Kobe Bryant Biography, Olympic Medals, Information And Age

Bryant was also a 12-time All-Defensive Team choice, trailing only Duncan's 15, and 9 instances he was named to the All-Defensive First Team, tied with Jordan, Garnett, and Gary Payton for the most all time. He was the first guard to play 20 seasons within the NBA. He additionally received the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1997 and was its youngest winner. In his career, Bryant scored 40-plus points in 121 video games, and 21 instances he recorded a triple-double.

He remained the league's highest-paid player, although he accepted a discounted deal; he had been eligible to obtain an extension beginning at $32 million per year. Bryant resumed enjoying on December eight after missing the season's first 19 games. On December 17, Bryant matched his season excessive of 21 factors in a 96–92 win over Memphis, however he suffered a lateral tibial plateau fracture in his left knee that was expected to sideline him for six weeks. He had performed six video games since returning from his Achilles harm, which included time at level guard after injuries to Nash, Steve Blake, and Jordan Farmar. Bryant was averaging 13.8 factors, 6.3 assists, and 4.three rebounds.

The 34-year-old Bryant was averaging his most minutes (38.6) in six years, and solely Portland rookie Damian Lillard was averaging more minutes. Bryant's assists were the second-highest of his profession and his subject objective share was its highest since 2008–09. On April 2, 2010, Bryant signed a three-year contract extension value $87 million. Bryant finished the regular season missing four of the final 5 games, as a end result of injuries to his knee and finger. Bryant suffered a number of injuries throughout the season and as a result, missed 9 games. The Lakers started the playoffs as the primary seed in the Western Conference towards the Oklahoma City Thunder, eventually defeating them in six video games.

Once again, Bryant led the team in assists, with 5 per recreation. The Lakers, however, solely won fifty six video games, an 11-game dropoff from the previous 12 months. The Lakers would respond by going 15–1 in the playoffs. They simply swept the Portland Trail Blazers within the first spherical. In the semifinals round, the Lakers swept the Sacramento Kings. In Game four towards the Kings, Bryant recorded 48 points, 16 rebounds and three assists in a 119–113 series-clinching win.

Teague then detailed his first encounter with McGrady, who showed up to practice with a sense of entitlement. That’s T-Mac within the Maybach with some big ass copyright garments on,” Teague shared. Later in the apply, Teague felt disrespected by how McGrady scoffed at discovering out Jeff was the Hawks’ starting point guard. As a outcome, Teague claims he spent the remainder of the yr “talking shit” to his elder by reminding T-Mac that he wasn’t on the identical level as generational friends corresponding to Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Some of Bryant’s accolades include five NBA championships, two Olympic gold medals, 18 All-Star recreation appearances, and two Finals MVP awards.

On January 11, 2013, Bryant and his spouse each introduced via social media that that they had referred to as off their divorce. In early December 2016, Vanessa gave start to their third daughter, and in January 2019 the Bryants introduced they were expecting a fourth daughter. Bryant was in the building and dealing on his debut album. The two began courting and have become engaged six months later in May 2000, whereas Laine was nonetheless a senior at Marina High School in Huntington Beach, California.

” “Oh, someone notified us that it was a little lower than regulation.” Then he informed me how a lot it was off by. I may let you know his answer, but I think you already know what he said. One of the hardest games I keep in mind playing in opposition to Kobe occurred in Boston.

Flying again to L.A., he referred to as a news convention at Staples Center and, with tears in his eyes and voice quavering, acknowledged having sex with the girl but insisted it was consensual. Bryant took refuge in his relationship with Vanessa, as bodyguards accompanied them to Disneyland and received them seats on the local Cineplex after the lights went down. The couple purchased a house in the Newport Beach neighborhood of Newport Coast, where they installed his “Star Wars” memorabilia and her Disney collectibles.