The U.S. women's basketball staff won its gold medal the earlier night of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and Leslie did not want to put on it out to the boys's final. In 2003, Kobe was accused of sexual assault however the case was dismissed in 2004 and a civil lawsuit was settled out of court. Stop by for the scores, stay for the tales shared in our Sports newsletter. Cress also wonders if Zobayan might need felt strain to complete the flight on time that day – stress that may have stored him flying through the fog, into hilly terrain, when maybe he should have turned around.

In addition, he averaged 6.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and a pair of.2 steals per game, all career highs to that time. Bryant was once again voted to each the All-NBA and All-Defensive 1st groups, and got here in third place in voting for the MVP award. After finishing 50–32 in the regular season, the Lakers floundered within the playoffs and misplaced in the Western Conference semi-finals to the eventual NBA champions San Antonio Spurs in six games. He also had a profession high forty six.9% taking pictures and once once more led his group in assists. While making the All-Star team and All-NBA Defensive team once more, he was additionally promoted to the All-NBA First Team for the first time in his career. The Lakers won fifty eight games that 12 months and completed second place in the Pacific Division behind in-state rival Sacramento Kings.

The following day, he surpassed Jerry West to become the all-time leading scorer in Lakers franchise history. After being sidelined for five games from an ankle harm, Bryant made his return and made one other clutch three-pointer to give the Lakers a one-point lead with four seconds remaining towards the Memphis Grizzlies. Two weeks later, he made his sixth game-winning shot of the season in opposition to the Toronto Raptors. After the Lakers misplaced the 2004 NBA Finals, O'Neal was traded and Bryant became the cornerstone of the Lakers. He led the NBA in scoring through the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons. In 2006, he scored a career-high eighty one factors; the second most factors scored in a single sport in league historical past, behind Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point sport in 1962.

One of the good moments I had with Kobe was when I obtained a name from him through the Finals. I’m in a restaurant, I see my phone ring, and I see it’s Kobe. I run out the restaurant quick as a end result of it’s so loud within the 112. ’ And so I’m sitting there, and I’m giving Kobe Bryant a few of my tips of what I do. I was like, ‘Man, Kobe simply reached out to me for advice. What I did adjust, although, was how I various my approach from participant to player.

His streak would be snapped at 10 on December 28 in a 104–87 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, when he scored 27 points, sitting out the whole fourth quarter. In a move to improve the team's protection, D'Antoni started having Bryant guard the opponent's best perimeter player; Bryant was the primary defender on the Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving, who was held to fifteen factors. Bryant acknowledged he was a extra centered defender when he had a difficult defensive task versus when he played off the ball towards weaker players.

Together together with his spouse, Bryant based the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation . Its targets are "serving to younger folks in want, encouraging the event of bodily and social abilities via sports activities and aiding the homeless". Bryant spoke of the injustice aimed at homeless people who discover themselves blamed for his or her scenario, saying that homelessness should not be ignored or made a low precedence. Bryant stated he wished extra out of life than only a successful basketball profession.

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 as soon as once more sidelined after knee surgery and didn't participate within the 2006 FIBA World Championship. On March 28, Bryant scored a season-high 53 factors to go with 10 rebounds in a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. In that collection, Bryant averaged 22.6 points per recreation and four.four assists whereas shooting 35.1% from the sector.

By the top of the 2005–06 season, Bryant set Lakers single-season franchise information for most 40-point games and most points scored . He received the league's scoring title for the primary time by averaging 35.four points per recreation, turning into simply the fifth player in league history to common a minimum of 35 in a season. Bryant finished in fourth place within the voting for the 2006 NBA Most Valuable Player Award however received 22 first place votes—second only to winner Steve Nash. Bryant played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1996 till 2016, successful 5 NBA Championships and the 2008 Most Valuable Player award while making the All-Star group in 18 of his 20 seasons. By his mid-career, Bryant had established himself as one of many best gamers in NBA history, recognized for his clutch taking pictures, capable defending, work ethic, and longevity. He was accused of sexual assault in 2003, a charge which he settled out of court—the episode cost him a few of his most profitable sponsorship offers, but he retained his status as one of many wealthiest and most beloved American athletes.