He continued his dominant clutch plays making yet one more game-winning three-pointer in opposition to the Sacramento Kings, and what can be the game-winning subject goal towards the Boston Celtics. The following day, he surpassed West to turn out to be the all-time leading scorer in Lakers franchise historical past. After being sidelined for five video games by an ankle injury, Bryant made his return and made another clutch three-pointer to offer the Lakers a one-point lead with 4 seconds remaining in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies. Two weeks later, he made his sixth game-winning shot of the season, against the Toronto Raptors. On January 22, 2006, Bryant scored a career-high 81 points in a 122–104 victory against the Toronto Raptors. In addition to breaking the earlier franchise report of seventy one set by Elgin Baylor, Bryant's 81-point game was the second-highest point complete in NBA history, surpassed solely by Chamberlain's 100-point sport in 1962.

AI additionally had extra assists than anybody from the Lakers and was just 4 shy of L.A.'s complete assists manufacturing. More than these, he scored forty one points with Kobe Bryant tasked to guard him, and that is what challenged Kobe Bryant. O’Neal would go away for the Miami Heat in 2004, serving to that team to an NBA championship one season later, whereas the Lakers retooled their roster. Kobe Bryant enjoyed spending time with all his kids and wanted to do every little thing he may to help his daughter Gianna play they recreation they loved. Among one of the best one-on-one gamers ever, he could beat opponents off the dribble, slashing to the basket for a highlight-reel dunk or pulling up for a medium-range jumper. As his profession continued, he improved upon the shooting acumen that scouts had initially doubted, turning into a risk from long range.

For the NBA 2K21 soundtrack, Damian Lillard, underneath his stage name Dame D.O.L.L.A., released a tribute track additionally titled "Kobe," featuring Snoop Dogg and Derrick Milano. In 2011, Bryant was featured in Taiwanese singer Jay Chou's single "The Heaven and Earth Challenge" (天地一鬥, pronounced "Tian Di Yi Dou"). Not to be confused with the American soccer participant Coby Bryant.

Bryant avoiding a collision in a game against China at the 2008 Summer OlympicsBryant declined to play in the 2000 Olympics because he was getting married in the off-season. He also determined to not play in the 2002 FIBA World Championship. Bryant was originally chosen for the FIBA Americas Championship in 2003 but withdrew after present process arthroscopic shoulder and knee surgical procedures. In the next summer season, he had to withdraw from the Olympic team because of his sexual assault case. Along with LeBron James, he was one of the first two gamers to be publicly named to the 2006–2008 U.S. preliminary roster in 2006 by Jerry Colangelo. However, he was once once more sidelined after knee surgical procedure and didn't participate in the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

Carr devoured every YouTube video on Kobe there was. In 2020, Carr wore a sleeve on his left arm throughout the season to honor Kobe and had a Mamba Mentality mantra poster in his weight room. In 2022, Carr adopted a stretching routine that Bryant had suggested to him years earlier. The image of Bryant being less than “thrilled” with the not-so-maniacal work ethic of a teammate has turn out to be the middle of his persona. Though he will never usurp the greatness of Michael Jordan within the public consciousness, he has probably already surpassed MJ by means of the terror and antipathy he instills in those who play alongside him.

I know that they are hell-bent about having a championship caliber staff subsequent season, as am I. I actually have “like minds.” You know, I’ve been fortunate to play in Los Angeles, the place there are lots of people like me. People who really feel like God put them on earth to do whatever it is that they do.

Despite Bryant's 27.9 factors per recreation in the sequence, the Lakers broke down and ultimately fell to the Suns in seven games. After scoring 50 points on 20 of 35 taking pictures within the Game 6 loss, Bryant was criticized for only taking three shots in the second half of the 121–90 Game 7 loss to Phoenix. Bryant obtained a quantity of awards for his outstanding efficiency throughout his senior yr at Lower Merion. These included being named Naismith High School Player of the Year, Gatorade Men's National Basketball Player of the Year, a McDonald's All-American, a first-team Parade All-American and a USA Today All-USA First Team player. Bryant's varsity coach, Greg Downer, commented that he was "a whole participant who dominates" and praised his work ethic, even as the group's high participant. In 1996, Bryant took R&B singer Brandy to her Hollywood High senior prom.

His dad, Jellybean Joe Bryant, was a professional basketball player, too. Kobe attended Lower Merion High School in a suburb of Philadelphia. He was a standout basketball player and earned several awards together with the Naismith High School Player of the Year.