Bryant was the first guard drafted directly out of excessive school. After the draft, the trade was put in jeopardy when Divac threatened to retire rather than be traded from Los Angeles. However, on June 30, Divac relented on his risk and the trade was made final on July 9, 1996, when the league's low season moratorium ended. Since Bryant was nonetheless 17 at the time, his parents needed to cosign his contract with the Lakers till he was able to sign his own when he turned 18 earlier than the season started. Bryant signed a three-year rookie contract totaling $3.5 million. “Me sitting here, doing this interview—I don’t have to do that,” he says.

So I’m capturing around and there’s still about forty five minutes until tip. Kobe’s on the opposite end, still taking pictures, and I’m glancing over at him. Suddenly, there was a ladder being set up beneath the basket. Kobe’s pointing up at the rim and the maintenance guys are positioning the ladder. I’m standing at half court docket watching the scene play out, and Kobe starts strolling over to me. “Something wrong with the rim.” “Oh yeah?

Statistically, the 2000–01 season saw Bryant perform similarly to the previous 12 months, however he averaged six extra factors per sport (28.5). It was additionally the yr when disagreements between Bryant and O'Neal started to surface. Once again, Bryant led the team in assists, with five per game. The Lakers, however, only gained 56 games, an 11-game dropoff from the previous 12 months. The Lakers would reply by going 15–1 in the playoffs.

One of the coolest moments I had with Kobe was after I obtained a name from him through the Finals. I’m in a restaurant, I see my cellphone ring, and I see it’s Kobe. I run out the restaurant quick because it’s so loud in the 112. ’ And so I’m sitting there, and I’m giving Kobe Bryant a few of my ideas of what I do. I was like, ‘Man, Kobe just reached out to me for recommendation. What I did regulate, though, was how I diversified my strategy from player to participant.

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Bryant led the staff to 2 consecutive championships in 2009 and 2010, and was named NBA Finals MVP on both occasions. He continued to be among the high gamers in the league via 2013, when he suffered a torn Achilles tendon at age 34. He subsequently suffered season-ending accidents to his knee and shoulder, respectively, within the following two seasons. Citing bodily decline, Bryant retired after the 2015–16 season. On January 10, 2012, Bryant scored forty eight factors against the Suns.

He famous that it has been the "helicopter of choice" for Queen Elizabeth II, amongst other high dignitaries, since 2009. Minutes later, there was a shift change at the Southern California TRACON, which supplies air visitors control companies to airports within the region. And the helicopter was heading into more and more mountainous terrain, the place visibility that morning was poor. What happened in return was a shift within the Drew League’s reputation, saving the league. Dino Smiley told Yahoo Sports in 2016 that he had deliberate on the 2011 season being the final.

Bryant not often draws charges taking part in protection, which he believes has spared his physique and contributed to his longevity. Some critics have instructed that the defensive accolades in his later years have been earned more on his popularity than his actual play. His position with the Lakers turned more focused on offense and conserving his energy for the playoffs, and Metta World Peace assumed the duty of guarding the opponent's top player on the wing. Bryant requested that opposing teams on the road not maintain any on-court ceremonies in his honor or current him any presents in public. Bryant died at age 41, along together with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others, in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. A number of tributes and memorials have been subsequently issued, including renaming the All-Star Game MVP Award in his honor.