O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, and Brian Grant. The following day, Bryant declined a proposal to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers and re-signed with the Lakers on a seven-year contract. The announcement drew a powerful reaction, significantly from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. "With 17 NBA All-Star alternatives, an NBA MVP, 5 NBA championships with the Lakers, two Olympic gold medals and a relentless work ethic, Kobe Bryant is probably certainly one of the best players within the history of our sport," Silver said in an announcement. "Whether competing in the finals or hoisting bounce shots after midnight in an empty health club, Kobe has an unconditional love for the sport." Former pro basketball player Kobe Bryant gained five NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers whereas establishing himself as one of the recreation's all-time greats.

In 2020, Carr wore a sleeve on his left arm all through the season to honor Kobe and had a Mamba Mentality mantra poster in his weight room. In 2022, Carr adopted a stretching routine that Bryant had suggested to him years earlier. The picture of Bryant being less than “thrilled” with the not-so-maniacal work ethic of a teammate has turn out to be the middle of his persona. Though he will never usurp the greatness of Michael Jordan throughout the public consciousness, he has likely already surpassed MJ in terms of the phobia and antipathy he instills in those that play alongside him.

“Lise, come here.” I go in there, he pauses the tape, stands up in his flip flops and does the move he’s been finding out. Shay and I bathe, we go out, like out out — Kobe didn't actually exit a lot — come again, one within the morning. “Lise, come right here.” He’s still in his room watching videos.

Bryant had checked into The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera in Eagle County upfront of present process knee surgical procedure nearby. The accuser stated that Bryant raped her in his hotel room the night earlier than Bryant was to have the process. Bryant admitted to an adulterous sexual encounter along with his accuser, however denied her sexual assault allegation. In his interview with police, Bryant additionally acknowledged a "frequent" adulterous sexual relationship with another woman named "Michelle" at the time. Bryant scored a profession excessive of 81-points towards the Toronto Raptors in Staples Center, second-highest single scoring performance in NBA history, surpassed solely by Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point recreation in 1962. He spoke fluent Spanish, Italian and Chinese in addition to English with confidence and finesse.

Playing without Bryant, the Lakers have been swept in 4 games by the San Antonio Spurs in the first spherical of the playoffs. Bryant received experimental platelet-rich plasma therapy known as Orthokine in Germany to deal with the ache on his left knee and ankle, and Mike Brown replaced the retired Phil Jackson as coach of the Lakers within the offseason. Bryant started the season playing with an injured wrist. On January 10, 2012, Bryant scored forty eight points towards the Suns, essentially the most ever by a participant in his sixteenth season.

When the household returned to Philadelphia in 1991, Bryant joined the Lower Merion High School basketball staff, main it to the state championships 4 years in a row. With an eye on the NBA, he also began understanding with the 76ers. Regarded as top-of-the-line American basketball gamers of all time, Kobe Bryant performed a decisive position in Team USA’s Olympic triumphs of 2008 and 2012.

But he additionally, particularly, spread women’s basketball. He called Breanna Stewart after she ruptured her Achilles tendon to offer guidance on an harm he understood too nicely. He founded the Mamba Sports Academy, which provided access to sports activities for ladies and different kids.

The Lakers completed the season at 45-37, good for seventh within the West. Playing with out Bryant, the Lakers were swept in 4 video games by the San Antonio Spurs. Kobe, while human and therefore flawed, was an anomaly of kinds, breaking stereotypes and crossing borders.