On January 14, 2002, Bryant recorded a then career-high fifty six points 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 recreation. Bryant also had a career-high forty six.9% shooting and once again led his staff in assists. While making the All-NBA Defensive Team again, Bryant was additionally named to the All-NBA First Team for the first time in his career. The Lakers received fifty eight games that yr 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.

I don’t think he had played all summer time due to his harm, but he still killed everyone. The first possession, he caught the rock along the baseline and hit a turn-around jumper in my face … a shot I’ve seen him hit literally a thousand occasions on TV. “Hey, don’t harm your self, younger fella,” Kobe uttered to me. I skilled a quantity of of these moments during my rookie year. I had the unenviable task of guarding Kobe throughout training camp.

Their second daughter, Gianna Maria-Onore (also referred to as "Gigi"), was born in May 2006. On December 16, 2011, Vanessa Bryant filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences, and the couple requested joint custody of their daughters. On January 11, 2013, Bryant and his spouse each introduced through social media that they'd called off their divorce. In early December 2016, Vanessa gave birth to their third daughter, and in January 2019 the Bryants announced they were expecting a fourth daughter. Bryant was in the constructing and dealing on his debut album.

Bryant was also a 12-time All-Defensive Team choice, trailing only Duncan's 15, and 9 occasions he was named to the All-Defensive First Team, tied with Jordan, Garnett, and Gary Payton for the most all time. He was the primary guard to play 20 seasons in the NBA. He additionally gained the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1997 and was its youngest winner. In his profession, Bryant scored 40-plus points in 121 video games, and 21 times he recorded a triple-double. Bryant playing towards Gary Neal of the Washington Wizards after announcing his forthcoming retirement, 2015After recovering to play within the 2015–16 preseason, Bryant suffered a calf harm and missed the final two weeks of exhibition video games.

The U.S. women's basketball team won its gold medal the previous night of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and Leslie did not wish to wear it out to the men's final. In 2003, Kobe was accused of sexual assault however the case was dismissed in 2004 and a civil lawsuit was settled out of court docket. Stop by for the scores, keep for the tales shared in our Sports publication. Cress also wonders if Zobayan may need felt strain to finish the flight on time that day – pressure that might have kept him flying through the fog, into hilly terrain, when maybe he ought to have circled.

He’s mastered his arsenal to where he has two counters to every thing. Some folks do it off the dribble, Kobe’s doing it with his feet. He’s stepping around you, or putting you ready where you’re hopping in the air. One of my favorite Kobe moments got here again after I was with the Bulls. It was late in the recreation, and he was out by the three-point line with Eddie Robinson guarding him. He up-faked, took one dribble, then did this pirouette that was simply sick earlier than making the jumper.

Maybe this smartphone era enjoys sharing video games of domination. Maybe I’m the one with the issue, perhaps it's right to have multiple alphas, possibly I’m the weaker one, the selfish one. Maybe, just possibly … Either way, I refuse to vary what I am.

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