“You know I can kick your *** one-on-one.”
Those were the first words Kobe Bryant said to Michael Jordan — and they may have had validity. Throughout his illustrious career that spanned over three decades, he took the torch and became the idol the NBA needed after MJ.
I’ll be the first to admit that Kobe is no Jordan, but there also will never be another Kobe.
Bryant’s professional career began June 26, 1996, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, when he was selected 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA Draft. He decided to forgo college, thus taking his talents straight into the league after a decorated high school career at Lower Merion in West Philadelphia.
Bryant fell to the Hornets and was immediately traded to the Lakers, thus beginning a Los Angeles dynasty and a Los Angeles curse simultaneously.
“The Hornets told me right after they drafted me that they had no use for me and were going to trade me,” Bryant said when reminiscing in 2014. “Thank you (Hornets).”
Bryant’s accolades throughout his career are among the most glorified of all time. He is a 5-time NBA champion, NBA MVP, 2-time NBA finals MVP, 15-time All-NBA selection, 12-time All-defensive team selection, 18-time All Star selection, 4-time NBA All Star MVP, NBA slam dunk champion (as a rookie), 2-time scoring champion, and current holder or co-holder of 36 NBA records and 54 Lakers records.
Kobe won his first three championships, in 2001, 2002, and 2003, alongside fellow NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. After O’Neal was traded to the Miami Heat, Bryant became the cornerstone of the Lakers and the most feared player in the league.
He gave himself the “Black Mamba” nickname in 2004, after reading a description of the animal saying how they are aggressive, agile and deadly assassins. He was quoted saying that he wanted to mold his game to be just that.
The following season, Kobe was unleashed…
His 2005-06 campaign was one for the record books. He led the league in scoring for the first time with 35.4 PPG, the highest average by any player not named Jordan in 50 years. He topped 50 points six times, 60 points two times (including the game where he outscored the Mavericks by himself through three quarters 62-61), and a month later he dropped 81 on the Raptors. Bryant shot 28-46 from the field, 7-13 from beyond-the-arc and 18-20 from the free-throw line in the incredible performance. It was the second most points ever scored in a game, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain’s legendary 100–point game.
Kobe’s 81 points blew away Jordan’s career high of 69.
It wasn’t always smooth sailing for Kobe though. During his rookie season, the Lakers trailed the Utah Jazz 3-1 in the second round series of the Western Conference playoffs. The game was tight, and in overtime Bryant took four consecutive shots that were all airballs. Teammate Shaquille O’Neal actually praised Kobe after the game, saying that he had “guts” with the season on the line.
“I look back at it now with fond memories,” Bryant said. “Back then, it was misery. It helped shape me.”
His late-game instincts is a reason many people compare him to Michael Jordan in the first place. “The Black Mamba” never shied away from the big moment, as he hit dozens of game-winners throughout his career. When the game was on the line, everyone in the arena knew who was taking the last shot. Bryant loved the pressure. He took it with a grain of salt and used it to his advantage.
That is who Kobe was. He was a killer on the court. He played the game relentlessly, pursuing victory at all costs. He knew he was great — and just like MJ — he struck fear into his opponents with his unyielding assassin-like mentality, competitive nature, and passion, love and respect for the game.
Bryant is the closest we may ever get to Michael Jordan. Every dribble, hesitation, layup, and fadeaway that Kobe took was first blueprinted by Jordan. He idolized Michael, just as the new era of stars have molded their games and competitive nature to mirror Bryant’s.
On the same night that the Warriors broke the NBA record for wins in a season, Kobe ended his career in the most Kobe way imaginable. He scored 60 points and put on a perfect Hollywood-like show, hitting a game-winning jumper in one of his most memorable performances.
Kobe dedicated his entire life to the game of basketball and more than half of his life to the city of Los Angeles. Changing the lives of children all over the world and giving hope to those who look up to him as a player.
Love him or hate him. Kobe Bryant will always be an NBA legend and an ambassador for the game. We will miss you, Kobe.
Mamba Out.
