryant with the crew of ''[[Jackass (TV series)|Jackass]]'' jumping over a pool of snakes. Both videos received over 4.5 million views each on [[YouTube]]. Bryant later hinted that the stunts were fake, as actually doing them would violate his contract with the Lakers by participating in dangerous activities. After promoting Nike's Hyperdunk shoes, Bryant came out with the fourth edition of his signature line by Nike, the Zoom Kobe IV. In 2010 Nike launched another shoe, Nike Zoom Kobe V.<ref>http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2711325/</ref> In 2009, Bryant signed a deal with Nubeo to market the "Black Mamba collection", a line of sports/luxury watches that range from $25,000 to $285,000.<ref>http://www.upscalehype.com/2009/10/kobe-bryant-wearing-nubeo-black-mamba-mvp-watch/</ref> |
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On February 9, 2009, Bryant was featured on the cover of [[ESPN The Magazine]]. However, it wasn't for anything basketball related, rather it was about Bryant being a big fan of [[FC Barcelona]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/fanIssue |title=Kobe Bryant ESPN The Magazine Fan Issue|accessdate=2009-05-15 | publisher=ESPN The Magazine}}</ref> [[CNN]] estimated Bryant's endorsement deals in 2007 to be worth $16 million a year.<ref>http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/fortune/0711/gallery.endorsements.fortune/6.html</ref> In 2009, Kobe was tied with Michael Jordan for second in [[Forbes]]' list of the world's highest-paid athletes with $45 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/17/top-earning-athletes-business-sports-top-earning-athletes.html|title=The world’s highest-paid athletes|publisher=Forbes|accessdate=2009-06-18}}</ref> |
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Video game cover athlete: |
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* [[Kobe Bryant in NBA Courtside]]<ref>http://www.mobygames.com/game/kobe-bryant-in-nba-courtside</ref> |
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* [[NBA Courtside 2: Featuring Kobe Bryant]]<ref>http://archives.cnn.com/1999/TECH/computing/12/08/courtside2/index.html</ref> |
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* [[NBA Courtside 2002]]<ref>http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/cube/nbacourtside2002#critics</ref> |
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* NBA 3 On 3 Featuring Kobe Bryant<ref>http://www.gamespot.com/gbc/sports/nba3on3featuringkb/index.html</ref> |
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* [[NBA 07|NBA '07: Featuring the Life Vol. 2]]<ref>http://www.us.playstation.com/Content/OGS/UCUS-98644/Site/</ref> |
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* [[NBA '09: The Inside]]<ref>http://www.dailygame.net/news/archives/008110.php</ref> |
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* [[NBA 2K10]] |
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==NBA career statistics== |
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{{NBA player statistics legend}} |
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===Regular season=== |
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{{NBA player statistics start}} |
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|- |
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| align="left" | {{nbay|1996}} |
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| align="left" | [[Los Angeles Lakers|L.A. Lakers]] |
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| 71 || 6 || 15.5 || .417 || .375 || .819 || 1.9 || 1.3 || .7 || .3 || 7.6 |
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|- |
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| align="left" | {{nbay|1997}} |
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| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
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| 79 || 1 || 26.0 || .428 || .341 || .794 || 3.1 || 2.5 || .9 || .5 || 15.4 |
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|- |
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| align="left" | {{nbay|1998}} |
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| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
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| 50 || 50 || 37.9 || .465 || .267 || .839 || 5.3 || 3.8 || 1.4 || '''1.0''' || 19.9 |
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|- |
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| align="left" | {{nbay|1999|trunc=y}} |
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| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
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| 66 || 62 || 38.2 || .468 || .319 || .821 || 6.3 || 4.9 || 1.6 || .9 || 22.5 |
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|- |
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| align="left" | {{nbay|2000}} |
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| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
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| 68 || 68 || 40.9 || .464 || .305 || .853 || 5.9 || 5.0 || 1.7 || .6 || 28.5 |
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|- |
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| align="left" | {{nbay|2001}} |
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| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
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| 80 || 80 || 38.3 || '''.469''' || .250 || .829 || 5.5 || 5.5 || 1.5 || .4 || 25.2 |
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|- |
