Bryant was sidelined for six weeks previous to the start of the 1999–2000 season because of a hand injury that he had incurred throughout a preseason sport against the Washington Wizards. When Bryant was back and playing over 38 minutes a sport, he had an increase in all statistical categories during the 1999–2000 season. This followed with O'Neal successful the MVP and Bryant being named to the All-NBA Second Team and All-NBA Defensive Team for the primary time in his profession (the youngest player to obtain All-Defensive honors). While enjoying second fiddle to O'Neal in the playoffs, Bryant had some clutch performances, together with a 25-point, 11-rebound, 7-assist, 4-block game in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals in opposition to the Portland Trail Blazers. In the 2000 Finals, towards the Indiana Pacers, Bryant injured his ankle within the second quarter of Game 2 after landing on the Pacers' Jalen Rose's foot.

As a outcome, this cowl might be a heartbreaking reminder for followers of his greatness and love of the game. Finally, Kobe’s lasting legacy as the ultimate competitor on the court will final endlessly. As a fitting tribute to his lasting legacy, NBA 2K24 selected Bryant as the cover athlete.

The following day, he surpassed Jerry West to become the all-time main scorer in Lakers franchise history. After being sidelined for 5 video games from an ankle injury, Bryant made his return and made one other clutch three-pointer to offer the Lakers a one-point lead with four seconds remaining against the Memphis Grizzlies. Two weeks later, he made his sixth game-winning shot of the season towards the Toronto Raptors. After the Lakers lost the 2004 NBA Finals, O'Neal was traded and Bryant turned the cornerstone of the Lakers. He led the NBA in scoring during the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons.

A month later, at the 2006 NBA All-Star Game, the two were seen laughing collectively. In Bryant's second season, he obtained more playing time and started to indicate more of his abilities as a proficient young guard. As a end result, Bryant's point averages more than doubled from 7.6 to fifteen.four points per sport. Bryant would see a rise in minutes when the Lakers "played small", which might function Bryant enjoying small forwardalongside the guards he would normally back up. Bryant was the runner-up for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Award, and through fan voting, he also became the youngestNBA All-Star starter in NBA historical past. He was joined by teammates O'Neal, Van Exel, and Jones, making it the first time since 1983 that 4 players on the same staff were chosen to play in the same All-Star Game.

Speakers on the service included Vanessa, Jordan, and O'Neal, together with Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi and Geno Auriemma, Taurasi's coach at Connecticut, where Gianna had been aspiring to play. The Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, and the FBI launched investigations into the crash. The explanation for the crash was hard to analyze, as the helicopter was not outfitted with a black field. Over a yr after the crash, on February 9, 2021, the NTSB declared that pilot Ara Zobayan most likely turned disoriented after flying into thick clouds. The five board members additionally mentioned Zobayan, who also died within the crash, ignored his coaching and violated federal regulations through the 40-minute flight.

“I just feel like I’m letting other folks down,” Ryan mentioned about being injured. So he may squeeze in a 3rd exercise daily whereas not taking time away from his kids. Ryan mentioned the mindset he realized from Bryant goes past soccer. But few are as devout as longtime defensive back Logan Ryan. Perhaps that’s surprising, contemplating he’s from the part of southern New Jersey that favors Philadelphia’s sports activities groups. He remembered hating Kobe when the Lakers played the Sixers in the 2001 NBA Finals and reveling in the second when Allen Iverson stepped over Tyronn Lue.

"Not bad for the seventh-best player within the league", said Bryant, referring to a preseason ESPN rating of the NBA's top gamers. It was the sixth time in his profession he scored 40 or extra points in four straight video games, a feat exceeded only by Chamberlain . At the 2012 NBA All-Star Game, Bryant scored 27 factors to cross Jordan as the profession scoring leader within the All-Star Game.

NBA legend Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash three years ago, on January 26, 2020, in Calabasas, California. Eight different folks died in the crash, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna. When it comes to iconic figures in sports activities, few names command the identical level of respect and admiration as Kobe Bryant. Known for his unrivaled basketball expertise and unbelievable work ethic, Bryant left an indelible mark in the world of sports and beyond.