Kobe Bryant was a basketball prodigy whose physical gifts were off the chart, but it was his mental state of mind that elevated his game to otherworldly heights. Bryant honed his killer instinct, with his work ethic and never-give-an-inch mindset driving him to five NBA championships and eleven All-NBA First Team honors. The two-time Finals MVP scored 33,643 points during his career, with 81 of those daggers coming on January 22, 2006 in a game against the Toronto Raptors. The 18-time All-Star led the NBA in scoring four seasons and still managed to make the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team nine times, making him one of the best two-way players in history. Bryant was relentless, and when he matched wits with Shaquille O’Neal in 1996, there came a renewed sense that playing for the Los Angeles Lakers meant playing for the ring. Bryant and O’Neal opened the 21st Century with three championships in a row. Bryant’s encore performance came in 2009 and again in 2010 when the Lakers went back-to-back.
FAQs
Is Kobe in the Naismith Hall of Fame? ›
Bryant's induction into the Hall of Fame was a long-time coming because of the imprint he made on the game of basketball, but what stood out was how he was portrayed as a human being more than a basketball player.
Will Kobe Bryant be in the Hall of Fame? ›Even after his death, his legacy remains throughout every region worldwide. Now, Kobe is a part of two different Halls of Fame, the Basketball Hall of Fame and the Orange County Hall of Fame, the place he called home for over a decade, per CBS KCAL News.
What is Kobe Bryant's fame? ›"With 17 NBA All-Star selections, an NBA MVP, five NBA championships with the Lakers, two Olympic gold medals and a relentless work ethic, Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players in the history of our game," Silver said in a statement.
How did Kobe Bryant pass away? ›On Jan. 26, 2020, basketball star Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.
How many MvPs did Kobe win? ›He won the prestigious title of Most Valuable Player (MVP) four times. He first won the award in 2002, followed by wins in 2007, 2009, and 2011. Unfortunately, Kobe Bryant passed away in a tragic helicopter crash in 2020, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and mastery in basketball.
When did Kobe Bryant become a Hall of Famer? ›The 18-time NBA All-Star was formally inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on the evening of May 15, 2021 as part of the Class of 2020. His wife Vanessa Bryant gave a powerful and moving speech during the induction ceremony, where she was joined onstage by basketball icon Michael Jordan.
Who's better LeBron or Kobe? ›The two met 22 times in the regular season, with Lebron winning 16 contests and Kobe winning only 6. Championships: Regarding on-court success and legacy, championships play a pivotal role. Kobe Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, showcases a career marked by multiple victories at the highest level.
Is Shaq a Hall of Famer? ›I'm about to retire. Love you. Talk to you soon." One of the greatest players in NBA history, O'Neal was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
Will Vince Carter make the Hall of Fame? ›CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Former University of North Carolina basketball standouts Vince Carter and Walter Davis were elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's Class of 2024. The Hall of Fame announced the class Saturday at the Final Four in Phoenix.
How tall was Kobe Bryant at 16? ›How tall were NBA players at 12? How tall were NBA players as children? Shaq was 6'6" at 14. Kobe was 6'3" at 16.
What makes Kobe Bryant special? ›
And much like another West Coast icon gone too soon, Nipsey Hussle, Kobe's death brought to light what characteristics makes one legendary. For an entire generation, he was a lighthouse, a role model, and a real live superhero. His determination, integrity, and athleticism made him a true leader in black history.
Why is Kobe so famous? ›Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, Bryant won five NBA championships and was an 18-time All-Star, a 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, a 12-time member of the All-Defensive Team, the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), and a two-time NBA Finals MVP.
Why was Kobe Bryant called Mamba? ›In the film, the character Beatrix Kiddo, played by Uma Thurman, is referred to as Black Mamba, symbolizing her deadly skills as an assassin. Inspired by the film, Richardson saw similarities between Bryant's on-court tenacity and the attributes of the Black Mamba snake, and thus, the nickname was born.
Where is Kobe buried? ›The small cemetery where Kobe Bryant is buried contains the graves of some notable people — including one arguably as famous as the basketball star. Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, were buried Friday at Pacific View Memorial Park in Newport Beach. They were killed Jan. 26 in a helicopter crash.
At what age did Kobe retire? ›Kobe Bryant was 37 years old when he played his last NBA game against the Utah Jazz on April 13, 2016. Age and injuries were already slowing down one of the league's best and most competitive players two years before his 20th and final season.