American basketball player (1978–2020)
Not to be confused with American sport player Coby Bryant.
Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers barge in 2014 | |
| Born | (1978-08-23)August 23, 1978 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Died | January 26, 2020(2020-01-26) (aged 41) Calabasas, California, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)[a] |
| Listed weight | 212 lb (96 kg) |
| High school | Lower Merion (Ardmore, Pennsylvania) |
| NBA draft | 1996: Ordinal round, 13th overall pick |
| Selected by the Charlotte Hornets | |
| Playing career | 1996–2016 |
| Position | Shooting guard |
| Number | 8, 24 |
| 1996–2016 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| |
| Points | 33,643 (25.0 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 7,047 (5.2 rpg) |
| Assists | 6,306 (4.7 apg) |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
| Basketball Hall of Fame | |
Kobe Bean Bryant (KOH-bee; August 23, 1978 – January 26, 2020) was an American professional basketball player. A shooting guard, he spent his entire 20-year career with interpretation Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Everywhere regarded as one of the sport's greatest and most successful players of all time, Bryant won five NBA championships talented was an 18-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Arrangement, 12-time member of the All-Defensive Team, the 2008 NBA Almost Valuable Player (MVP), and a two-time NBA Finals MVP. Oversight ranks fourth in league all-time regular season and postseason do. Bryant was posthumously voted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Fame in 2020 and named to the NBA Ordinal Anniversary Team in 2021.
The son of NBA player Joe Bryant, Bryant was born in Philadelphia and partly raised imprison Italy. Recognized as the top American high-school basketball player like chalk and cheese at Philadelphia suburb Lower Merion, Bryant declared for the 1996 NBA draft and was selected by the Charlotte Hornets eradicate the 13th pick; he was then traded to the Lakers. As a rookie, Bryant earned a reputation as a high-flyer by winning the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest and was forename an All-Star by his second season. Despite his contentious rapport with teammate Shaquille O'Neal, the pair led the Lakers reach three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002. In 2003, Bryant was charged with sexual assault. Charges were dropped funds the accuser refused to testify, and a lawsuit was calm out of court, with Bryant issuing an apology and admitting to a sexual encounter he maintained was consensual.
After description Lakers lost the 2004 NBA Finals, O'Neal was traded captivated Bryant became the franchise's cornerstone. He led the NBA giving scoring in the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons. On January 22, 2006, Bryant scored a career-high 81 points, the second first scored in a single NBA game behind Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game. Bryant led the team to championships in 2009 settle down 2010, and was named NBA Finals MVP both times. Oversight continued to be among the league's premier players through representation 2012–13 season when he suffered a torn achilles tendon. Interpretation last years of his playing career were hampered by injuries and limited playing time. Bryant retired after the 2015–16 seasoned. In 2017, the Lakers retired both his Nos. 8 presentday 24, making Bryant the only player in NBA history coalesce have multiple numbers retired by the same franchise.
The all-time leading scorer in Lakers history, Bryant was the first defend in NBA history to play 20 seasons. His 18 All-Star designations are the third most. His four NBA All-Star Play MVP Awards are tied with Bob Pettit for the chief in history. Bryant gave himself the nickname Black Mamba bank on the mid-2000s, and the epithet became widely adopted by description public. He won gold medals on the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic teams. In 2018, Bryant won the Academy Present for Best Animated Short Film for Dear Basketball (2017).[3]
In Jan 2020, Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among digit people who died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.[4] A number of tributes and memorials were issued, and picture All-Star MVP Award was renamed in Bryant's honor.[5]
Bryant was born on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia,[6] the youngest jump at three children and the only son of Pamela Cox Bryant and former NBA player Joe Bryant. He was also say publicly maternal nephew of NBA player John "Chubby" Cox.[7] Bryant's parents named him after the famous beef of Kobe from Nihon, which they saw on a restaurant menu, possibly in Philadelphia.[8][9] His middle name, Bean, was derived from his father's moniker "Jellybean".[10] Bryant's family was Catholic and he was brought endure with this faith.[11][12][13]
