The widespread denominator in every championship staff is the mentality that Kobe has … You need to be so obsessed with winning that you pull no punches together with your teammates, even when you’re in first place. On January 30, the primary game after the crash was played at Staples Center between the Clippers and the Kings; the Clippers honored Bryant earlier than the sport, with Southern California native Paul George narrating a video tribute to Bryant. The next day, the Lakers played their first sport after the crash in opposition to the Trail Blazers.

His formal induction was delayed until 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2021, Bryant was honored as one of many league's greatest gamers of all time by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. The Lakers swept the Utah Jazz in the second spherical and advanced to the Western Conference Finals, the place they confronted the Phoenix Suns. In Game 2, Bryant finished the sport with 13 assists, setting a new playoff career-high; it was essentially the most assists by a Laker in the playoffs since Magic Johnson had thirteen in 1996.

This marked the fifth time in Bryant's career and the primary time with out Shaquille O'Neal to go to the NBA Finals. The Lakers then lost to the Boston Celtics in 6 games. On December 23, 2007, Bryant turned the youngest participant to achieve 20,000 factors, in a sport against the New York Knicks, in Madison Square Garden. In the following 2003–04 season, the Lakers were able to acquire NBA All-Stars Karl Malone, and Gary Payton to make another push on the NBA Championship. Before the season started, Bryant was arrested for sexual assault.

Vanessa Bryant paid tribute to her late daughter Gigi Bryant, three years after she and dad Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash. On April thirteen, 2016, Bryant dazzled a sold-out crowd on the Staples Center and fans in all places in the last sport of his profession, scoring 60 factors and main the Lakers to a win against the Utah Jazz. In 2008, Bryant was named Most Valuable Player and carried his group to the NBA Finals, the place they misplaced to the Boston Celtics. In the 2009 NBA Finals, the Lakers beat the Orlando Magic to win the championship. Shortly afterward, Bryant was a part of the memorial service to honor pal and music superstar Michael Jackson.

On April 12, Bryant suffered a torn Achilles tendon in opposition to the Golden State Warriors, ending his season. Lakers basic supervisor Mitch Kupchak had spoken to Bryant about his intensive taking half in time 10 days earlier, however Bryant insisted the minutes wanted to proceed given the Lakers' playoff push. Bryant had surgical procedure on April thirteen to restore the tear, and it was estimated he would miss six to nine months. He ended the season with customary averages of 27.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6 assists per game on 46.3% taking pictures.

Kobe Bufkin hugs family and associates after being selected 15th total by the Atlanta Hawks in the course of the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 22, 2023, in New York. "It's by no means affected me too much in relation to enjoying ball," stated Bufkin, who was born in 2003. Brown is in Summer League with the Los Angeles Clippers.

He would then headline the NBA All-Defensive First Team with Kevin Garnett, receiving fifty two points general together with 24 first-place nods, earning his eighth choice. The only other Laker to take action was Baylor, who also scored 50+ in three consecutive contests in December 1962. Bryant completed the year with a complete of ten 50-plus level games, surpassed solely by Chamberlain. In the 2007 NBA playoffs, the Lakers have been as quickly as again eradicated within the first round by the Phoenix Suns, 4–1. The 2005–06 season marked a crossroads in Bryant's basketball profession.

However, it was not for anything basketball associated, quite it was about Bryant being a big fan of FC Barcelona. CNN estimated Bryant's endorsement offers in 2007 to be value $16 million a year. In 2010, Bryant was ranked third behind Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan in Forbes‍ '​ list of the world's highest-paid athletes with $48 million. He mentioned his religion and a priest helped him through difficult instances, such as the period following his accusation of rape. A Catholic cantor mentioned she was inspired by Bryant's religion, and the respect that he showed her. Bryant and his household have been common attendees at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newport Beach.