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| align="left" | {{nbay|2002}} |
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| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
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| '''82''' || '''82''' || '''41.5''' || .451 || '''.383''' || .843 || '''6.9''' || 5.9 || '''2.2''' || .8 || 30.0 |
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|- |
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| align="left" | {{nbay|2003}} |
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| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
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| 65 || 64 || 37.6 || .438 || .327 || .852 || 5.5 || 5.1 || 1.7 || .4 || 24.0 |
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|- |
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| align="left" | {{nbay|2004}} |
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| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
|||
| 66 || 66 || 40.7 || .433 || .339 || .816 || 5.9 || '''6.0''' || 1.3 || .8 || 27.6 |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="left" | {{nbay|2005}} |
|||
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
|||
| 80 || 80 || 41.0 || .450 || .347 || .850 || 5.3 || 4.5 || 1.8 || .4 || '''35.4''' |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="left" | {{nbay|2006}} |
|||
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
|||
| 77 || 77 || 40.8 || .463 || .344 || '''.868''' || 5.7 || 5.4 || 1.4 || .5 || 31.6 |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="left" | {{nbay|2007}} |
|||
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
|||
| '''82''' || '''82''' || 38.9 || .459 || .361 || .840 || 6.3 || 5.4 || 1.8 || .5 || 28.3 |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="left" | {{nbay|2008}} |
|||
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
|||
| '''82''' || '''82''' || 36.1 || .467 || .351 || .856 || 5.2 || 4.9 || 1.5 || .4 || 26.8 |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="left" | Career |
|||
| align="left" | |
|||
| 948 || 800 || 36.4 || .455 || .341 || .840 || 5.3 || 4.6 || 1.5 || .5 || 25.1 |
|||
|- |
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| align="left" | All-Star |
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| align="left" | |
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| 11 || 11 || 27.1 || .503 || .354 || .778 || 4.5 || 4.6 || 2.7 || .4 || 18.8 |
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{{end box}} |
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===Playoffs=== |
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{{NBA player statistics start}} |
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|- |
|||
| align="left" | [[1997 NBA Playoffs|1996–97]] |
|||
| align="left" | [[Los Angeles Lakers|L.A. Lakers]] |
|||
| 9 || 0 || 14.8 || .382 || .261 || .867 || 1.2 || 1.2 || .3 || .2 || 8.2 |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="left" | [[1998 NBA Playoffs|1997–98]] |
|||
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
|||
| 11 || 0 || 20.0 || .408 || .214 || .689 || 1.9 || 1.5 || .3 || .7 || 8.7 |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="left" | [[1999 NBA Playoffs|1998–99]] |
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| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
|||
| 8 || 8 || 39.4 || .430 || .348 || .800 || 6.9 || 4.6 || '''1.9''' || 1.2 || 19.8 |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="left" | [[2000 NBA Playoffs|1999–00]] |
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| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
|||
| 22 || 22 || 39.0 || .442 || .344 || .754 || 4.5 || 4.4 || 1.5 || '''1.5''' || 21.1 |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="left" | [[2001 NBA Playoffs|2000–01]] |
|||
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
|||
| 16 || 16 || 43.4 || .469 || .324 || .821 || '''7.3''' || '''6.1''' || 1.6 || .8 || 29.4 |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="left" | [[2002 NBA Playoffs|2001–02]] |
|||
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
|||
| 19 || 19 || 43.8 || .434 || .379 || .759 || 5.8 || 4.6 || 1.4 || .9 || 26.6 |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="left" | [[2003 NBA Playoffs|2002–03]] |
|||
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
|||
| 12 || 12 || 44.3 || .432 || '''.403''' || .827 || 5.1 || 5.2 || 1.2 || .1 || 32.1 |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="left" | [[2004 NBA Playoffs|2003–04]] |
|||
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
|||
| 22 || 22 || 44.2 || .413 || .247 || .813 || 4.7 || 5.5 || '''1.9''' || .3 || 24.5 |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="left" | [[2006 NBA Playoffs|2005–06]] |
|||
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
|||
| 7 || 7 || '''44.9''' || '''.497''' || .400 || .771 || 6.3 || 5.1 || 1.1 || .4 || 27.9 |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="left" | [[2007 NBA Playoffs|2006–07]] |
|||
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
|||
| 5 || 5 || 43.0 || .462 || .357 || '''.919''' || 5.2 || 4.4 || 1.0 || .4 || '''32.8''' |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="left" | [[2008 NBA Playoffs|2007–08]] |
|||
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
|||
| 21 || 21 || 41.1 || .479 || .302 || .809 || 5.7 || 5.6 || 1.7 || .4 || 30.1 |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="left" | [[2009 NBA Playoffs|2008–09]] |
|||
| align="left" | L.A. Lakers |
|||
| '''23''' || '''23''' || 40.8 || .457 || .349 || .883 || 5.3 || 5.5 || 1.7 || .9 || 30.2 |