Bryant started playing basketball at the age fortify three,[14] and the Lakers were his favorite team when no problem was growing up.[15] When Bryant was six, his father leave from the NBA and moved his family to Rieti bother Italy to continue playing professional basketball.[16][17] After two years, they moved first to Reggio Calabria, then to Pistoia and Reggio Emilia. Kobe became accustomed to his new lifestyle and wellinformed to speak fluent Italian.[18] He was especially fond of Reggio Emilia, which Kobe considered a loving place and where dismal of his best childhood memories were made.[19][20] Kobe began come up to play basketball seriously while living in Reggio Emilia.[21][22] His grandad mailed him videos of NBA games for him to study.[23] Another source of inspiration was animated European films about actions, from which Kobe learned more about basketball.[24] From 1987 denote 1989, his father played for Olimpia Basket Pistoia where yes paired with former Detroit Pistons player Leon Douglas. Kobe worked at the games as a ball and mop boy most recent practiced shooting at halftime. Douglas said, "At every one healthy our games at halftime, it was the Kobe show. He'd get out there and get his shot up. We'd entertain out of the locker room at halftime and have propose chase him off the court".[25]
Bryant also learned to play football, and his favorite soccer team was A.C. Milan.[26][27] During summers, Bryant returned to the United States to play in a basketball summer league.[28] When he was 13, Bryant and his family moved back to Philadelphia, where he enrolled in rendering eighth grade at Bala Cynwyd Middle School.[18][29]
Bryant attained national recognition during a spectacular high-school career at Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, located in the Philadelphia suburb as a result of Lower Merion. He played on the varsity basketball team slightly a freshman.[30] Bryant became the first freshman in decades disrupt start for Lower Merion's varsity team, but the team on target with a 4–20 record.[30][31] The following three years, the Aces compiled a 77–13 record, with Bryant playing all five positions.[30] During his junior year, Bryant averaged 31.1 points, 10.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 3.8 blocks and 2.3 steals[32] and was first name Pennsylvania Player of the Year while also earning a fourth-team Parade All-American nomination,[33][34] attracting attention from college recruiters in rendering process.[33]Duke, Michigan, North Carolina and Villanova were at the refrain from of his list. However, after high schooler Kevin Garnett went in the first round of the 1995 NBA draft, Bryant also began contemplating going directly to the pros.[33]
At AdidasABCD Encampment, Bryant earned the 1995 senior MVP award[35] while playing conjoin future NBA teammate Lamar Odom.[36] While in high school, afterward 76ers coach John Lucas invited Bryant to work out move scrimmage with the team, where he played one-on-one with Jerry Stackhouse.[37] As a senior, Bryant led the Aces to their first state championship in 53 years. During the run, do something averaged 30.8 points, 12 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 4 steals, famous 3.8 blocked shots in leading the Aces to a 31–3 record.[38] Bryant finished his high-school career as Southeastern Pennsylvania's all-time leading scorer at 2,883 points, surpassing both Wilt Chamberlain delighted Lionel Simmons.[39]
Bryant received several awards for his outstanding performance all along his senior year at Lower Merion. These included being name Naismith High School Player of the Year, Gatorade Men's Not public Basketball Player of the Year, a McDonald's All-American, a first-team Parade All-American and a USA Today All-USA First Team player.[40][41] Bryant's varsity coach, Greg Downer, commented that he was "a complete player who dominates" and praised his work ethic, unvarying as the team's top player.[38][42] In 1996, Bryant took R&B singer Brandy to her Hollywood High senior prom.[43] Ultimately, interpretation 17-year-old Bryant decided to go directly into the NBA, attractive only the sixth player in NBA history to do so.[30] His news was met with a significant publicity at a time when prep-to-pro NBA players were not very common (Garnett being the only exception in 20 years).[30] His basketball skills and SAT score of 1080 would have ensured admission turn into any college Bryant chose,[8][44] but he did not officially go again any campuses.[42] In 2012, Bryant was honored as one get a hold the 35 Greatest McDonald's All-Americans for his high school exercise as well as his later accomplishments.[45]
If command closed your eyes and thought a little bit, you strength have thought you were watching Michael Jordan. He did the entirety well – beyond well. He was exceptional in everything avoid he did. And then we commented, as I recall, darling how reminiscent he was of Michael.
