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Bryant Joins the NBA Right Out of High School
Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images
02of 14The Dynamic (and Controversial) DuoKobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in 1997.Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/GettyThe Lakers' trade for Bryant matched the rookie with their superstar center Shaquille O’Neal, creating a tandem that would be riveting for fans on the court, and off of it. While Bryant and O’Neal would have success, their relationshipwould soon turn into a rivalry.
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The Dynamic (and Controversial) Duo
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in 1997.Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty
The Lakers' trade for Bryant matched the rookie with their superstar center Shaquille O’Neal, creating a tandem that would be riveting for fans on the court, and off of it. While Bryant and O’Neal would have success, their relationshipwould soon turn into a rivalry.
03of 14The Airball Gameince Bucci/AFP/GettyBryant, in his first season in the NBA, was prepared to make a name for himself on the big stage. His first chance came when the Lakers were down in the final minutes of the Western Conference semifinals against the Utah Jazz in 1997.Bryant — who would later be known for his scoring abilities — famouslyshot four airballswith the game on the line, and the Lakers were eliminated. “I look back at it now with fond memories of it. Back then, it was misery,” Bryantlatersaid. “It helped shape me.”
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The Airball Game
ince Bucci/AFP/Getty
Bryant, in his first season in the NBA, was prepared to make a name for himself on the big stage. His first chance came when the Lakers were down in the final minutes of the Western Conference semifinals against the Utah Jazz in 1997.
Bryant — who would later be known for his scoring abilities — famouslyshot four airballswith the game on the line, and the Lakers were eliminated. “I look back at it now with fond memories of it. Back then, it was misery,” Bryantlatersaid. “It helped shape me.”
04of 14The “Three-Peat” ChampionshipsWally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/GettyBryant would soon make the “airball game” a distant memory when he and O’Neal helped to lead the Lakers to three championships in a row from 2000 to 2002. Bryant’s Lakers team is still the last team to accomplish such a feat.
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The “Three-Peat” Championships
Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/Getty
Bryant would soon make the “airball game” a distant memory when he and O’Neal helped to lead the Lakers to three championships in a row from 2000 to 2002. Bryant’s Lakers team is still the last team to accomplish such a feat.
05of 14Bryant Faces Sexual Assault AllegationsSteve Grayson/WireImageIn 2003, Bryant wasaccused of sexual assault following an incident in Colorado. The legal proceedings lasted more than a year, but the case never went to trial after the womanopted not to testifyand the charges were dropped.Bryant would address thepublic during a press conferencewhile seated next to his wife, Vanessa Bryant. The accusations would remain a talking point throughout Bryant’s career.
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Bryant Faces Sexual Assault Allegations
Steve Grayson/WireImage
In 2003, Bryant wasaccused of sexual assault following an incident in Colorado. The legal proceedings lasted more than a year, but the case never went to trial after the womanopted not to testifyand the charges were dropped.
Bryant would address thepublic during a press conferencewhile seated next to his wife, Vanessa Bryant. The accusations would remain a talking point throughout Bryant’s career.
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The 81-Point Game
Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty
“You’re sitting and watching, and it’s like a miracle unfolding in front of your eyes and you can’t accept it,” then-team ownerJerry Buss said of the performance.
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“The Black Mamba”
Kobe Bryant in March 2007.Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images
After the switch, Bryant adopted his now-famous nickname, the Black Mamba.
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Wins Back-to-Back Titles (Without Shaq)
Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images
After winning his fifth, and final, NBA championship, Bryant famously told reporters, “I just gotone more than Shaq!”
O’Neal would win one other championship, with the Miami Heat, after he was traded from the Lakers in 2004.
09of 14Makes Two Free Throws After Tearing Achilles TendonRobert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/GettyBryant had suffered a number of injuries over his two-decade career, but none was more devastating than tearing his Achilles tendon in April 2013.With just minutes to go in the fourth quarter of a game against the Golden State Warriors, Bryant fell to the ground after he was fouled. His Achilles tendon was torn, and his season was over.But, before Bryant headed back to the locker room, he stood at the free throw line, in pain,and made two shots.
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Makes Two Free Throws After Tearing Achilles Tendon
Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/Getty
Bryant had suffered a number of injuries over his two-decade career, but none was more devastating than tearing his Achilles tendon in April 2013.
With just minutes to go in the fourth quarter of a game against the Golden State Warriors, Bryant fell to the ground after he was fouled. His Achilles tendon was torn, and his season was over.
But, before Bryant headed back to the locker room, he stood at the free throw line, in pain,and made two shots.
10of 14Scores 60 Points in Final Game of CareerHarry How/GettyIn the final game of his career on April 13, 2016, Bryant stunned NBA fans across the world when he scored 60 points at age 37.“There were a lot of points [during the game] when I started getting emotional,” Bryantsaid of soaking in the moment at the time. “I was putting on the jersey and I was like ‘this is the last time I’m putting on the jersey.' "
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Scores 60 Points in Final Game of Career
Harry How/Getty
In the final game of his career on April 13, 2016, Bryant stunned NBA fans across the world when he scored 60 points at age 37.
“There were a lot of points [during the game] when I started getting emotional,” Bryantsaid of soaking in the moment at the time. “I was putting on the jersey and I was like ‘this is the last time I’m putting on the jersey.' "
11of 14Family FirstAllen Berezovsky/GettyBryant had immense drive in his professional career as an athlete, but his proudest accomplishment was his family with wife Vanessa and their four daughters Natalia, born Jan. 19, 2003, Gianna, born May 1, 2006, Bianka, born Dec. 5, 2016, and Capri, born June 20, 2019.
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Family First
Allen Berezovsky/Getty
Bryant had immense drive in his professional career as an athlete, but his proudest accomplishment was his family with wife Vanessa and their four daughters Natalia, born Jan. 19, 2003, Gianna, born May 1, 2006, Bianka, born Dec. 5, 2016, and Capri, born June 20, 2019.
12of 14Becomes First NBA Champion to Win an OscarKevin Winter/GettyIn 2018, Bryant took home theOscar for best animated shortforDear Basketball.Bryant wrote and narrated the movie, which came from a poem he wrote about his retirement from the sport.
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Becomes First NBA Champion to Win an Oscar
Kevin Winter/Getty
In 2018, Bryant took home theOscar for best animated shortforDear Basketball.Bryant wrote and narrated the movie, which came from a poem he wrote about his retirement from the sport.
13of 14Tragic EndHarry How/GettyBryantdied at age 41 in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California,along with eight other people on Jan. 26 —including his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna.The father-daughter pair were reportedly on their way to her basketball game at the Mamba Academy, and the other passengers were another player and her parents.
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Tragic End
Bryantdied at age 41 in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California,along with eight other people on Jan. 26 —including his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna.
The father-daughter pair were reportedly on their way to her basketball game at the Mamba Academy, and the other passengers were another player and her parents.
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Uses Retirement to Promote Girl’s Basketball and Pass on Legacy
Gianna Bryant, Kobe Bryant.Allen Berezovsky/Getty
Bryant regularly appeared at WNBA and women’s college games, which brought much-needed attention to the sport. He also tried to bestow his knowledge on his late daughter, Gianna, who was an aspiring basketball player.
source: people.com