|||
|- |
|||
| align="left" | Career |
|||
| align="left" | |
|||
| 175 || 155 || 39.4 || .447 || .329 || .811 || 5.1 || 4.7 || 1.4 || .7 || 25.0 |
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{{end box}} |
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==Accomplishments and records== |
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{{Main|List of career achievements by Kobe Bryant}} |
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==See also== |
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* [[Kobe Bryant (song)]] |
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* [[Kobe Doin' Work]] |
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* [[List of active NBA players who have spent their entire career with one team]] |
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* [[List of forty-plus point games by Kobe Bryant]] |
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* [[List of National Basketball Association career scoring leaders]] |
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* [[List of National Basketball Association players with 60 or more points in a game]] |
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* [[List of National Basketball Association season scoring leaders]] |
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* [[List of National Basketball Association top individual scoring season averages]] |
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==Notes== |
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{{reflist|2}} |
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==External links== |
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{{sisterlinks|author=yes|wikt=no|v=no|b=no|s=no}} |
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* [http://kb24.com Official Site] |
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* [http://www.nba.com/playerfile/kobe_bryant/index.html Player Profile] at NBA.com |
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* {{espn nba|id=3118|name=Player Profile}} |
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* {{imdb name|id=1101483}} |
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* [http://www.nba.com/news/kobe_ultimate.html NBA.com – The Ultimate Kobe Page] |
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* [http://videos.espn.com/basketball/la-lakers/kobe-bryant.htm Kobe Bryant Video on ESPN Video Archive] |
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* [http://multimedia.foxsports.com/basketball/la-lakers/kobe-bryant.htm Kobe Bryant Video on FoxSports Video Archive] |
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<!--Navigation boxes--> |
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{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-ach}}}} |
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{{succession box | title=[[NBA Finals]] [[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]] | before=[[Paul Pierce]] | years=[[2009 NBA Finals|2009]]| after=Incumbent}} |
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{{succession box | title=[[National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player Award]] | before=[[Dirk Nowitzki]] | years={{nbay|2007}}| after=[[LeBron James]]}} |
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{{succession box|title=[[National Basketball Association All-Star Game|NBA All-Star Game]]<br />[[NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]] | before=[[Allen Iverson]]<br />[[LeBron James]]<br />[[LeBron James]] | years=[[2002 NBA All-Star Game|2002]]<br />[[2007 NBA All-Star Game|2007]]<br />[[2009 NBA All-Star Game|2009]] <br />'''co-awardee with [[Shaquille O'Neal]]'''| after=[[Kevin Garnett]]<br />[[LeBron James]]<br />[[Dwyane Wade]]}} |
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{{succession box|title=[[National Basketball Association]]<br /> [[List of National Basketball Association season scoring leaders|scoring champion]]|before=[[Allen Iverson]]|after=[[LeBron James]]|years={{nbay|2005}}, {{nbay|2006}}}} |
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{{Succession box | title= [[NBA Slam Dunk Contest|NBA Slam Dunk Contest Champion]] | before = [[Brent Barry]] | years= 1997 | after= [[Vince Carter]]}} |
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{{s-end}} |
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{{1996 NBA Draft}} |
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{{Los Angeles Lakers}} |
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{{Los Angeles Lakers current roster}} |
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{{Los Angeles Lakers 1999–2000 NBA champions}} |
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{{Los Angeles Lakers 2000–01 NBA champions}} |
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{{Los Angeles Lakers 2001–02 NBA champions}} |
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{{Los Angeles Lakers 2008–09 NBA champions}} |
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{{United States Men Basketball Squad 2008 Summer Olympics}} |
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{{NBA Finals MVPs}} |
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{{NBA MVP's}} |
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{{NBA All-Star Game MVP Award}} |
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{{Slam Dunk Contest Winners}} |
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{{NBA scoring champion}} |
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{{NBA Courtside series}} |
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{{2K-Sports-NBA-series}} |