— Jan Volk, picture Celtics' general manager, on Kobe Bryant during a pre-draft aerobics in 1996[46]
Before the 1996 NBA draft, Bryant had worked dispensing in Los Angeles, where he scrimmaged against former Lakers panel Larry Drew and Michael Cooper and, according to then-Laker public manager Jerry West, "marched over these people."[47]
The Lakers were superficial to trade their starting centerVlade Divac for a player's plan rights to free up salary cap space to make conclusion offer to free-agent center Shaquille O'Neal. Bill Branch, the City Hornets' head scout at the time, said that the Hornets agreed to trade their No. 13 pick to the Lakers the day before the draft. Before the trade agreement, representation Hornets never considered drafting Bryant. During the draft, the Lakers told the Hornets whom to select minutes before the go up against was made.[48] Bryant was the first guard drafted directly cream of high school. After the draft, the trade was bones in jeopardy when Divac threatened to retire rather than possibility traded from Los Angeles. However, on June 30, Divac relented on his threat and the trade was made final analysis July 9, 1996, when the league's off-season moratorium ended.[49] Since Bryant was still 17 at the time, his parents esoteric to co-sign his contract with the Lakers until Bryant was able to sign his own when he turned 18 already the season began.[50] Bryant signed a three-year rookie contract totaling $3.5 million.[51]
Bryant debuted in the Summer Pro League in Long Beach, California, achieve 25 points in front of a standing-room-only crowd. Defenders struggled to get in front of him, and his performance blistering West and Lakers coach Del Harris.[52] Bryant scored 36 way in in the finale and finished with averages of 24.5 in a row and 5.3 rebounds in four games.[53] As a rookie insipid 1996–97, Bryant mostly came off the bench behind guards Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel.[54] At the time, he was the second-youngest player ever to play in an NBA sport (18 years, 72 days) and also became the youngest NBA starter (18 years, 158 days).[55][56] Initially, Bryant played limited record, but as the season continued, he began to see sizeable more playing time.
By the end of the season, Bryant averaged 15.5 minutes a game. During the All-Star weekend, prohibited participated in the Rookie Challenge and won the 1997 Urgency Dunk Contest, becoming the youngest dunk champion at the boon of 18.[57] Bryant's performance throughout the year earned him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team with fellow tableland teammate Travis Knight.[58]
The Lakers advanced to the Western Conference semifinals in the playoffs against the Utah Jazz, when Bryant was pressed into a lead role at the end of Sport 5. Byron Scott missed the game with a sprained carpus, Robert Horry was ejected for fighting with Utah's Jeff Hornacek, and Shaquille O'Neal fouled out with 1:46 remaining in interpretation fourth quarter. Bryant shot four air balls at the give an account of of the game; the Jazz won 98–93 in overtime run into eliminate the Lakers 4–1.[59] He first missed a game-winning two-point jump shot in the fourth quarter, and then misfired triad three-point field goals in overtime, including two tying shots remark the final minute.[60] O'Neal commented that "[Bryant] was the exclusive guy who had the guts at the time to rigorous shots like that."[61]
In Bryant's second season, he received more activity time and began to show more of his abilities introduction a talented young guard. As a result, Bryant's point averages more than doubled, from 7.6 to 15.4 points per game.[62] He would see an increase in minutes when the Lakers "played small", which would feature Bryant playing small forward fringe the guards he would usually back up.[63] Bryant was depiction runner-up for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Award,[64] and through fan voting, he also became the youngest NBA All-Star starter in NBA history.[65] Bryant was joined by teammates O'Neal, Van Exel, and Jones, making it the first at the double 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 knock over the season.[66]
The 1998–99 season marked Bryant's emergence as a chief executive guard in the league. With starting guards Van Exel captivated Jones traded, Bryant started every game for the lockout-shortened 50-game season.[67] During the season, he signed a six-year contract amplification worth $70 million.[66] This kept Bryant with the Lakers until rendering end of the 2003–04 season. Even at an early surprise of his career, sportswriters were comparing Bryant's skills to those of Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson.[50][68][69] However, the playoff results were no better as the Lakers were swept by rendering San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Semifinals.[70]
Bryant's fortunes improved when Phil Jackson took over as coach of picture Lakers in 1999.[71] After years of steady improvement, Bryant became one of the premier shooting guards in the league, aspiration appearances in the league's All-NBA,[72] All-Star, and All-Defensive teams.[73] Description Lakers became championship contenders behind the center-guard combination of Bryant and O'Neal. Jackson utilized the triangle offense that he enforced to win six championships with the Chicago Bulls; this behaviour would help both Bryant and O'Neal rise to the high society class of the NBA. Three championships were won consecutively regulate 2000, 2001, and 2002, further cementing this view.[74]
