NBA
NBA: These legendary records won by Kobe Bryant
It has now been just over two years since Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash, along with eight other people, including his daughter Gianna. The Lakers legend would have celebrated his 44th birthday this Tuesday, August 23, the city of Los Angeles has also decreed that the day following his birthday will now be called “Mamba Day”. The opportunity to look back on 20 years of career in the NBA.
On January 26, 2020, we learned of the death of Kobe Bryant. Then 41 years old, the Black Mamba died in a helicopter crash, along with eight other people, including his daughter Gianna. Beyond having been an exceptional player, Kobe Bryant also marked the NBA by her personality and her determination, the famous Mamba Mentality “. In his book Three Rings Circusthe journalist Jeff Pearlman also revealed how he presented himself to his new teammates when he arrived in the league in 1996. An anecdote he recalled on the set of The Jumpon ESPN.
NBA: Kobe Bryant’s wife displays terrible fear https://t.co/njdoK3oPUD pic.twitter.com/KQnWbkPghz
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“I will not let anyone in the NBA make fun of me”
“ Shaquille O’Neal, perky and laughing, got up first “, did he declare. ” “Hi, I’m Shaq, let’s do this together.” One by one, his teammates followed suit. “Hey, I’m Derek Fisher, a rookie. I’m from good old Arkansas. I’m ready to work.” (…) Then came the turn of Kobe. “Yo, my name is Kobe. Kobe Bryant. I’m from Pennsylvania. At Lower Merion High School, I dominated everything. I just want you to know that no one is going to fuck with me. I won’t let anyone in the NBA make fun of me. You have been warned.” And he wasn’t lying. For 20 years, Kobe Bryant marked the NBA of his mark, piling up records and unforgettable performances.
A career made of records
Holder with the Los Angeles Lakers at the age of 18 years and 158 days, he remains the youngest player to have started a game in NBA. A few months later, he won the Slam Dunk Contest, of which he is still the youngest winner. During his career, the Black Mamba has been selected 18 consecutive times for the All Star Game. A record he holds, along with LeBron James. Among these 18 selections, Kobe Bryant was elected MVP four times alone Bob Pettit has done as well in league history. With five champion rings, including a three peat (2000, 2001, 2002) and a back-to-back (2009, 2010), he is one of 26 players to have lifted the trophy as many times Larry O’Brien.
20 years in the NBA
On January 22, 2006, he made his mark on the league by scoring 81 points against Toronto. Set apart Wilt Chamberlain, no one has managed to reach this total of points in a match. If he especially marked the spirits by his offensive performances, Kobe Bryant was also a fierce defender. During his career, he was selected 9 times in the All-Defensive First Teama record he shares with other big names: Michael Jordan, Gary Payton and Kevin Garnett. His longevity and his loyalty also make him a player apart. the Black Mamba evolved over 20 years in Lakers, a franchise he never left. Only Dirk Nowitzki, Udonis Haslem and LeBron Jamesif he goes to the end of his contract with the Californian franchise, have evolved as long in NBA. On April 13, 2016, Kobe Bryant bid farewell to Staples Center (renamed Crypto.com Arena in 2022) in the most beautiful way. With 60 points scored against Utah Jazz, he set the record for a career last game. Legend.