'Life is too short to sit around and hold grudges': Kobe Bryant's life and legacy
Remembering Kobe Bryant, 1978-2020
Remembering Kobe Bryant, 1978-2020
Kobe Bryant, 41, was killed on Sunday in a helicopter crash in southern California.
Bryant's death comes a day after LeBron James passed him as No. 3 on the NBA all-time scoring list when he scored 33,643 points.
"Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother," Bryant tweeted Saturday night.
Born in Philadelphia, Bryant was drafted to the NBA straight out of Lower Merion High School near Philadelphia in 1996. He was the youngest player in NBA history at that time, at 18 years, 2 months and 11 days.
Bryant played his entire professional career with the Los Angeles Lakers and won five NBA championships.
Bryant has two Olympic gold medals for men's basketball. He was named the NBA MVP for the 2007-2008 season.
Bryant retired from the NBA in April 2016. He had a sports academy in southern California, called the Mamba Academy, where he coached basketball.
Bryant also won an Academy award for an animated short film based on a poem he wrote in 2015 titled "Dear Basketball."
He was married in 2001 to Vanessa Laine Bryant. The couple had four daughters, including one born in 2019. One of Bryant's daughters, Gianna, was also killed in the crash. She was 13 years old.
Kobe Bryant, 17, jokes with the media as he holds his Los Angeles Lakers jersey during a news conference Friday, July 12, 1996, at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Susan Sterner)
PHOTO: SUSAN STERNER
Newly-acquired Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant walks downcourt during a summer league game against the Detroit Pistons in Long Beach, Calif., on Saturday, July 13, 1996. (AP Photo/Michael Caulfield)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Michael Caulfield
Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant, right, moves past Philadelphia 76ers Allen Iverson during the first half of their game, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 1996, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers goes in for a layup against the Utah Jazz during the second half of their playoff game Thursday, May 8, 1997, in Inglewood, Calif. The Lakers won 104-84. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
PHOTO: CHRIS PIZZELLO
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, center, goes to the basket as teammate Robert Horry, left, and Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone look on during the second half of their game Sunday, April 19, 1998, in Inglewood, Calif. The Lakers won the game 102-98. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant shoots over New York Knicks' Patrick Ewing during the first half of their game Sunday, March 28, 1999, in Inglewood, Calif. The Lakers won the game 99-91. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: MARK J. TERRILL
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, center, goes up for a layup as Golden State Warriors', from left to right, Antawn Jamison, Tim Legler and Jason Caffey look on during the second quarter Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1999, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, left, goes for a layup against San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan during the third quarter Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (8) drives the lane against Houston Rockets' Anthony Miller (2) during the first half in Los Angeles, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2000. Bryant scored 31 points in the Lakers 101-85 win. (AP Photo/E.J. Flynn)
PHOTO: AP Photo/E.J. Flynn
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant drives past Phoenix Suns' Todd Day during the second quarter of their Western conference semifinal game, Wednesday night, May 10, 2000, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won, 97-96. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal hug and lift their arms in victory after taking the NBA Championship in six games with a 116-111 win over the Indiana Pacers in Los Angeles Monday, June 19, 2000. (AP Photo/Michael Caulfield)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Michael Caulfield
Los Angeles Lakers' guard Kobe Bryant gestures to the crowd from atop a doubledecker bus as the Lakers victory parade arrives at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Wednesday, June 21, 2000. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Nick Ut
Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal, left, and teammate Kobe Bryant embrace at mid court during the final second of their victory over the San Antonio Spurs in game two of the Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas, Monday, May 21, 2001. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Eric Gay
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant watches the clock run down the final seconds of Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal against the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday, May 14, 2002, in Los Angeles. Bryant had a team-high 26 points as the Lakers won 93-87 to advance to the Western Conference Finals. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
Los Angeles Lakers Shaquille O'Neal, left, and Kobe Bryant share a laugh on the bench while their teammate take on the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter Tuesday, April 15, 2003, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Bryant scored a game-high 32 points and O'Neal finished with 19 to help defeat the Nuggets, 126-104. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant goes up for a dunk after a breakaway steal during the second quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons, Sunday, June 6, 2004, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, left, poses with new teammate Lamar Odom during the team's media day in El Segundo, Calif., Monday, Oct. 4, 2004. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
PHOTO: CHRIS PIZZELLO
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant goes up for a shot as Denver Nuggets' Nene of Brazil, right, guards and DerMarr Johnson looks on during the first half Sunday, Jan. 2, 2005, in Los Angeles. Bryant was called for an offensive foul on the play. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: MARK J. TERRILL
