The Mamba is human, and so Kobe Bryant turns 35 today. While he’s convalescing — as only he can — it’s important to take stock of a 17-year career that will end with induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA. He’s one the top 10 players of all time, he’s got five rings — the same number as Magic, and he’s not done just yet.
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The early years: rookie maturation, figuring out whether he can play on the NBA level, high-flying dunks, acrobatic drives in the lane and the beginning of the thirst for success that would follow.
1996-97
1997-98
1998-99
Keep reading to see the first title years of Kobe’s career.
The next phase of Bryant’s career was one of championship glory, but it was tethered to the big man inside, Shaquille O’Neal. They’ve recently dropped their beef with both considering the other as an equal. Shaq now has nothing but praise for Kobe’s competitive fire, and Kobe acknowledges how dominant Shaq was during this stretch of three-straight titles.
1999-00
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
Keep reading for the Kobe Bryant scoring bonanza years (aka “SMUSH was a teammate”).
The first year featured here was Kobe’s last with Shaq, but with the added bonus of Gary Payton and Karl Malone coming on for an attempt to finally get that title. Unfortunately for the old additions (though GP would win one with Miami), the Pistons beat them in five games for Larry Brown‘s first and only NBA title.
This stretch also includes the years after Shaq left, when Smush Parker was considered a second scoring option after Kobe. Yeah, that happened, and Kobe certainly hasn’t forgotten.
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
Back comes Phil Jackson to coach Kobe, and Mitch Kupchak fleeces Vancouver/Memphis by acquiring Pau Gasol for next-to-nothing. Today we realize this trade actually landed Memphis Pau’s brother, Marc Gasol, the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year, so this trade wasn’t nearly as one-sided as it appeared at the time. Regardless, it would let Kobe again compete for a title. He’d just have to wait a year to get his revenge on the Celtics.
2006-07
2007-08
Keep reading to see the back-to-back championships from Kobe.
First Kobe’s Lakers defeat Orlando for Bryant’s first title since Shaq left. Then came the seven-game 2010 NBA Finals slugfest in a rematch of the 2008 NBA Finals with Kobe and the Lakers beating Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and the Celtics this time. Kobe has Metta World Peace‘s timely three-point and the injury to Kendrick Perkins to thank for that game 7 victory, though.
2008-09
2009-10
Despite their similarities, Kobe Bryant has yet to equal Michael Jordan‘s six NBA championships. Over the last three years, Phil has left the team, and so has Dwight Howard, but Kobe’s continued to amaze even as he’s entered the twilight of his career. Anyone betting against Mamba’s full recovery from the Achilles tendon tear, should probably not say so out loud because that’s just what Kobe thrives on.
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
Keep reading for the top 10 plays of Kobe Bryant’s career.
After all those year-to-year highlights, here are the top 10 plays of Kobe Bryant’s entire career:
It’s been a long trip, with lots of ups and downs, but on the day Kobe turns 36 years old, it’s important to look back at all that he’s already accomplished in his career. We can’t wait for the last act of an incredible basketball odyssey.
[videos via the NBA]
What’s your favorite year of Kobe Bryant’s career?
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