After the Lakers' season ended, Bryant mentioned on TNT that he wished 24 as a rookie, however it was unavailable, as was 33, retired with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Bryant wore 143 on the Adidas ABCD camp, and selected 8 by including these numbers. In the first round of the playoffs, the Lakers performed well enough to achieve a 3–1 series lead over the Phoenix Suns, culminating with Bryant's OT-forcing and game-winning photographs in Game four. Despite Bryant's 27.9 factors per game in the sequence, the Lakers broke down, and ultimately fell to the Suns in seven games. Bryant received criticism for only taking three photographs within the second half of the 121–90 Game 7 loss to Phoenix.

That method has by no means wavered – from basketball to business. What I did adjust, though, was how I varied my method from participant to player, enterprise to business. I nonetheless problem everyone and make them uncomfortable; I just do it in a means that is tailor-made to them. To study what would work and for who, I do homework and watch how they behave. I learn their histories and hearken to what their objectives are.

LAS VEGAS -- There’s Kobe, wearing the uniform of a team from Los Angeles. There’s Kobe, the final one on the court at apply and getting yelled at because the buses are waiting for him. The NBA 2K franchise initially debuted in 1999 with NBA 2K, that includes one other Hall of Famer, Allen Iverson, on the quilt. In the most recent installment, NBA 2K23, the duvet athlete was none apart from Michael Jordan. Jordan has graced the covers of NBA 2K11, 2K12, and 2K16.

Midway through his profession, in July 2003, Bryant was accused of rape by a resort worker. The felony case, which drew nationwide attention when salacious details have been leaked, was ultimately dropped after the girl refused to testify. In an ensuing civil suit, Bryant settled and apologized with out admitting his guilt. Lakers legend Kobe Bryant died when the helicopter he was traveling in crashed right into a hillside in Calabasas shortly before 10 a.m. The NBA wasn’t satisfied that any player, no matter how sensational or proficient, could jump instantly from high school to the big leagues.

But for the first time because the Lakers’ Hall of Famer retired in 2016, the NBA is about to have followers watching guys named Kobe once more. Vanessa Bryant was awarded $16 million over the sharing of photographs taken at the helicopter crash web site where her husband Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna died. 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 13, 2016, Bryant dazzled a sold-out crowd at the Staples Center and followers in all places in the last sport of his profession, scoring 60 points and leading the Lakers to a win in opposition to 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.

Over the course of the season, Bryant turned involved in numerous on-court incidents. On January 28 whereas attempting to draw contact on a potential game-winning jump shot, he flailed his arm, putting San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginóbili in the face with his elbow. The basis given for the suspension was that Bryant had performed an "unnatural motion" in swinging his arm backward.

Despite being sidelined, he was voted by followers to start in his 16th All-Star sport. Bryant didn't really feel he was deserving of the selection, and a few likened it to a profession achievement award for his previous performance. However, he missed enjoying in the game, nonetheless hampered by his knee.

Kobe and his family returned to the United States in 1991. Bryant frequently traveled by helicopter throughout and after his NBA career, partially to keep away from the oft-gridlocked visitors in Los Angeles. And he often chartered flights with Island Express Helicopters, including 13 journeys in 2019.