In addition to his talents on offense, Bryant additionally established himself as a standout defensive player. Bryant not often drew expenses when he played protection, which he believed spared his body and contributed to his longevity. However, some critics have instructed that Bryant's defensive accolades in his later years were based mostly more on his popularity than his precise play. By the end of the season, he averaged 15.5 minutes a recreation. During the All-Star weekend, Bryant participated within the Rookie Challenge and won the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest, turning into the youngest dunk champion at the age of 18.

The following day, Bryant declined a suggestion to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers and re-signed with the Lakers on a seven-year contract. The announcement drew a powerful reaction, significantly from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. "With 17 NBA All-Star choices, an NBA MVP, five NBA championships with the Lakers, two Olympic gold medals and a relentless work ethic, Kobe Bryant is among the biggest gamers in the historical past of our recreation," Silver mentioned in a press release. "Whether competing within the finals or hoisting leap pictures after midnight in an empty gym, Kobe has an unconditional love for the game."

In Boston on February 10, Bryant scored 20 of his 23 points in the second half as the Lakers rallied from an early 15-point deficit for a 92–86 win over the Celtics. It was the Lakers' first victory of the season in opposition to one of many league's prime 4 groups, as they entered the sport 0–5 in previous matchups and had been outscored by an average of 11 points. During the season, Bryant moved from 12th to 6th place on the NBA all-time profession scoring listing, passing John Havlicek, Dominique Wilkins, Oscar Robertson, Hakeem Olajuwon, Elvin Hayes, and Moses Malone.

Once again, Bryant led the staff in assists, with 5 per game. The Lakers, however, solely received 56 games, an 11-game dropoff from the earlier yr. The Lakers would reply by going 15–1 within the playoffs. They simply swept the Portland Trail Blazers in the first spherical. In the semifinals spherical, the Lakers swept the Sacramento Kings. In Game 4 in opposition to the Kings, Bryant recorded forty eight points, sixteen rebounds and three assists in a 119–113 series-clinching win.

A number of journalists have attributed the improved gross sales to Bryant's new number, in addition to his continuing All-Star efficiency on the court. In the 2007 NBA Playoffs, the Lakers had been as soon as again eliminated within the first round by the Phoenix Suns, 4–1. The 2005–06 NBA season would mark a crossroads in Bryant's basketball profession. Despite past differences with Bryant, Phil Jackson returned to teach the Lakers.

On January 11, 2013, Bryant and his spouse each announced through social media that they'd known as off their divorce. In early December 2016, Vanessa gave start to their third daughter, and in January 2019 the Bryants introduced they had been anticipating a fourth daughter. Bryant was within the constructing and dealing on his debut album. The two started courting and became engaged six months later in May 2000, whereas Laine was still a senior at Marina High School in Huntington Beach, California.

"Today marks the successful end result of Mrs. Bryant's brave battle to carry accountable those who engaged in this grotesque conduct," said Luis Li, attorney for Vanessa Bryant, Kobe Bryant's wife. "She fought for her husband, her daughter, and all those in the community whose deceased family were treated with similar disrespect." In 2003, Bryant was accused of rape by a 19-year-old lodge worker in Colorado. Kobe admitted to cheating on his wife Vanessa, but claimed the sex was consensual. The alleged victim finally dropped the case; in accordance with some research, the results of the case are nonetheless being felt, with rape victims much less prepared than ever to publicly accuse their attackers out of worry of being publicly shamed. There’s not a member of the basketball neighborhood that doesn’t understand Bryant’s influence or doesn’t desire that he made it past the age of 41, just a little under four years after he hung up his jersey for the ultimate time.

I encourage entrepreneurs to consider the product, the common denominator with you as the founder, and how that hyperlinks to human nature. Then the brand story turns into something bigger than the founder and units the tone, tenor and path for people, internally and externally. That approach has by no means wavered – from basketball to business.