On January 14, 2002, Bryant recorded a then career-high 56 factors to associate with 5 rebounds and four assists in a 120–81 win over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies. He continued his all-round play by averaging 25.2 factors, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. Bryant additionally had a career-high 46.9% taking pictures and as quickly as again led his staff in assists. While making the All-NBA Defensive Team again, Bryant was also named to the All-NBA First Team for the primary time in his career. The Lakers received 58 games that 12 months and completed second in the Pacific Division behind in-state rival Sacramento Kings. Bryant was suspended one sport after he punched Reggie Miller of the Indiana Pacers after the Lakers' March 1, 2002 victory over the Pacers.

He additionally suffered a damaged nose and a concussion in the third quarter of the All-Star Game after a tough foul from Dwyane Wade. In April, Bryant missed seven video games with a bruised left shin. He returned three video games before the top of the common season. In the final game of the regular season, against Sacramento, he selected to not go for a attainable third NBA scoring title, having needed 38 points to surpass Kevin Durant. The Lakers have been knocked out of the playoffs by Durant's Oklahoma City Thunder within the second spherical of the playoffs, losing in five games. During the 2009–10 season, Bryant made six game-winning photographs together with a buzzer-beating, one-legged 3-pointer towards the Miami Heat on December four, 2009.

This stored him with the Lakers until the end of the 2003–04 season. Even at an early stage of his career, sportswriters were evaluating his abilities to these of Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. The playoff outcomes, nevertheless, were no better, as the Lakers had been swept by the San Antonio Spurs within the Western Conference Semifinals. Fitting in is a problem that I’ve never been able to master. I was a tall, skinny 13-year-old kid who spoke Italian higher than English. I knew little or no of American tradition and folks knew me only as “the son of a former NBA player.” During this time, the sport of basketball became more than solely a refuge, it grew to become my outlet.

The two began relationship and have become engaged six months later in May 2000, while Laine was nonetheless a senior at Marina High School in Huntington Beach, California. In addition to his talents on offense, Bryant additionally established himself as a standout defensive participant. Bryant rarely drew expenses when he performed defense, which he believed spared his body and contributed to his longevity.

But for the primary time for the reason that Hall of Famer retired in 2016, the NBA is about to have fans watching guys named Kobe again. And make no mistake -- Kobe Brown and Kobe Bufkin would be the primary two players at NBA Summer League to insist there'll by no means be another Bryant. Kobe Bryant’s legacy continues to encourage younger basketball players. Try playing basketball, even in youth leagues, when your name is Coby Bryant. Try watching clips of the NBA famous person you’re named after when you’re 7, to know the standard you should meet.

That strategy has never wavered – from basketball to business. What I did modify, although, was how I various my approach from player to participant, enterprise to enterprise. I nonetheless challenge everybody and make them uncomfortable; I just do it in a way that's tailored to them. To be taught what would work and for who, I do homework and watch how they behave. I be taught their histories and hearken to what their goals are. I learn what makes them really feel secure and the place their biggest doubts lay.

The determination for Kobe to be on the duvet speaks to his character and the popularity he has earned all through his basketball profession. Coach Phil Jackson put Bryant on Iverson through the second half of the game. Kobe held AI to 0-11 subject objective shooting whereas blocking three of his shots within the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Bryant scored 8 of his 18 factors within the fourth quarter and sparked a 9-0 fourth-quarter run that helped them decide up the win over the Sixers.

On January 10, 2012, Bryant scored 48 factors towards the Suns, the most ever by a player in his 16th season. "Not dangerous for the seventh-best participant in the league," mentioned Bryant, referring to a preseason ESPN ranking of the NBA's high gamers. He went on to attain 40, forty two, and 42 in his subsequent three games. It was the sixth time in his profession he scored 40 or extra points in 4 straight games, a feat exceeded solely by Wilt Chamberlain . At the 2012 NBA All-Star Game, Bryant scored 27 factors to pass Michael Jordan because the profession scoring leader within the All-Star Game.