Bryant made two buzzer-beaters to win the sport and the Pacific Division title. At the end of the fourth quarter, Bryant made a three-pointer with 1.1 seconds left to ship it into additional time. The sport eventually went to a second additional time, in which Bryant made one other three-pointer as time expired to lift the Lakers past the Blazers, 105–104.

The Lakers finished the common season with the best report within the West (65–17). Bryant was runner-up in the MVP voting behind James, and was selected to the All-NBA First Team and All-Defensive First Team for the seventh time in his profession. Statistically, the 2000–01 season saw Bryant perform equally to the earlier year, however he averaged six more points per game (28.5).

Bryant additionally turned the youngest participant to achieve 25,000 factors in the course of the season, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain. The following day, he surpassed Jerry West to turn into the all-time main scorer in Lakers franchise historical past. After being sidelined for 5 video games from an ankle harm, Bryant made his return and made one other clutch three-pointer to provide the Lakers a one-point lead with 4 seconds remaining in opposition to 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 became the cornerstone of the Lakers. He led the NBA in scoring during the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons.

Because of Kobe, in part, Diggins-Smith produced a documentary sequence for Nickelodeon. Because of Kobe, in part, she continued to refine her professional basketball career. Because of Kobe, partly, she pursued more Olympic glory. And due to Kobe, in part, her choice to step away from a half of a WNBA season, her 10th, nearer to the tip than the beginning, was straightforward.

It’s the arena – then known as Staples Center – where Bryant played the overwhelming majority of his 20 seasons with the Lakers, scored his career-best 81 factors against Toronto in 2006 and referred to as residence for five championship runs and 18 All-Star campaigns. Olympic groups, successful consecutive gold medals with teammates Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, among a quantity of different top gamers. From Michael Jordan to LeBron James to Steph Curry, these are the 30 best basketball players of all time.

He was such a scorching prospect that he received an invitation to a giant shindig hosted by Essence journal, the place Brandy additionally happened to be in attendance. "When I was 17, I didn't get an opportunity to go to my very own prom," Brandy informed Zimbio. But then a "tall, handsome man" approached her on the get together and gushed that he was an enormous fan, and that they should go to his promenade collectively.

They simply swept the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. In the semifinals spherical, the Lakers swept the Sacramento Kings. In Game four against the Kings, Bryant recorded forty eight points, sixteen rebounds and 3 assists in a 119–113 series-clinching win. They swept the San Antonio Spurs within the Conference Finals to advance to the Finals, earlier than losing their first sport towards the Philadelphia 76ers in extra time.

Bryant rarely drew expenses when he performed protection, which he believed spared his body and contributed to his longevity. However, some critics have advised that Bryant's defensive accolades in his later years were primarily based more on his status than his actual play. By the tip of the season, he averaged 15.5 minutes a game. During the All-Star weekend, Bryant participated within the Rookie Challenge and won the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest, turning into the youngest dunk champion at the age of 18. Bryant's performance all 12 months long earned him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team with fellow bench teammate Travis Knight.