General Manager Jerry West, Kobe Bryant and Head Coach Del Harris of the Los Angeles Lakers stand together to present Bryant at a press conference after selecting Bryant with the thirteenth overall pick in the draft on July 12, 1996 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. (Credit: Juan Ocampo/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant and Eddie Jones
Guards Kobe Bryant (left) and Eddie Jones of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during a game against the Utah Jazz at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. The Lakers won the game 104-87. Jones, who attended college in Bryant's hometwon Philadelphia, served as a mentor to the young Mamba. (credit: Aubrey Washington/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant as a rookie
Guard Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a game against the San Antonio Spurs at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. The Lakers won the game 98-88. (credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant and Nick Van Exel
Nick Van Exel and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers argue during a game against the Utah Jazz at the NBA Western Conference Finals at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The two stars reportedly had a tense relationship, and Van Exel was traded in June of 1998. (credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant's reverse slam
Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a reverse slam dunk against the Minnesota Timberwolves during an NBA game at the Staples Center circa 1998 in Los Angeles, California. The move has become one of Bryant's signatures. (credit: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait on Sept. 1, 1997 in Florida. (credit: Andy Hayt/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers gets ready for game four of the 2002 NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets at the Continental Airlines Arena on June 12, 2002 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Lakers would win the series to give the team three straight championships, and make Bryant the youngest player ever with three rings. (credit: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan
A 19-year-old Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan talk during a free-throw attempt. To many, Bryant was seen as the player to fill Jordan's shoes after his retirement. (credit: VINCENT LAFORET/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant defends against Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls eyes the basket as he is guarded by Bryant. (credit: Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant as a rookie
Kobe Bryant of the Western Conference drives to the basket during the 1997 Rookie All-Star Game on February 8, 1997 in Cleveland. Bryant scored 31 points and hauled in 8 rebounds, but the West fell to the East 96-91. (credit: Andy Hayt/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant catches some air at a dunk contest
Kobe Bryant dunks at the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest in Cleveland. Bryant beat out future stars such as Michael Finley and Ray Allen for the title. (credit: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant accepts his dunk contest trophy
Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers is presented with his trophy after winning the 1997 Nestle Crunch Slam Dunk Contest on February 8, 1997 at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. (credit: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant defends against Gary Payton
Seattle SuperSonic Gary Payton drives past Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant during the fourth quarter of their Western Conference semifinals playoff game in Seattle, Washington. The two would later team up in the 2003-2004 season and help lead the Lakers to the NBA Finals, losing to Detroit. (credit: Dan Levine/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant sidelined with wrist injury
Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant, side lined with a broken right hand, talks to teammate Derek Fisher during the 2nd quarter action against the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1999. Bryant and Fisher have played together for all but three years of their careers and won four titles together. (credit: Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a photo in 1998. (credit: Jon SooHoo/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant faces the Pacers
Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Reggie Miller #31 of the Indiana Pacers during Game Five of the 2000 NBA Finals. The Lakers would win in six games for their first title in 12 years, and the beginning of three straight, turning Kobe Bryant into a household name. (credit: Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal pose with the NBA Championship trophy
Shaquille O'Neal #34 and Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers pose for a photo after winning the NBA Championship on June 19, 2000 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (credit: Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant and fiancee, Vanessa
Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers and fiancee Vanessa Lang celebrate winning the 2000 NBA Championship. The two would get married the next year and have remained married, with 2 kids, despite a 2003 sexual assault scandal. (credit: Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal with Laker great, Magic Johnson
Shaquille O'Neal #34 and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers pose with Lakers legend Magic Johnson after defeating the Indiana Pacers in the 2000 NBA Finals. The trio can boast a combined 12 rings with the Lakers and 13 overall. (credit: Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant talks to Allen Iverson
Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers chats with Allen Iverson #3 of the Philadelphia 76ers during game five of the 2001 NBA Finals in Philadelphia. Relations between Bryant and the fans in his hometown have often been tense. (credit: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant focuses before the NBA Finals
Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers collects his thoughts prior to facing off against the Philadelphia 76ers in game five of the NBA FInals June 15, 2001 at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (credit: Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant naps with the NBA Championship trophy
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers naps with the NBA Championship trophy on board the Lakers' team flight back to Los Angeles the day after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers to win the 2001 NBA Championship, the team's second in a row. (credit: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant salutes
Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers salutes the crowd after defeating the New Jersey Nets in Game four of the 2002 NBA Finals. the Lakers swept the series for third straight championship. (credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
President George W. Bush congratulates Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers presents President W. George Bush with a personalized Lakers jersey during the Lakers visit to the White House in Wahington D.C. to honor their 2001 NBA Championship. (credit: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)
Three-peat!