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant holds the championship trophy and finals MVP trophy after the Lakers beat the Orlando Magic 99-86 in Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals Sunday, June 14, 2009, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
PHOTO: David J. Phillip
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant holds the Larry O'Brien trophy, left, and the most valuable player trophy after winning the NBA basketball championships against the Boston Celtics Thursday, June 17, 2010, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 83-79. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
PHOTO: Jae C. Hong
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, right, puts up a shot as Phoenix Suns center Channing Frye during the second half of their NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 17, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 111-99. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, right, puts up a shot as Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen, center defends and center Dwight Howard looks on during the first half of their NBA basketball game, Friday, April 5, 2013, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 86-84. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) shoots past Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (4), from Poland, in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
PHOTO: Alex Brandon
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) waves as he walks off the court during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 28, 2016, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz won 123-75. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
PHOTO: Rick Bowmer
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant greets fans as he leaves the court after the team's NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Friday, April 8, 2016. The Pelicans won 110-102. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
PHOTO: Gerald Herbert
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, right, fist-bumps his daughter Gianna after the last NBA basketball game of his career, against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, in Los Angeles. Bryant scored 60 points as the Lakers won 101-96. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
PHOTO: Jae C. Hong
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant waves to the crowd during a ceremony before Bryant's last NBA basketball game, against the Utah Jazz, Wednesday, April 13, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant walks off the court after finishing his last NBA basketball game before retirement, against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, in Los Angeles. Bryant scored 60 points as the Lakers won 101-96. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
A giant banner congratulating Kobe Bryant is draped around Staples Center before his last NBA basketball game, a contest against the Utah Jazz, in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
PHOTO: Richard Vogel
Kobe Bryant, 17, jokes with the media as he holds his Los Angeles Lakers jersey during a news conference Friday, July 12, 1996, at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Susan Sterner)
PHOTO: SUSAN STERNER
Newly-acquired Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant walks downcourt during a summer league game against the Detroit Pistons in Long Beach, Calif., on Saturday, July 13, 1996. (AP Photo/Michael Caulfield)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Michael Caulfield
Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant, right, moves past Philadelphia 76ers Allen Iverson during the first half of their game, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 1996, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers goes in for a layup against the Utah Jazz during the second half of their playoff game Thursday, May 8, 1997, in Inglewood, Calif. The Lakers won 104-84. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
PHOTO: CHRIS PIZZELLO
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, center, goes to the basket as teammate Robert Horry, left, and Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone look on during the second half of their game Sunday, April 19, 1998, in Inglewood, Calif. The Lakers won the game 102-98. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant shoots over New York Knicks' Patrick Ewing during the first half of their game Sunday, March 28, 1999, in Inglewood, Calif. The Lakers won the game 99-91. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: MARK J. TERRILL
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, center, goes up for a layup as Golden State Warriors', from left to right, Antawn Jamison, Tim Legler and Jason Caffey look on during the second quarter Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1999, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, left, goes for a layup against San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan during the third quarter Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (8) drives the lane against Houston Rockets' Anthony Miller (2) during the first half in Los Angeles, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2000. Bryant scored 31 points in the Lakers 101-85 win. (AP Photo/E.J. Flynn)
PHOTO: AP Photo/E.J. Flynn
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant drives past Phoenix Suns' Todd Day during the second quarter of their Western conference semifinal game, Wednesday night, May 10, 2000, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won, 97-96. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal hug and lift their arms in victory after taking the NBA Championship in six games with a 116-111 win over the Indiana Pacers in Los Angeles Monday, June 19, 2000. (AP Photo/Michael Caulfield)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Michael Caulfield
Los Angeles Lakers' guard Kobe Bryant gestures to the crowd from atop a doubledecker bus as the Lakers victory parade arrives at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Wednesday, June 21, 2000. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Nick Ut
Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal, left, and teammate Kobe Bryant embrace at mid court during the final second of their victory over the San Antonio Spurs in game two of the Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas, Monday, May 21, 2001. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Eric Gay