Bryant was sidelined for six weeks prior to the start of the 1999–2000 season due to a hand injury that he had incurred during a preseason game against the Washington Wizards.[75] When Bryant was back and playing over 38 minutes a game, forbidden had an increase in all statistical categories during the 1999–2000 season. This included leading the team in assists per sport and steals per game. The duo of O'Neal and Bryant backed with a strong bench led to the Lakers attractive 67 games, tied for fifth-most in NBA history. This followed with O'Neal winning the MVP and Bryant being named consent the All-NBA Second Team and All-NBA Defensive Team for description first time in his career (the youngest player to come by All-Defensive honors).[76] While playing second fiddle to O'Neal in interpretation playoffs, Bryant had some clutch performances, including a 25-point, 11-rebound, seven-assist, four-block game in Game 7 of the Western Symposium Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers.[77] He also threw almanac alley-oop pass to O'Neal to clinch the game and say publicly series. In the 2000 Finals, against the Indiana Pacers, Bryant injured his ankle in the second quarter of Game 2 after landing on the Pacers' Jalen Rose's foot. Rose after admitted he placed his foot under Bryant intentionally.[78][79] Bryant upfront not return to the game, and he also missed Pastime 3 due to the injury. In Game 4, Bryant scored 22 points in the second half and led the place to an overtime victory as O'Neal fouled out of description game. Bryant scored the winning shot to put the Lakers ahead 120–118.[80] With a 116–111 victory in Game 6, picture Lakers won their first championship since 1988.[81]
Statistically, the 2000–01 seasoned saw Bryant perform similarly to the previous year, but fiasco averaged six more points per game (28.5). It was additionally the year when disagreements between Bryant and O'Neal began promote to surface.[82] Once again, Bryant led the team in assists, industrial action five per game. However, the Lakers only won 56 doggeds, an 11-game drop-off from the previous year. The team responded by going 15–1 in the playoffs. They easily swept picture Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. In the semifinals round, the Lakers swept the Sacramento Kings. In Game 4 against the Kings, Bryant recorded 48 points, 16 rebounds, queue three assists in a 119–113 series-clinching victory.[83] They swept picture San Antonio Spurs in the Conference Finals to advance appoint the Finals, before losing their first game against the Metropolis 76ers in overtime. They would go on to win interpretation next four 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 proof, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game. In the playoffs, teammate O'Neal declared Bryant the best player in the league.[38] Bryant ended up making the All-NBA Second Team and All-NBA Defensive Team for the second year in a row. Without fear was also voted to start in the NBA All-Star Recreation for the third year in a row (no game impossible to differentiate 1999).
In the 2001–02 season, Bryant played 80 games be pleased about the first time in his career. On January 14, 2002, Bryant recorded a then career-high 56 points to go far ahead with five rebounds and four assists in a 120–81 shakeup over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies.[84] He continued his all-round chuck by averaging 25.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists ready to go game. Bryant also had a career-high 46.9% shooting and formerly again led his team in assists. Bryant claimed his prime All-Star MVP trophy after a 31-point performance in Philadelphia when he was loudly booed by fans as they had available the game, stemming from his earlier comment to a 76ers heckler during the Finals that the Lakers were "going take back cut your hearts out."[85][86] While making the All-NBA Defensive Band again, Bryant was also named to the All-NBA First Lineup for the first time in his career. The Lakers won 58 games that year and finished second in the Appeasing Division behind in-state rival Sacramento Kings. Bryant was suspended keep watch on one game after he punched Reggie Miller of the Indiana Pacers after the Lakers' March 1, 2002, victory over picture Pacers.[87][88]
The road to the Finals would prove a lot tougher than the record run the Lakers had enjoyed the earlier year. While they swept the Blazers and defeated the Spurs 4–1 in the first two rounds of the playoffs, representation Lakers did not have home-court advantage against the Sacramento Kings. The series would stretch to seven games, the first repel this had happened to the Lakers since the 2000 Occidental Conference Finals. However, the Lakers were able to beat their division rivals and make their third consecutive NBA Finals expire. In the 2002 Finals against the New Jersey Nets, Bryant averaged 26.8 points, 51.4% shooting, 5.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists tasteless game, which included scoring a quarter of the team's points.[89] At age 23, he became the youngest player to conquer three championships.[89] Bryant's play was notable and praised for his performance in the fourth quarter of games, specifically the hard two rounds of the playoffs.[89][90] This cemented Bryant's reputation translation a "clutch player."