Guard Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers holds the championship trophy at the back of the team bus the day after winning the 2002 NBA Championship against the New Jersey. (credit: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant talks to Richard Hamilton of the Detroit Pistons
Richard Hamilton #32 of the Detroit Pistons talks with Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at Staples Center on November 24, 2003. The Lakers won 94-89, but missed a chance for a fourth straight ring, losing to the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs in the Conference Semifinals. (credit: Noah Graham/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant defends against LeBron James
LeBron James and Kobe Bryant meet for the first time, January 12, 2003 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (credit: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant shoots over Shaquille O'Neal
Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers puts up a shot against Shaquille O'Neal #32 of the Miami Heat on December 25, 2004, the first meeting between the two since O'Neal was traded. The Heat defeated the Lakers in overtime 104-102. (credit: Noah Graham/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant talks to Rudy Tomjanovich
Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to head coach Rudy Tomjanovich during the game against the Dallas Mavericks. Along with Phil Jackson, Tomjanovich is one of only two coaches in Bryant's pro career, manning the ship for 41 games in 2005. (credit: Glenn James/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal #32 of the Miami Heat shows his back to Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Miami. Following their split, the two made little secret of their tense relationship. The Heat defeated the Lakers 97-92. (credit: Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant greets Shaquille O'Neal
Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers greets Shaquille O'Neal #32 of the Miami Heat during the captains meeting at center court on January 16, 2006 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, O'Neal's first trip back after being traded. (credit: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant scores 81 points against the Toronto Raptors
Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers puts up a shot over Jalen Rose #5 of the Toronto Raptors on January 22, 2006 at Staples Center. Bryant scored 81 points, the highest total in 44 years and second highest of all time. (credit: Noah Graham/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant's buzzer beater against the Suns
Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the buzzer beating game winning shot in overtime against the Phoenix Suns in game four of the 2006 Western Conference Quarterfinals. Bryant has become notorious for hitting the big shot. (credit: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)
Jerry Buss congratulates Kobe Bryant on his MVP award
Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers is congratulated by Los Angeles Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss during the 2007-08 NBA Most Valuable Player Award press conference. The award was Bryant's first and only MVP to date. (credit: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson
Kobe Bryant #24 and Phil Jackson, head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate after defeating the Orlando Magic in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals. It was the fourth championship for the pair and first since 2002. (credit: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant buzzer beater
Kobe Bryant #24 and Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate a game winning shot by Bryant during the game against the Miami Heat on December 4, 2009 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (credit: Noah Graham/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant shoes
A close-up view of the sneakers of Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers are shown during NBA action against the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center on January 26, 2010. Bryant has drawn attention for his unconventional low-top shoes, which he says were inspired by soccer cleats. (credit: Ned Dishman/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant and Jerry West
Kobe Bryant presents a Lakers jersey to President Obama
President Barack Obama poses for photographs with Kobe Bryant and members of the National Basketball Association 2009 champions Los Angeles Lakers in the East Room of the White House on Jan. 25, 2010, in Washington, D.C. (credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant plays against the Oklahoma Thunder
Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles to the basket in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Ford Center. The Lakers won in six games to advance. (credit: Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant and his dad
Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers laughs with father Joe Jelly Bean Bryant before playing the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Two of the 2010 Western Conference Quarterfinals. Despite a two-year estrangement, the two are again on good terms. (credit: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant's father greets him after a game
Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers is greeted by his father, Joe, following his team's victory over the Utah Jazz in Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals. The elder Bryant raised his son in Italy, where he played and still coaches professional basketball. Kobe says he still speaks fluent Italian. (credit: Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)
Utah Jazz fans taunt Kobe Bryant
The hostile crowd in Utah wouldn't stop Kobe from putting up another 30 points in a playoff game against the Jazz in 2010. The Lakers would sweep the Jazz. (credit: Noah Graham/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol
Both Kobe and Pau Gasol scored 30+ points in the clinching game in the 2010 Western Conference Semifinal against the Utah Jazz. (credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant
In perhaps his most efficient playoff game ever, Kobe scored 40 points on just 23 shots. The Lakers crushed the Phoenix Suns 128-107 in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (credit: Noah Graham/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant against the Celtics
Kobe praises teammate Ron Artest in the Lakers' Game 1 victory against the Boston Celtics in the 2010 NBA Finals. (credit: Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
Kobe Bryant Celebrates
Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after winning over the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals on June 17, 2010 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (credit: Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images)