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant watches the clock run down the final seconds of Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal against the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday, May 14, 2002, in Los Angeles. Bryant had a team-high 26 points as the Lakers won 93-87 to advance to the Western Conference Finals. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
Los Angeles Lakers Shaquille O'Neal, left, and Kobe Bryant share a laugh on the bench while their teammate take on the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter Tuesday, April 15, 2003, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Bryant scored a game-high 32 points and O'Neal finished with 19 to help defeat the Nuggets, 126-104. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant goes up for a dunk after a breakaway steal during the second quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons, Sunday, June 6, 2004, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, left, poses with new teammate Lamar Odom during the team's media day in El Segundo, Calif., Monday, Oct. 4, 2004. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
PHOTO: CHRIS PIZZELLO
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant goes up for a shot as Denver Nuggets' Nene of Brazil, right, guards and DerMarr Johnson looks on during the first half Sunday, Jan. 2, 2005, in Los Angeles. Bryant was called for an offensive foul on the play. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: MARK J. TERRILL
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant holds the championship trophy and finals MVP trophy after the Lakers beat the Orlando Magic 99-86 in Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals Sunday, June 14, 2009, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
PHOTO: David J. Phillip
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant holds the Larry O'Brien trophy, left, and the most valuable player trophy after winning the NBA basketball championships against the Boston Celtics Thursday, June 17, 2010, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 83-79. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
PHOTO: Jae C. Hong
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, right, puts up a shot as Phoenix Suns center Channing Frye during the second half of their NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 17, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 111-99. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, right, puts up a shot as Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen, center defends and center Dwight Howard looks on during the first half of their NBA basketball game, Friday, April 5, 2013, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 86-84. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) shoots past Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (4), from Poland, in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
PHOTO: Alex Brandon
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) waves as he walks off the court during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 28, 2016, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz won 123-75. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
PHOTO: Rick Bowmer
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant greets fans as he leaves the court after the team's NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Friday, April 8, 2016. The Pelicans won 110-102. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
PHOTO: Gerald Herbert
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, right, fist-bumps his daughter Gianna after the last NBA basketball game of his career, against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, in Los Angeles. Bryant scored 60 points as the Lakers won 101-96. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
PHOTO: Jae C. Hong
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant waves to the crowd during a ceremony before Bryant's last NBA basketball game, against the Utah Jazz, Wednesday, April 13, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant walks off the court after finishing his last NBA basketball game before retirement, against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, in Los Angeles. Bryant scored 60 points as the Lakers won 101-96. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
A giant banner congratulating Kobe Bryant is draped around Staples Center before his last NBA basketball game, a contest against the Utah Jazz, in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
PHOTO: Richard Vogel
Kobe Bryant, 17, jokes with the media as he holds his Los Angeles Lakers jersey during a news conference Friday, July 12, 1996, at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Susan Sterner)
PHOTO: SUSAN STERNER
Newly-acquired Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant walks downcourt during a summer league game against the Detroit Pistons in Long Beach, Calif., on Saturday, July 13, 1996. (AP Photo/Michael Caulfield)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Michael Caulfield
Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant, right, moves past Philadelphia 76ers Allen Iverson during the first half of their game, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 1996, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers goes in for a layup against the Utah Jazz during the second half of their playoff game Thursday, May 8, 1997, in Inglewood, Calif. The Lakers won 104-84. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
PHOTO: CHRIS PIZZELLO
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, center, goes to the basket as teammate Robert Horry, left, and Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone look on during the second half of their game Sunday, April 19, 1998, in Inglewood, Calif. The Lakers won the game 102-98. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant shoots over New York Knicks' Patrick Ewing during the first half of their game Sunday, March 28, 1999, in Inglewood, Calif. The Lakers won the game 99-91. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: MARK J. TERRILL
