In the build-up to Kobe Bryant’s jersey retirement ceremony, NBA TV and NBA.com will pay tribute to Bryant and his accomplishments, his standout games and more during Kobe Week (Dec. 14-18).
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Five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. 33,570 points, third all time in NBA history. Eighteen All-Star selections. Fifteen All-NBA selections. Four All-Star MVPs. Two Finals MVPs. The 2007-08 regular season MVP.
Together, those stats and accomplishments only being to tell the legacy Kobe Bryant left both in the NBA and the basketball world at large. As the Los Angeles Lakers ready to retire Bryant’s No. 8 and No. 24 jersey on Dec. 18, take a look back at some of the stories, videos and highlights from the best moments in Bryant’s unique career.
Here’s what will air on NBA TV during Kobe Week
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The Young Kobe
* Quote history: Kobe arrives on the scene in L.A.
* Quote history: Bryant’s legacy begins in Lakerland
* Aldridge: Bryant ends his career his way (Editor’s note: Column is from 2015-16 season)
VIDEO
* Kobe comes up short vs. Jazz in 1997
* Top 10 plays from Kobe’s rookie season
* Top 10 plays from Kobe’s second season
* Kobe’s best plays vs. every team
Three-peat time for Lakers
* Quote history: Kobe, Phil, Shaq and the new-look Lakers
* Quote history: A three-peat to remember in Los Angeles
* Quote history: Unique (yet strained) Shaq-Kobe dynamic
* Finals moments: Kobe takes over in Game of 2000 Finals
* Aldridge: Bryant remembers his role as top bad guy to many fans (Editor’s note: Column is from 2015-16 season)
VIDEO
* Kobe’s top 10 plays from 1999-2000
* Kobe’s top 10 plays from 2000-01
* Kobe’s top 10 plays from 2001-02
* Kobe’s best plays vs. every team
The 81-Point Game!
* Quote history: A game like no other for Bryant
* Even today, outburst still amazes Kobe himself
VIDEO
* Kobe 81: The morning of the game
* Kobe 81: Early signs pointed to a big night
* Kobe 81: In second half, ‘things started getting crazy’
* Kobe 81: ‘You get in a zone and stay there’
* Kobe 81: History made at Staples Center
* ‘I didn’t know it would be that big’ of a night
* Kobe tweets thoughts about game in 2013
* Photographer recounts shooting 81-point game
* NBA stars of today reflect on Kobe’s game
* Kobe drops 62 on Mavs in three quarters
* Kobe’s top 10 plays from 2005-06 season
* Kobe’s best plays vs. every team
Renewed glory & a career ends
* Quote history: Championship days return for Lakers, Bryant
* Quote history: Injuries short circuit twilight of career
* Quote history: ‘Our Michael Jordan’ to a generation
* Lakers.com: Crunching numbers from Bryant’s jersey history
* Aldridge: Final game a more than fitting finale for Bryant (Editor’s note: Column is from 2015-16 season)
* Powell: For a generation, Kobe was ‘our Michael Jordan’
VIDEOS
* Top 10 plays from Kobe’s MVP season
* Relive Lakers’ run to 2009 title
* Relive Lakers’ run to 2010 title
* Kobe’s best plays vs. every team
* All-Access: Ultimate look back at Bryant’s career
* Kobe’s best play from each of his All-Star Game appearances
* Final All-Star Game introduction
* Kareem Abdul-Jabbar reads Kobe’s retirement poem | Kareem’s ode to Bryant
* Bryant reflects on amazing career
* Taking stock of Kobe’s impact on NBA
* The Starters: What was Kobe’s best moment?
* LeBron, Curry, others bid adieu to Bryant
* Fans say farewell to their idol
* All-Access: Kobe’s 60-point finale vs. Utah
* A farewell speech to remember
* Top 10 games in Kobe’s career
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MORE KOBE VIDEOS
TOP PLAYS
* Kobe’s top 10 career-best plays
* Great playoff 3-pointers in Kobe’s career
* Milestone baskets in Bryant’s career
* More milestones: 25K points | 30K points | Youngest to 33K
* Best moments from Christmas Day games
* Four straight games of 50+ points in 2007
* Kobe vs. MJ: Similarities and differences
* Through the years: Kobe vs. LeBron James
* Through the years: Kobe vs. the Celtics
* Through the years: Kobe vs. Michael Jordan
* The Starters: Top 10 games in Kobe’s career
* Best moments at Staples Center: In season | In NBA playoffs
REFLECTING ON KOBE
* Shaquille O’Neal recalls Lakers heyday with Kobe
* Charles Barkley praises Kobe’s career
* Reggie Miller reflects on Finals showdown with Kobe
* Inside The NBA: The legacy of Kobe