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{{Gatorade National Basketball Player of the Year}} |
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}} |
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{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] --> |
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| NAME=Bryant, Kobe Bean |
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| ALTERNATIVE NAMES= |
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| SHORT DESCRIPTION=Professional basketball player |
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| DATE OF BIRTH=August 23, 1978 |
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| PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[United States]] |
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| DATE OF DEATH= |
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| PLACE OF DEATH= |
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}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bryant, Kobe}} |
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[[Category:Kobe Bryant]] |
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[[Category:1978 births]] |
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[[Category:African American basketball players]] |
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[[Category:American expatriates in Italy]] |
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[[Category:Basketball players at the 2008 Summer Olympics]] |
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[[Category:Basketball players from Pennsylvania]] |
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[[Category:Charlotte Hornets draft picks]] |
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[[Category:Gatorade National Basketball Player of the Year]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:Los Angeles Lakers players]] |
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[[Category:McDonald's High School All-Americans]] |
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[[Category:National Basketball Association high school draftees]] |
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[[Category:NBA Slam Dunk Contest champions]] |
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[[Category:NBA Finals MVP Award winners]] |
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[[Category:Olympic basketball players of the United States]] |
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[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States]] |
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[[Category:People from Newport Beach, California]] |
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[[Category:People from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]] |
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[[Category:Sex scandal figures]] |
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[[Category:Shooting guards]] |
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[[Category:United States men's national basketball team members]] |
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{{Link FA|hr}} |
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[[ar:كوبي براينت]] |
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[[bn:কোবি ব্রায়ান্ট]] |
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[[bs:Kobe Bryant]] |
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[[bg:Коби Брайънт]] |
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[[ru:Брайант, Коби]] |
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[[zh-yue:高比拜仁]] |
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[[zh:科比·布莱恩特]] |
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Revision as of 01:15, 23 February 2010
 Bryant on January 25, 2010 | |
| No. 24 – Los Angeles Lakers | |
|---|---|
| Position | Shooting guard |
| League | NBA |
| Personal information | |
| Born | August 23, 1978 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Listed weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Lower Merion HS, Lower Merion, Pennsylvania |
| NBA draft | 1996: 13th overall |
| Selected by the Charlotte Hornets | |
| Playing career | 1996–present |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| 4× NBA Champion (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009) NBA Finals MVP (2009) NBA Most Valuable Player (2008) 12× NBA All-Star (1998, 2000–2010) 2× NBA Scoring Champion (2006–2007) 7× All-NBA First Team (2002–2004, 2006–2009) 2× All-NBA Second Team (2000–2001) 2× All-NBA Third Team (1999, 2005) 7× All-Defensive First Team (2000, 2003–2004, 2006–2009) 2× All-Defensive Second Team (2001–2002) NBA All-Rookie Second Team (1997) 3× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2002, 2007, 2009) NBA Slam Dunk Champion (1997) Naismith Prep Player of the Year (1996) | |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Kobe Bean Bryant (born August 23, 1978) is an American shooting guard who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career and made instant headlines when he decided to go directly into the NBA upon graduation. He was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant and then-teammate Shaquille O'Neal led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002. After O'Neal's departure following the 2003–04 season, Bryant became the cornerstone of the Lakers franchise. He led the NBA in scoring during the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons.[2] In 2006, Bryant scored a career high 81 points against the Toronto Raptors, the second highest number of points scored in a single game in NBA history,[3] tag