Kobe Bryant: Key Moments From His Remarkable Career

Kobe Bryant is a popular basketball player who should be remembered and greatly appreciated. He became a global name during his career of around two decades. But sadly, he passed away after a helicopter accident on January 26, 2020. Bryant secured five NBA championships together with eighteen all-star selections. The basketball star's life is brimful with highlights, all showcasing who he was and his impact on millions across the globe. If you are a Kobe Bryant follower and want to know the key moments in his incredible career, we've got you covered. We will also discuss information regarding Kobe Bryant daughters. Here is a look at his life and career!

Who is Kobe Bryant?

Koby spent the early years of his life in Italy and joined the NBA while still in high school. He was a dominant scorer who won the MVP award 2008 and five NBA titles. Moreover, Kobe proved to be an asset for the Los Angeles Lakers. Although injuries affected him later in his career, he marked his presence for the longest time. He first appeared on the NBA scoring list in December 2014. Below are more details about his career, awards, and achievements. You will also get to know about his family information and net worth.

His Awards and Achievements

Key Moments From His Successful Career

Below are some of Kobe Bryant’s key moments, arranged in chronological order:

1. Bryant's Rookie Season (1997): The Airball That Started It All

A series of airballs would mark the finale of Kobe Bryant’s debut season 1997. But considering the team he was on, he did not have a lot to worry about. It was said that Laker had one of the best backcourts. Kobe’s team pushed through the playoffs against tough teams like the Utah Jazz.  It was expected that the Los Angeles Lakers would lose to Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls in the championship game, even though their final result was a positive note. Kobe's playing time increased during the most recent game due to Scott and Horry's injuries. This gave him sufficient headspace and opportunity to showcase what he was made of.

Bryant took full advantage of his star teammate Shaquille O'Neal's foul call toward the end of the game to win. However, he shot four airballs in crucial moments, especially in the last quarter. Here, he had the opportunity to make the game-winning shot and three more in the overtime. He demonstrated that he was not afraid to fail even though he failed to deliver at the most critical time. Shaquille O'Neal said, "Bryant was the only guy who had the guts to take shots like that at the time."

2. Bryant’s Game 7 Comeback Vs. Portland (2000)

Bryant had made a name for himself by this time. The Lakers won 67 games after he was named an all-star. The team was led by Bryant, O'Neal, and former Bulls coach Phil Jackson. This is still one of the NBA's best regular seasons. It looked like they were just a fresh title away from their success. But an obstinate Portland Trail Blazers team was ready to spoil their party. In the seventh and decisive game of the series, the Lakers stormed back from behind 16 points down in quarter four.

The driving force that allowed the Lakers to dominate the game was O’Neal and Bryant because they worked as a team. Throughout the match, Bryant made four shot blocks, scored 25 points, and grabbed 11 rebounds while simultaneously providing seven assists. This shift in momentum by the Lakers allowed them to progress into the finals instead of being a team that dominated the regular season. And Bryant was headed for the first title of his career.

3. Bryant Steps Up After Shaquille’s Foul-Out in 2000 Finals

The Lakers and the Vertephathi Gump group were on the verge of accepting a draw in the fourth game of the 2000 NBA Finals when Kobe fouled out. The game took a turn when O'Neal was forced to leave. O'Neal had injured his ankle during game three and was missing it entirely. He made shot after shot as he led the Lakers to victory in what appeared to be the ideal Hollywood plot. At only 21 years old, he showed maturity far beyond his age.

4. Bryant Scores 81 Points In A Game (2006)

Kobe was crucial in leading the Lakers to an astounding win over the Toronto Raptors after scoring 81. He took away Wilt Chamberlain’s 1962 record of the most points scored by an individual of 104-122 in an NBA game. Chamberlain previously held the record for an individual who scored the most points in a single game. In 2006, Kobe Bryant scored the highest at 35.4 PPG. He was the only fifth player in history to achieve this marker.

Despite a rather tough season, the Lakers still secured a decent record: 45-37. They scraped through and even had an engaging playoff against the Phoenix Suns, competing in a best-of-7 series against them.

5. Bryant Wins His First Title Without O’Neal (2009)

The Lakers had the best record in the league with an outstanding 65 wins. This guaranteed them a trip to the NBA Finals. They faced off against the Orlando Magic and crushed them in a five-game series. This was to be Kobe Bryant's fourth title." It was the first title that Kobe did not compete with Shaquille O'Neal for, as he claimed back in 2006.

Nevertheless, Kobe's victory ends the rumors that he needs O'Neal's help to win. The following season, Bryant again helped the Lakers claim the title. Then Bryant ended his career with five titles, surpassing O'Neal by one and leaving short of Jordan by one.

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Kobe Bryant Daughters

Kobe Bryant's family has a connection to the sport. It is the same with his mother, who was once a collegiate volleyball player, and his father played in the NBA. There were three children in the family. Kobe was the youngest. There were two older sisters who he adored greatly, Sharia and Shaya. They all lived together until Kobe’s passing.

Kobe Bryant married Vanessa Laine in April 2001. The couple was blessed with four daughters. Kobe Bryant daughters names are Natalia Diamante (2003), Bianka (2016), Gianna (2006–2020), and Capri, who was born in 2019.

Death Tragedy

Kobe perished with his daughter Gianna and eight others in a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter crash somewhere within the first monthly occupier on January 26, 2020. It happened somewhere in Los Angeles. The helicopter was headed to Thousand Oaks, California. Kobe was scheduled to oversee a tournament at The Mamba Sports Academy. 

Kobe Bryant Net Worth

At the time of his death, Kobe's net worth was 600 million dollars. Additionally, he has several investments and endorsements. Kobe approaches business with the same mentality as basketball: analyzing the problem and finding solutions. One of his major investments is Body Armor.