His unbeatable prowess on the basketball court has made Kobe Bryant a basketball legend. His death was mourned by sports fans around the world due to his unending drive when he showed up to the court. He was an 18-time All-star player, a feat he achieved during his stellar 20-year career. He also won 5 NBA championships, an Olympic Gold Medal with Team USA and an Academy Award.
Kobe Bryant played for the Lakers for the entirety of his 20-year career. He died on January 26th, 2020 in a helicopter crash together with his daughter Gianna, who was also a basketball player, and seven other people who were onboard the aircraft with them. He was a highly-respected shooting guard on and off the court, and he entered into the NBA in 1996 straight from high school. Through his talent, perseverance, and passion, Kobe Bryant made the NBA the most fun sport to watch.
Many people followed his success, and in turn, loved the Lakers because of him. He was an inspirational public figure who would continually encourage his fans, and his peers to believe in who they were, both in sports and in the real world. His tremendous talent was greatly on the display for 20 years since he joined the Lakers. He broke many records and accomplished more than most basketball players will ever do in their lifetime.
What Is Kobe Bryant’s Legacy?
Youngest ever player to start a game in the NBA
In 1997, Kobe Bryant made history very early in his professional career. He was only 18 years old when he started at his first-ever NBA game for the LA Lakers. This game was against the Dallas Mavericks which was played on January 28th, 1997.
He holds the record for the most wins for MVP in the NBA all-star games
From 2002 to 2011, Bryant was always shining very bright on the NBA stage, and the All-Star game was where he came alive. There is only one other player in the history of the game that ties him for the most NBA all-star MVP – Most Valued Player wins, which is Bob Pettit. They were both honored with this title four times in their careers.
He was the youngest ever player to appear in more than 1,000 games during his NBA career.
Kobe Bryant started his professional NBA career in 1996 after he was drafted to the Los Angeles Lakers from his former school the charlotte Hornets. Starting his career early at the age of 18 enabled him to be one of the youngest players to ever appear in more than 1,000 games by the time he reached the age of 31 years. This feat he achieved during a, for the LA Lakers against the Memphis Grizzlies.
He holds the record of having the most NBA all-star Game starts
It was only four years ago, when Bryant broke the record of the most NBA games starts of all time, which he accomplished while in Toronto, Canada. This was on 14th February 2016. He had started 15 times by this time, and this record was equaled by his friend LeBron James, on 17th February 2019.
He was the first-ever Basketball player to win an Olympic Medal and an Academy Award
There aren’t many athletes, who have achieved as much as Kobe Bryant has achieved. He took his legacy one step further by becoming the first-ever Basketball player to win an Olympic medal and an Oscar. He won the Gold while playing with the US men’s Basketball national team and won the academy award after creating the animated short story “Dear Basketball.”
The documentary was actually based on a poem he had written earlier while announcing his intention to retire from the NBA. He wrote and narrated the story.
How Famous Was Kobe Bryant?
The fame of Kobe Bryant went well beyond the US. This was well demonstrated by the fact that he was able to sell his jersey five times more than any other basketball player in history. The only other person who would beat him at this was Michael Jordan.
He was the son of Joe “Jelly Bean” Bryant, who had played in the NBA for eight seasons before his retirement. He went to Lower Merion High School, which is in Pennsylvania and there, he was the top basketball player in the country. When he graduated, he declared to be drafted during the 1996 NBA season and went to Charlotte Hornets, who later traded him to the Lakers.
His international popularity actually dwarfed his national celebrity status as he was often mobbed by fans, to a point where he once had to escape from a mob of more than 15,000 of his fans when he had gone to China for a professional appearance in the year 2000.
How Will He Be Remembered?
He shall be remembered within Basketball as one of the most ferocious competitors of all time, one who always demanded the best from his team members, and a tireless worker. He had an intense and almost ruthless insistence and attention to details that made him who he was. His mastery of basketball mechanics, his sound mid-range jump shoots and proper defensive positioning are actually unparalleled.
The Story Of Basketball Legend Kobe Bryant Conclusion
This is one player who will be remembered as not only a basketball great, but also an overall formidable athlete. Leaving such a legacy requires great focus and dedication, and with that comes great fame and appreciation. Kobe Bryant has and will inspire millions of athletes around the globe for years to come.