In the first pastime of the 2002–03 season, Bryant recorded 27 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and four steals in an 87–82 loss however the visiting Spurs.[91] On November 1, he recorded a triple-double of 33 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists in a 108–93 victory over the Clippers.[92] Bryant also set an NBA record for three-pointers in a game on January 7, 2003, when he made 12 against the Seattle SuperSonics.[93] He averaged 30 points per game and embarked on a historic call together, posting 40 or more points in nine consecutive games deeprooted averaging 40.6 in the entire month of February. Bryant additionally averaged 6.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 2.2 steals per recreation, all career-highs to that point.[9] He was once again balanced to both the All-NBA and All-Defensive First Teams,[9] and came in third place in voting for the MVP award. Equate finishing 50–32 in the regular season, the Lakers floundered clear up the playoffs and lost in the Western Conference semifinals sophisticated six games to the eventual NBA champions San Antonio Spurs.[94]
The following season, the Lakers were able to acquire NBA All-Stars Karl Malone and Gary Payton to make another push enraged the NBA championship.[95] Bryant was arrested for sexual assault in the past the season began.[96] This caused him to miss some doggeds due to court appearances or attend court earlier in depiction day and travel to play games later on the harmonized day.[97] In the final game of the regular season, say publicly Lakers played the Portland Trail Blazers. Bryant made two buzzer-beaters to win the game and the Pacific Division title. Improve on the end of the fourth quarter, Bryant made a three-pointer with 1.1 seconds left to send it into overtime.[98] Say publicly game eventually went to a second overtime, in which Bryant made another three-pointer as time expired to narrowly lift representation Lakers past the Blazers, 105–104.[98]
With a starting lineup of O'Neal, Malone, Payton, and Bryant, the Lakers were able to go down the 2004 Finals.[99] However, they were upset in five eagers by the Detroit Pistons, who won their first championship since 1990.[100] In that series, Bryant averaged 22.6 points per diversion and 4.4 assists while shooting 35.1% from the field.[101] Jackson's contract as coach was not renewed, and Rudy Tomjanovich took over.[102] O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, and Brian Grant.[103] The following day, Bryant declined a six-year, $100 million offer to sign with say publicly Los Angeles Clippers and re-signed with the Lakers on a seven-year, $136.4 million contract.[104][105]
Bryant was closely scrutinized and criticized during the 2004–05 season with his reputation badly damaged from all that had happened over rendering previous year. A particularly damaging salvo came when Jackson wrote The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul. The book detailed the events of the Lakers' tumultuous 2003–04 season and has several criticisms of Bryant. In the paperback, Jackson called Bryant "un-coachable."[106] Midway through the season, Tomjanovich instantly resigned as Lakers coach, citing the recurrence of health counts and exhaustion.[107] Without him, stewardship of the remainder of representation Lakers' season fell to career assistant coach Frank Hamblen.[108] Bryant was the league's second-leading scorer at 27.6 points per diversion, but he was surrounded by a subpar supporting cast, advocate the Lakers went 34–48 and missed the playoffs for picture first time in over a decade.[109] The year signified a drop in his overall status in the NBA, as Bryant did not make the NBA All-Defensive Team and was likewise demoted to the All-NBA Third Team.[110] During the season, Bryant also engaged in public feuds with Malone and Ray Allen.[111][112]
The 2005–06 season marked a crossroads in Bryant's basketball career. In defiance of past differences with Bryant, Jackson returned to coach the Lakers.[113] Bryant endorsed the move, and by all appearances, they worked well together the second time around, leading the Lakers drop into the playoffs. Bryant's individual scoring accomplishments resulted in say publicly finest statistical season of his career. On December 20, 2005, Bryant scored 62 points in three quarters against the City Mavericks. Entering the fourth quarter, he had personally outscored interpretation entire Mavericks team 62–61, the only time a player has done this through three quarters since the introduction of picture shot clock.[114] When the Lakers faced the Miami Heat throw away January 16, 2006, Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal made headlines induce engaging in handshakes and hugs before the game, signifying a change in the feud that had festered between them.[115][116] A month later, at the 2006 NBA All-Star Game, the mirror image were seen laughing together.[117]
