As he scored in bunches, it seemed like nothing could ever stop Kobe Bryant.
Well, except for one thing.
Even as he produced at a prolific rate, the Phoenix Suns once represented a key source of frustration for Bryant as they handed the Lakers consecutive first-round exits (2006, 2007).
“I hated them. They stopped me from getting a championship twice,” Bryant said. “The relationship was a love-hate relationship. I hated the fact that they were that good and kept us winning. But at the same time, I loved how good they were and I knew we had to be better.