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, center, goes up for a layup as Golden State Warriors', from left to right, Antawn Jamison, Tim Legler and Jason Caffey look on during the second quarter Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1999, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, left, goes for a layup against San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan during the third quarter Saturday, Dec. 25, 1999, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (8) drives the lane against Houston Rockets' Anthony Miller (2) during the first half in Los Angeles, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2000. Bryant scored 31 points in the Lakers 101-85 win. (AP Photo/E.J. Flynn)
PHOTO: AP Photo/E.J. Flynn
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant drives past Phoenix Suns' Todd Day during the second quarter of their Western conference semifinal game, Wednesday night, May 10, 2000, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won, 97-96. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal hug and lift their arms in victory after taking the NBA Championship in six games with a 116-111 win over the Indiana Pacers in Los Angeles Monday, June 19, 2000. (AP Photo/Michael Caulfield)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Michael Caulfield
Los Angeles Lakers' guard Kobe Bryant gestures to the crowd from atop a doubledecker bus as the Lakers victory parade arrives at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Wednesday, June 21, 2000. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Nick Ut
Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal, left, and teammate Kobe Bryant embrace at mid court during the final second of their victory over the San Antonio Spurs in game two of the Western Conference Finals in San Antonio, Texas, Monday, May 21, 2001. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Eric Gay
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant watches the clock run down the final seconds of Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal against the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday, May 14, 2002, in Los Angeles. Bryant had a team-high 26 points as the Lakers won 93-87 to advance to the Western Conference Finals. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
Los Angeles Lakers Shaquille O'Neal, left, and Kobe Bryant share a laugh on the bench while their teammate take on the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter Tuesday, April 15, 2003, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Bryant scored a game-high 32 points and O'Neal finished with 19 to help defeat the Nuggets, 126-104. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant goes up for a dunk after a breakaway steal during the second quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons, Sunday, June 6, 2004, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, left, poses with new teammate Lamar Odom during the team's media day in El Segundo, Calif., Monday, Oct. 4, 2004. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
PHOTO: CHRIS PIZZELLO
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant goes up for a shot as Denver Nuggets' Nene of Brazil, right, guards and DerMarr Johnson looks on during the first half Sunday, Jan. 2, 2005, in Los Angeles. Bryant was called for an offensive foul on the play. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: MARK J. TERRILL
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant holds the championship trophy and finals MVP trophy after the Lakers beat the Orlando Magic 99-86 in Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals Sunday, June 14, 2009, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
PHOTO: David J. Phillip
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant holds the Larry O'Brien trophy, left, and the most valuable player trophy after winning the NBA basketball championships against the Boston Celtics Thursday, June 17, 2010, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 83-79. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
PHOTO: Jae C. Hong
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, right, puts up a shot as Phoenix Suns center Channing Frye during the second half of their NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 17, 2012, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 111-99. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, right, puts up a shot as Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen, center defends and center Dwight Howard looks on during the first half of their NBA basketball game, Friday, April 5, 2013, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 86-84. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) shoots past Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (4), from Poland, in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
PHOTO: Alex Brandon
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) waves as he walks off the court during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 28, 2016, in Salt Lake City. The Jazz won 123-75. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
PHOTO: Rick Bowmer
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant greets fans as he leaves the court after the team's NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Friday, April 8, 2016. The Pelicans won 110-102. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
PHOTO: Gerald Herbert
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, right, fist-bumps his daughter Gianna after the last NBA basketball game of his career, against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, in Los Angeles. Bryant scored 60 points as the Lakers won 101-96. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
PHOTO: Jae C. Hong
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant waves to the crowd during a ceremony before Bryant's last NBA basketball game, against the Utah Jazz, Wednesday, April 13, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: Mark J. Terrill
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant walks off the court after finishing his last NBA basketball game before retirement, against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, in Los Angeles. Bryant scored 60 points as the Lakers won 101-96. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
PHOTO: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
A giant banner congratulating Kobe Bryant is draped around Staples Center before his last NBA basketball game, a contest against the Utah Jazz, in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
PHOTO: Richard Vogel