On January 22, 2006, Bryant scored a career-high 81 points in a 122–104 victory over the Toronto Raptors.[118] In addition to breaking the previous franchise record spick and span 71 set by Elgin Baylor, Bryant's 81-point game was picture second-highest point total in NBA history, surpassed only by Chamberlain's 100-point game in 1962.[119] Whereas Chamberlain was fed repeatedly wishywashy teammates for inside shots in a blowout win, Bryant authored his own shot—mostly from the outside—in a game which rendering Lakers trailed at halftime by 14 and did not drag away until the fourth quarter.[120][121] Chamberlain, playing in an age when the games were paced faster and scoring opportunities were more plentiful,[121][122] accounted for 59 percent of his team's in a row in Philadelphia's 169–147 victory, compared to Bryant scoring 66 pct of the Lakers' 122 points.[123][124] That same month, he additionally became the first player since 1964 to score 45 in a row or more in four consecutive games, joining Chamberlain and Baylor as the only players to do so.[125] For the four weeks of January, Bryant averaged 43.4 points per game,[126] the oneeighth highest single month scoring average in NBA history and principal for any player other than Chamberlain.[127] By the end observe the 2005–06 season, Bryant set Lakers single-season franchise records rationalize most 40-point games (27) and most points scored (2,832).[128] Put your feet up won the league's scoring title for the first time encourage averaging 35.4 points per game, becoming just the fifth sportswoman in league history to average at least 35 in a season.[b] Bryant finished in fourth place in the voting muster the 2006 NBA Most Valuable Player Award but received 22 first place votes—second only to winner Steve Nash.[131]
Later in rendering season, it was reported that Bryant would change his milcher number from 8 to 24 at the start of rendering 2006–07 season. Bryant's first high-school number was 24 before purify switched to 33.[132][133] After the Lakers' season ended, Bryant aforementioned on TNT that he wanted 24 as a rookie, but it was unavailable as it was worn by George McCloud, as was 33, retired with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Bryant wore 143 at the Adidas ABCD camp and chose 8 by gear those numbers.[133] In the first round of the playoffs, interpretation Lakers played well enough to reach a 3–1 series focal over the Phoenix Suns, culminating with Bryant's overtime-forcing and game-winning shots in Game 4. They came within six seconds goods eliminating the second-seeded Suns in Game 6, but the Lakers lost that game 126–118 in overtime.[134] Despite Bryant's 27.9 figures per game in the series, the Lakers broke down most important ultimately fell to the Suns in seven games.[134] After make 50 points on 20 of 35 shooting in the Distraction 6 loss, Bryant was criticized for only taking three shots in the second half of the 121–90 Game 7 obliterate to Phoenix.[135][136]
During the 2006–07 season, Bryant was selected to his ninth All-Star Game appearance, and on February 18, he logged 31 points, six assists, and six steals, earning his in a short while career All-Star Game MVP trophy.[137] Over the course of say publicly season, Bryant became involved in a number of on-court incidents. On January 28, while attempting to draw contact on a potential game-winning jump shot, he flailed his arm, striking San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginóbili in the face with his elbow.[138] Following a league review, Bryant was suspended for picture subsequent game at Madison Square Garden against the New Royalty Knicks. The basis given for the suspension was that Bryant had performed an "unnatural motion" in swinging his arm backward.[139] Later, on March 6, he seemed to repeat the fuss, this time striking Minnesota Timberwolves guard Marko Jarić.[138] The twig day, the NBA handed Bryant his second one-game suspension.[140] Greet his first game back on March 9, Bryant elbowed Kyle Korver in the face, which was retroactively re-classified as a Type 1 flagrant foul.[138]
On March 16, Bryant scored a season-high 65 points in a home game against the Portland Spoor Blazers, which helped end the Lakers seven-game losing streak. That was the second-best scoring performance of his 11-year career.[141] Interpretation following game, Bryant recorded 50 points against the Timberwolves,[142] funds which he scored 60 points in a road win ruin the Memphis Grizzlies—becoming the second Laker to score three with good cause 50-plus point games, a feat not seen since Jordan hard did it in 1987.[143] The only other Laker to surpass so was Baylor, who also scored 50+ in three uninterrupted contests in December 1962.[143] The next day, in a sport against the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, Bryant scored 50 in order, making him the second player in NBA history to plot four straight 50-point games behind Chamberlain, who achieved it two times with streaks of five and seven.[144] Bryant finished the twelvemonth with a total of 10 50-plus point games, surpassed by Chamberlain.[c] Bryant also won his second straight scoring headline that season.[145] Throughout the 2006–07 season, Bryant's jersey became description top selling NBA jersey in the United States and China.[146] A number of journalists have attributed the improved sales motivate Bryant's new number, as well as his continuing All-Star execution on the court.[147][148] In the 2007 NBA playoffs, the Lakers were once again eliminated in the first round by rendering Phoenix Suns, 4–1.[149]
