In addition to being a thorn in the side of the Houston Rockets during his reign atop the sport, Kobe Bryant transcended the game of basketball. In a land long before NBA news and highlights circulated rapidly across the digital space, Kobe was widely revered by fans as the most captivating player in his profession. The late great legend, whose game drew many comparisons to Michael Jordan, is regarded by the majority of his league-wide peers as one of the game’s greatest players.
The man known as The Black Mamba would utilize his on-court alter ego to propel his team to wins come crunch time over the course of many games, including on the league’s premier stage when called upon, capturing five championships during his 20-year stint donning the purple and gold.