His center name, Bean, was derived from his father's nickname "Jellybean". Bryant's family was Catholic and he was introduced up with this faith. In 2003, Bryant was charged with sexual assault, with the alleged sufferer being a 19-year-old resort employee.

On April 12, Bryant suffered a torn Achilles tendon against the Golden State Warriors, ending his season. Lakers common supervisor Mitch Kupchak had spoken to Bryant about his intensive playing time 10 days earlier, but Bryant insisted the minutes needed to continue given the Lakers' playoff push. Bryant had surgical procedure on April thirteen to restore the tear, and it was estimated he would miss six to nine months. He ended the season with customary averages of 27.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6 assists per recreation on forty six.3% taking pictures.

He trails solely Kevin Garnett, however LeBron James is catching up rapidly. Both were named for Bryant, who -- for now -- is the only player named Kobe to make it to the NBA. LAS VEGAS -- There’s Kobe, sporting the uniform of a staff from Los Angeles.

A month later, on the 2006 NBA All-Star Game, the two were seen laughing collectively. In Bryant's second season, he received extra playing time and started to indicate extra of his talents as a proficient young guard. As a outcome, Bryant's point averages greater than doubled from 7.6 to 15.four points per sport. Bryant would see an increase in minutes when the Lakers "performed small", which would function Bryant playing small forwardalongside the guards he would often again up. Bryant was the runner-up for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Award, and through fan voting, he additionally became the youngestNBA All-Star starter in NBA historical past. He was joined by teammates O'Neal, Van Exel, and Jones, making it the primary time since 1983 that four gamers on the same group had been selected to play in the identical All-Star Game.

At the top of the demonstration—and earlier than the forty seconds of b-roll after the credits the place we’re just type of goofing round taking part in one-on-one—I ask him if he has any ultimate thoughts. “Have fun,” he says, wanting straight into the digicam before flashing the peace sign. Bryant embraced the project, which put us all comfy. Still, if I come throughout as jittery within the video, there are good reasons.

However, it was not for anything basketball associated, somewhat it was about Bryant being a big fan of FC Barcelona. CNN estimated Bryant's endorsement offers in 2007 to be value $16 million a 12 months. In 2010, Bryant was ranked third behind Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan in Forbes‍ '​ listing of the world's highest-paid athletes with $48 million. He mentioned his faith and a priest helped him through difficult occasions, such as the period following his accusation of rape. A Catholic cantor said she was inspired by Bryant's religion, and the respect that he showed her. Bryant and his household were common attendees at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newport Beach.

In 2003, Bryant was charged with sexual assault following an accusation by a younger female lodge clerk. The legal costs were dropped after the accuser refused to testify, and a civil suit was settled out of courtroom. Bryant issued a public apology and admitted to a sexual encounter but denied the assault allegation and stated it was consensual. Hopefully, this loud and proud stance men took loving on their daughters will promote a larger sense of gender equality.

In the subsequent three games, Bryant had no less than 10 assists in three wins with a three-game total of 39 assists, the most in his profession. He missed a triple-double in every sport with 9 rebounds twice and eight in the other. In two crucial wins in March, he scored a minimal of forty points and had no less than 10 assists in back-to-back video games, changing into the primary Laker to accomplish the feat since West in 1970. Bryant surpassed Chamberlain to turn out to be the fourth-leading scorer in league history in a March 30, 2013 victory over Sacramento. Aided by the trade for All-Star Pau Gasol, Bryant led his staff to a West-leading 57–25 report. The Lakers swept the Nuggets within the first round and on May 6, 2008, Bryant was officially announced because the league MVP.