Everyone who’s heard of Kobe Bryant knows about the 81 points he scored against the Toronto Raptors, he was part of one of the best one two punch duos of all time with Shaquille O’Neal, and has won five championships. The dedication, the love he has shown to the game, the passion he has every game will never be forgotten. For the past 20 years Bryant has given everything. Let’s take a look back at his amazing journey through the NBA (National Basketball Association).

“The Portland playoff game where he gave the lob alley-oop to shaq, that moment was, to me, kobe’s coming out party to the NBA and I knew that he was going to be a superstar for a long time,” fan, Bo Kim, said.

Bryant was drafted in the first round, 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets but was later traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant’s rookie year he averaged 15 minutes, 7.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, and .7 steals per game. His sophomore year he averaged 26 minutes, 15.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and .9 steals per game. This was Bryant’s breakout year, and everyone knew after that season Bryant would be on the same elite level like Jordan or Magic Johnson eventually.

1999 was the year everything changed for Bryant, Phil Jackson came to the Los Angeles Lakers. Jackson was the head coach for the Chicago Bulls during their dynasty. His system the triangle offense was basically when the guard passes to the wing and cuts to the strong-side corner. The triangle is created from a post player on the strong-side block, the strong-side corner, and the extended strong-side wing, who gains possession on the first pass. The desired initial option in the offense is to pass to the strong-side post player on the block who is in good scoring position. From there the player has the options of looking to score or pass to one of the perimeter players who are exchanging from strong-side corner and wing, a dive cut down the lane, or the opposite wing flashing to the top of the key which initiates another common option known as the “pinch post. This is what helped the Bulls win their six championships. This same system helped the Lakers win 2000, 2001, and 2002.

2003-2006 was the year Bryant came up short. During the 2002-2003 season the Lakers lost to the Spurs in six games in the semi western finals. 2003-2004 season the Lakers were trying to make another push for a championship. The Lakers were able to sign all stars Karl Malone and Gary Payton. They were able to reach all the way to the finals but they were upset by the Detroit Pistons who haven’t won a championship since 1990.

2009 was Kobe’s fourth championship against the Orlando Magic with Dwight Howard leading his team to the NBA finals for the first time since 1995. The Magic would lose to the Lakers in five games. Kobe’s fifth championship was against the Boston Celtics a long time rival to the Los Angeles Lakers.

​“Going up against three sure Hall of Famers, being down in the series 3-2, having lost to them in 2008, understanding the history of the rivalry and all that goes on there. Having a broken finger and playing with a cast. All those things make that championship more special than the rest,” Bryant said.

This series was the only series in Bryant’s career to go up to all seven games. Following this series Bryant finally couldn’t fight it off anymore, he was losing the battle that all veteran athletes have faced, father time.

After winning his fifth championship Bryant was chasing after his sixth one, however injuries prohibited him from chasing his goal. During the 2013-2015 season Bryant had injured his left knee with a lateral tibial plateau fracture., achilles, and a rotator cuff tear in his right shoulder.

The beginning of the 2015-2016 season Bryant had announced his retirement on Nov. 29, 2015. He had written a poem called “Dear Basketball” to say goodbye to the game he has fallen in love with ever since he’s been a kid.

Bryant’s last game will be at 9:30 p.m. against the Utah Jazz. This will be Bryant’s last chance to be on the hardwood floors, hear the roar of the fans chanting his name, and playing basketball. The thing he loves most in the world. Kobe Bryant has given his all to the NBA. Appearing in 18 All Star-games, 15 time member of the All NBA Team, and 12 time member of the All Defensive Team He has led the league in scoring twice, and he ranks third on both the league’s all-time regular season scoring and all-time postseason scoring lists. Fans everywhere should pay homage to Bryant and watch his last game, one of the greatest basketball players in the league is finally retiring, thank you Kobe Bryant for giving your all for the past 20 years. You will surely be missed.

Photo Credits: Mike Bresnahan