In 2011, Bryant was featured in Taiwanese singer Jay Chou's single "The Heaven and Earth Challenge" (天地一鬥, pronounced "Tian Di Yi Dou"). Not to be confused with the American soccer player Coby Bryant.

He remained the league's highest-paid player, although he accepted a discounted deal; he had been eligible to receive an extension starting at $32 million per yr. Bryant resumed playing on December eight after lacking the season's first 19 video games. On December 17, Bryant matched his season excessive of 21 points in a 96–92 win over Memphis, but he suffered a lateral tibial plateau fracture in his left knee that was expected to sideline him for six weeks. He had played six games since returning from his Achilles injury, which included time at point guard after injuries to Nash, Steve Blake, and Jordan Farmar. Bryant was averaging 13.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.3 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 aim share was its highest since 2008–09. On April 2, 2010, Bryant signed a three-year contract extension price $87 million. Bryant finished the regular season missing four of the final five video games, due to accidents to his knee and finger. Bryant suffered multiple injuries throughout the season and as a result, missed nine games. The Lakers began the playoffs as the number one seed in the Western Conference towards the Oklahoma City Thunder, eventually defeating them in six video games.

This comes after Vanessa paid particular tribute to Gasol on social media lately, posting a photo of the 2 as she wished him a cheerful birthday. Buy Lakers TicketsBefore all of that, he started his career with Isiah Thomas’ Detroit Pistons, with whom he won his first two NBA titles. The Brooklyn rapper sat down with The Starting Five podcast on Saturday , the place he fondly remembered the NBA nice because the host talked about basketball style in Hip Hop . HISTORY.com works with a variety of writers and editors to create correct and informative content.

I wouldn't be the kid that bounced back after zero, and I wouldn't be honoring the man that impressed me to challenge everything. Thank you all for your love and assist, it's much appreciated, even when the villain in me refuses to acknowledge it all the time. By the time Kobe got to the league and we had been in the NBA Finals that first time in L.A., I had reporters coming as much as me asking, with a straight face, “Did Kobe actually take it to you in a sport of one-on-one again in Italy?

That made Denver the primary 50-win staff to be swept out of the first round of the playoffs since the Memphis Grizzlies fell in 4 games to the San Antonio Spurs in 2004. In the primary game of the following round, towards the Jazz, Bryant scored 38 factors as the Lakers beat the Jazz in Game 1. The Lakers then gained the subsequent two video games to win the semifinals. The Lakers defeated the Spurs in five video games, sending themselves to the NBA Finals, against the Boston Celtics. This marked the fifth time in Bryant's career, and the primary time with out O'Neal, that he made the NBA Finals. The Lakers then lost to the Boston Celtics in six games.

From his early beginnings as a highschool prodigy to his illustrious NBA career, Kobe proved time and again that he was a force to be reckoned with. In this text, we are going to discover 31 fascinating information concerning the legendary Kobe Bryant that showcase his tenacity, talent, and enduring legacy. So, buckle up and prepare to delve into the life and profession of this extraordinary athlete. Bryant wasn’t just a five-time NBA champion, Hall of Famer and all-time great; Kobe spread basketball.

The two-time Finals MVP scored 33,643 points during his career, with eighty one of these daggers coming on January 22, 2006 in a game towards the Toronto Raptors. The 18-time All-Star led the NBA in scoring 4 seasons and still managed to make the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team nine instances, making him one of the best two-way players in history. Bryant was relentless, and when he matched wits with Shaquille O’Neal in 1996, there got here a renewed sense that taking half in for the Los Angeles Lakers meant playing for the ring. Bryant and O’Neal opened the 21st Century with three championships in a row. Bryant’s encore performance came in 2009 and once more in 2010 when the Lakers went back-to-back.