Kobe Bryant
(1978-2020)
Hall of Fame Induction: 2020
Card Shown:
2014-15 Panini Flawless
Association Autographs
Position: SG/SF
Height: 6’6″
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Kobe Bryant, also known as The Black Mamba, was one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He was a five-time NBA champion and a perennial All-Star who was a prolific scorer and a lock-down defender. A tremendous athlete, Kobe was an intense competitor on the hardwood.
Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among nine people who lost their lives in a tragic helicopter crash on January 26, 2020. The tragedy devastated countless family members, friends, fans, and supporters who had been impacted by Kobe both on and off of the basketball court.
Awards and Honors
- Kobe and Shaquille O’Neal led the Lakers to a three-peat, winning NBA titles in 2000, 2001, and 2002 as they defeated the Indiana Pacers (with Reggie Miller), Philadelphia 76ers (with Allen Iverson), and New Jersey Nets (with Jason Kidd), respectively.
- Bryant and Pau Gasol led the Lakers to back-to-back NBA championships in 2009 and 2010 over the Orlando Magic (with Dwight Howard) and the Boston Celtics (with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo). Kobe was the Finals MVP in both of these years.
- Kobe was named an NBA All-Star eighteen times during his twenty-year career. He was awarded the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award four times, in 2002, 2007, 2009, and 2011.
- The 2007-08 NBA MVP Award was awarded to Kobe after a season in which he averaged 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game in leading the Lakers to a 57-25 record and first place in the Pacific Division. The Lakers eventually lost to the Celtics, four games to two, in the NBA Finals.
- Bryant was an 11-time All-NBA First Team selection and an All-Defensive First Team selection eight times.
Points of Interest
- Representing the USA, Kobe won Olympic gold medals in 2008 in Beijing, China and in 2012 in London, England.
- On January 22, 2006, Bryant scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in a Laker victory. His single game point total was the second most in NBA history, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain’s iconic 100-point game. Kobe made 28/46 from the field, 7/13 from behind the three-point line, and 18/20 from the free-throw line en route to his historic night.
- In his final NBA game on April 13, 2016, Bryant scored 60 points in leading the Lakers to a come-from-behind victory over the Utah Jazz.
- Kobe retired from the NBA after starring for the Lakers for 20 years. Los Angeles retired his two numbers, 8 and 24, during a ceremony at Staples Center on December 18, 2017.
- Kobe was a fierce competitor known for his “Mamba mentality.” He once told Amazon Book Review, “Mamba mentality is all about focusing on the process and trusting in the hard work when it matters most.” Bryant’s book Mamba Mentality (Amazon affiliate link) was released in 2018.
- Bryant was a devoted father who loved spending time with his family and being involved in the activities and sporting events that his girls participated in.
- Less than 24 hours before his untimely death, Bryant congratulated LeBron James for passing him to become the third leading scorer in NBA history. Kobe finished his career with 33,643 points. At the time of his passing only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, and James had scored more points in the NBA than the Black Mamba.
Statistics
Kobe Bryant Statistics
provided by Basketball-Reference.com
Personal Autograph Interaction
My son and I had the opportunity to meet Kobe Bryant in the fall of 2018 at a middle school basketball game. My daughter, an 8th grader at the time, was playing against the school that Kobe’s daughter attended. Gianna was a 7th grader at the time so our daughters did not play against each other.
As we got ready to go to the game, I told my son Joshua to grab a Kobe card and a Sharpie in case we had the opportunity to meet the basketball legend at the game. As we entered the gym, the 7th grade teams were playing. I scanned the bleachers and sure enough, Kobe was there watching his daughter play. No one was sitting around him and I knew better than to interrupt him while he was watching Gianna play.
However, at the end of the game, Kobe walked down onto the court and was only talking with one other person. I approached him and asked if he would sign a card for me and for my son. Kobe said that he had to say goodbye to his wife and kids first (I assume that they were in a separate car and were leaving) and then he would come back and sign the cards for us.
A few minutes later he returned and signed a card for each of us. Mine is pictured below and Joshua’s is one of the treasures of his collection. We had the opportunity to talk with Kobe and tell him that we were planning on going to Springfield, Massachusetts for his Hall of Fame induction ceremony. He joked about having a goal of writing the shortest speech for the occasion.
I appreciate the few minutes that Kobe set aside to talk with us and sign our cards. Kobe took the time to make a difference that day to a boy and his Dad. We were speaking with a basketball legend who will be remembered not only for what he did on the basketball court, but for the many people that he positively impacted off the court.
And yes, even though Kobe will not be there, my son and I are still planning on attending the 2020 Hall of Fame Induction ceremony in Springfield later this year. I am sure that there will be a worthy tribute to a man who was one of the best ever at what he did, a man who entertained millions of fans for two decades. Rest in peace, Kobe.
2004 Upper Deck Glass Auto
Signed In-Person by Kobe Bryant