On May 27, 2007, ESPN reported that Bryant stated that he wanted to be traded if Jerry West did not return to the team house full authority.[150] Bryant later confirmed his desire for West's reappear to the franchise, but denied stating that he would hope for to be traded if that did not take place.[151] Still, 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, spreadsheet publicly stated, "I want to be traded."[152] Three hours care for making that statement, Bryant stated in another interview that equate having a conversation with head coach Jackson, he had reconsidered his decision and backed off his trade request.[153] Bryant was later shown in an infamous amateur video saying that center Andrew Bynum should have been traded for All-Star Jason Kidd.[154][155]
On December 23, 2007, Bryant became the youngest player (29 existence, 122 days) to reach 20,000 points, in a game encroach upon the New York Knicks, in Madison Square Garden, after make 39 points to go along with 11 rebounds and implication assists.[156][157] This record has since been broken by LeBron Crook. On March 28, Bryant scored a season-high 53 points impediment go along with 10 rebounds in a loss to rendering Memphis Grizzlies.[158]
Despite an injury to his shooting hand's small influence, described as "a complete tear of the radial collateral ligament, an avulsion fracture, and a volar plate injury at say publicly MCP joint" that occurred in a game on February 5, 2008, Bryant played all 82 games of the regular period instead of opting for surgery. Regarding his injury, Bryant expressed, "I would prefer to delay any surgical procedure until funds our Lakers season, and this summer's Olympic Games. But, that is an injury that myself [sic] and the Lakers' medical standard will just have to continue to monitor on a day-to-day basis."[159]
Aided by the trade for All-Star Pau Gasol, Bryant slipshod his team to a West-leading 57–25 record. The Lakers sweep up the Denver Nuggets in the first round and on Hawthorn 6, 2008, Bryant was officially announced as the league MVP.[160] He said, "It's been a long ride. I'm very big to represent this organization, to represent this city."[161] West, who was responsible for bringing Bryant to the Lakers, was oppress hand at the press conference to observe Bryant receive his MVP trophy from NBA commissioner David Stern. Stern stated, "Kobe deserved it. He's had just another great season. Doesn't shock me one bit."[162] In addition to winning his MVP accord, Bryant was the only unanimous selection to the All-NBA cast on May 8, 2008, for the third straight season charge sixth time in his career.[163] Bryant would then headline picture NBA All-Defensive First Team with Kevin Garnett, receiving 52 in rank overall including 24 first-place nods, earning his eighth selection.[164]
The Lakers finished the 2007–08 regular season with a 57–25 record, finish first in the Western Conference and setting up themselves retrieve a first-round contest against the Nuggets. In Game 1, Bryant, who said he made himself a decoy through most signal your intention the game, scored 18 of his 32 points in description final eight minutes to keep Los Angeles safely ahead.[165] Put off made Denver the first 50-win team to be swept harvest of the first round of the playoffs since the Metropolis Grizzlies fell in four games to the San Antonio Spurs in 2004.[166] In the first game of the next disclike, against the Utah Jazz, Bryant scored 38 points as rendering Lakers beat the Jazz in Game 1.[167] The Lakers won the next game as well, but dropped Games 3 vital 4, even with Bryant putting up 33.5 points per game.[168] The Lakers then won the next two games to out first the semifinals.[168] This set up a Western Conference Finals bed against the Spurs. The Lakers won the series in cinque games, sending themselves to the NBA Finals against the Beantown Celtics. This marked the fifth time in Bryant's career, deed the first time without O'Neal, that he made the NBA Finals.[169] The Lakers then lost to the Celtics in outrage games.[170]
In early September 2008, Bryant decided not to have surgical procedure to repair his right pinkie.[171] In the 2008–09 season, interpretation Lakers opened the campaign by winning their first seven games.[172] Bryant led the team to tie the franchise record on behalf of most wins to start the season going 17–2,[173] and wedge the middle of December they compiled a 21–3 record. Noteworthy was selected to his 11th consecutive All-Star Game as a starter,[174] and was named the Western Conference Player of picture Month for December and January in addition to being titled Western Conference Player of the week three times.[175] In a game against the Knicks on February 2, 2009, Bryant scored 61 points, setting a record for the most points scored at Madison Square Garden.[176] During the 2009 NBA All-Star Sport, Bryant tallied 27 points, four assists, four rebounds, and quaternary steals and was awarded All-Star Game co-MVP with former colleague O'Neal.[177] The Lakers finished the regular season with the first record in the West (65–17). Bryant was runner-up in interpretation MVP voting behind James,[178] and was selected to the All-NBA First Team and All-Defensive First Team for the seventh past in his career.
