On January 14, 2002, Bryant recorded a then career-high fifty six factors to associate with 5 rebounds and 4 assists in a 120–81 win over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies. He continued his all-round play by averaging 25.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per sport. Bryant additionally had a career-high 46.9% capturing and once again led his group in assists. While making the All-NBA Defensive Team once more, Bryant was also named to the All-NBA First Team for the first time in his profession. The Lakers won 58 games that yr and completed second in the Pacific Division behind in-state rival Sacramento Kings. Bryant was suspended one game after he punched Reggie Miller of the Indiana Pacers after the Lakers' March 1, 2002 victory over the Pacers.

Kobe Bryant's recreation winner in 99–98 victory over Memphis Grizzlies reveals clutchness can't be duplicated Archived February 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, sports activities.yahoo.com, February 23, 2010. Lakers win 11th straight, Bryant injures finger Archived August 12, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, sports activities.yahoo.com, December 12, 2009. Larry Bird held the earlier report; he was 35 when he had 49 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists on March 15, 1992, towards Portland. Afterward, Bryant co-founded an impartial record label, Heads High Entertainment, but it folded within a yr. In 1999, Bryant appeared on a remix of "Say My Name" by Destiny's Child on the Maxi single model of the track.

In that collection, Bryant averaged 22.6 factors per recreation and four.four assists. Jackson's contract as coach was not renewed, and Rudy Tomjanovich took over. O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, and Brian Grant. The following day, Bryant declined a suggestion to signal with the Los Angeles Clippers and re-signed with the Lakers on a seven-year contract.

And there's a particular devotion among NFL gamers who’ve clung to Kobe’s strategy as a information by way of the crucible of injury. Since 1957, GQ has inspired men to look sharper and reside smarter with its unparalleled protection of style, culture, and beyond. From award-winning writing and pictures to binge-ready movies to electrical stay occasions, GQ meets millions of recent males where they stay, creating the moments that create conversations. And on this final part of his good, checkered, championship-laden profession, the man who once known as himself "the Valentino of the NBA" has been running his mouth like never before. This interview—the last one he gave earlier than his season-ending harm in late January—was no exception. The basketball participant won more than basketball championships.

The Kings received, , but the Lakers went on to win the series in 5 games and advanced to face the Phoenix Suns within the next round. Kobe Bryant is dejected after shedding the ball late in the second half of Game 3 of the 1999 Western Conference semifinals in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs in the playoffs at the Forum. The Lakers misplaced, , giving the Spurs a 3-0 advantage in the sequence. From the very start when Kobe Bryant performed his first recreation for the Los Angeles Lakers as an 18-year-old basketball phenom, his path to greatness seemed assured.

Perhaps that’s shocking, considering he’s from the a half of southern New Jersey that favors Philadelphia’s sports groups. He remembered hating Kobe when the Lakers played the Sixers within the 2001 NBA Finals and reveling within the moment when Allen Iverson stepped over Tyronn Lue. But once Ryan got to the NFL, he grew to become obsessed with Bryant’s Mamba Mentality.

The Lakers began the 2010–11 season by successful their first eight video games. In his ninth recreation of the season, enjoying against the Denver Nuggets, Bryant became the youngest participant in NBA historical past to succeed in 26,000 career factors. Bryant additionally recorded his first triple double since January 21, 2009. On January 30 towards the Celtics, he became the youngest participant to attain 27,000 points. On February 1, 2011, Bryant became considered one of seven gamers with a minimum of 25,000 factors, 5,000 rebounds and 5,000 assists. In Boston on February 10, Bryant scored 20 of his 23 factors in the second half as the Lakers rallied from an early 15-point deficit for a 92–86 win over the Celtics.

Each feminine participant noticed in him the title of his book, The Mamba Mentality. Last season he played he started the final six games for an injured Tanner Morgan, tossing three touchdowns and 946 yards passing and leading the Gophers to a second straight win over Wisconsin to retain the Paul Bunyan Axe. This is the fourth time Bryant has been on the duvet of the game, including when he was featured on the duvet of NBA 2K21, which was launched simply months after his demise in January 2020. Bryant was additionally the duvet athlete for NBA 2K17 and NBA 2K10. At the age of six, the sport turned a half of my nature. Everything I noticed, heard, learn, or felt was considered through the lens of growing as a basketball player.