Kobe Bryant retires after long, successful career in NBA
R. Nicholas Evans
Mesa Legend
The most Beloved and Hated champion started early. At the time, he was the youngest player drafted into the league, after winning a state championship for Lower Merion HS. Kobe was a Phenom, who instantly opened eyes and imaginations with his potential. Including his fearless finishing and cutthroat competitiveness. Cocky or confident, Kobe displayed an incredible skillset but also a constant inconsistency in sportsmanship and leadership. The media quickly dawned Kobe the second coming of Michael Jordan and for good reason. He became the living, breathing commercial, ‘Be like Mike’.
From his Nike kicks to the way he chewed his gum. Not to mention, his identical playing style.
Including the Jordan-esque, turnaround fade-away. Though Kobe’s reputation was perceived differently, more stubborn & self-serving. A public opinion he would never shake. Kobe’s biggest career rival was his own teammate, the larger than life, Shaquille O’Neal. Who signed via free agency the year Kobe was drafted. They became the greatest one-two punch in league’s history, were always up in arms at one another.It wasn’t until 1999, when the (Zen Master) Phil Jackson arrived on the show.
Signing on as the head coach that the team’s performance as a whole peaked and ultimately prevailed to three straight championships from 2000 to 2002. Though the success was short lived, instead of bringing the Lakers superstars Kobe and Shaq together, it inevitably ripped the two apart. As Kobe and Shaq publicly and increasingly disavowed one another. Eventually, the Lakers controversially traded Shaq, out of the fear of possible losing Kobe to free agency if they didn’t. After Shaq was shipped to Miami, Kobe at the time, signed a record breaking contract, a $136 million extension.
Kobe, the offensive spectacle on the court, suddenly became a defendant of sexual-assault case, in a court. The case was eventually dropped, there was a out-of-court settlement, which included a public apology from Kobe to the plaintiff. The damage was irreparable. No longer was Kobe the league’s poster child. Following the Shaq trade, the Lakers struggled to make any legitimate run at an NBA championship, even with Kobe capturing back to back scoring titles in 05’ & 06’.
Also in 06’, Kobe unleashed an unforgettable performance in front of a Los Angeles crowd, scoring 81 points. A stat line unheard of in the modern era.
Though, it wasn’t until 2008 that the Lakers as a team began regaining championship form, with the deepening of overall team talent. In 09’ Kobe Bryant become the league’s regular season MVP for his first and only. The Lakers became world champions in 2009 and 2010 with Kobe receiving both Final’s MVP awards. In the end, Kobe’s career started to fade like it began, immensely captivating but undeniably flawed. On Nov. 29 2015, the Los Angeles Lakers All-time leading scorer and the NBA’s All-time record holder for missed field goals, announced his retirement, making it officially his final season. The 20-year veteran won five NBA Championships.