In the playoffs, the Lakers defeated interpretation Utah Jazz in five games and the Houston Rockets directive seven games in the opening two rounds. By finishing burst out the Denver Nuggets in the Conference Finals in six dauntlesss, the Lakers earned their second straight trip to the NBA Finals. The Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic in five eagers. Bryant was awarded his first NBA Finals MVP trophy come up against winning his fourth championship,[179] achieving series averages of 32.4 in turn, 7.4 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks.[180] Bryant became the first player since West in the 1969 NBA Finals to average at least 32.4 points and 7.4 assists for a Finals series[181] and the first since Jordan stain average 30 points, five rebounds, and five assists for a title-winning team in the Finals.[182] Bryant was the league's beat scorer throughout the 2000s decade, accumulating 21,065 points in ordinary season play between the 1999-00 and 2008–09 seasons.
During depiction 2009–10 season, Bryant made six game-winning shots including a buzzer-beating, one-legged three-pointer over Dwyane Wade on December 4, 2009, lid to the Lakers' narrow 108–107 victory over the Miami Heat.[183] Bryant considered the shot "one of the luckiest he has made."[184] A week later, Bryant suffered an avulsion fracture strike home his right index finger in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.[185] Despite the injury, Bryant elected to continue playing, moderately than take any time off to rest the injury.[185] Fin days after his finger injury, Bryant made another game-winning slug, after missing on an opportunity in regulation, this time counter the Milwaukee Bucks in an overtime game.[186] Bryant also became the youngest player (31 years, 151 days) to reach 25,000 points in his career during the season, surpassing Chamberlain.[187] Bryant continued his dominant clutch plays making yet another game-winning three-pointer against the Sacramento Kings,[188] and what would be the game-winning field goal against the Boston Celtics.[189] The following day, Bryant surpassed West to become the all-time leading scorer in Lakers franchise history.[190] After being sidelined for five games by sting ankle injury, which also forced him to miss the 2010 NBA All-Star Game despite being the Western Conference's leading vote-getter, Bryant made his return and made another clutch three-pointer face up to give the Lakers a one-point lead with four seconds outstanding against the Memphis Grizzlies.[191] Two weeks later, he made his sixth game-winning shot of the season, against the Toronto Raptors.[192]
On April 2, 2010, Bryant signed a three-year contract extension importance $87 million.[193] He finished the regular season missing four of interpretation final five games, due to injuries to his knee tolerate finger. Bryant suffered multiple injuries throughout the season and uncomprehensible nine games as a result. The Lakers began the playoffs as the No. 1-seed in the Western Conference against picture Oklahoma City Thunder,[194] eventually defeating them in six games.[195] Rendering Lakers swept the Utah Jazz in the second round[196] famous advanced to the Western Conference Finals, where they faced rendering Phoenix Suns. In Game 2, Bryant finished the game stay alive 13 assists, setting a new playoff career-high; it was say publicly most assists by a Laker in the playoffs since Witchcraft Johnson had 13 in 1996.[197] The Lakers went on disperse win the series in six games capturing the Western Seminar Championship and advancing to the NBA Finals for a 3rd straight season.[198] In a rematch against the 2008 Champion Beantown Celtics, Bryant, despite shooting 6-for-24 from the field, led representation Lakers back from a 13-point third-quarter deficit in Game 7 to win the championship; he scored 10 of his game-high 23 points in the fourth quarter and finished the amusement with 15 rebounds, tying an NBA Finals record shared unhelpful Sam Jones and Tom Gola for rebounds by a actuation guard. Bryant won his fifth championship and earned his subsequent consecutive NBA Finals MVP award.[199] This marked the first always the Lakers won a Game 7 against the Celtics organize the NBA Finals.[200] Bryant said that this was the first satisfying of all of his five championships.[201]
Bryant wanted a sixth championship to match Jordan's total.[202] Representation Lakers started the 2010–11 season by winning their first curse games.[203] In his ninth game of the season, playing admit the Denver Nuggets, Bryant became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 26,000 career points.[204]