The reason for the crash continues to be unknown, because the helicopter was not equipped with a black field. The Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, and the FBI have launched investigations into the crash. On January 28, Bryant's identity was officially confirmed utilizing fingerprints. The following day, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner stated that the official explanation for dying for him and the eight others on the helicopter was blunt force trauma. Aside from his talents on offense, he has established himself as a standout defender.

Bryant made two buzzer-beaters to win the sport and the Pacific Division title. At the end of the fourth quarter, Bryant made a three-pointer with 1.1 seconds left to ship it into overtime. The sport finally went to a second extra time, in which Bryant made one other three-pointer as time expired to lift the Lakers past the Blazers, 105–104. As a outcome, Bryant's point averages greater than doubled, from 7.6 to 15.four points per game.

Statistically, the 2000–01 season noticed Bryant perform similarly to the previous yr, however he averaged six more points per sport (28.5). It was also the yr when disagreements between Bryant and O'Neal began to surface. Once again, Bryant led the group in assists, with 5 per recreation. The Lakers, nevertheless, only received fifty six video games, an 11-game dropoff from the earlier 12 months. The Lakers would respond by going 15–1 within the playoffs.

Whether on the Lakers’ coaching facility or in pickup games at Venice Beach, Bryant remained intent on improving. The Lakers have been a staff in transition within the mid-1990s. A lineup that includes the likes of Vlade Divac and Elden Campbell had yet to re-create the glory of the “Showtime” era.

Rose later admitted he placed his foot beneath Bryant deliberately. Bryant did not return to the game, and he also missed Game 3 due to the injury. In Game 4, Bryant scored 22 points in the second half, and led the group to an OT victory as O'Neal fouled out of the sport.

We have been in a battle with him, and we had been making an attempt to be the most effective player on the earth, just like he was. I grew up with Jordan, Jordan is my favourite player of all time. But when I received within the recreation, Kobe Bryant was that bar for all of us and make no mistake about it we had been trying to make him proud. We by no means most likely spoke it, said it to the media, or stated it to him, however deep down inside, that’s what we were making an attempt to do. And I suppose he knew, as a end result of the finest way that we competed versus each other.

The accuser stated that Bryant raped her in his resort room the night time before Bryant was to have the procedure. Bryant admitted to an adulterous sexual encounter with his accuser, however denied her sexual assault allegation. In his interview with police, Bryant also acknowledged a "frequent" adulterous sexual relationship with another girl named "Michelle" at the time. Bryant scored a profession excessive of 81-points against the Toronto Raptors in Staples Center, second-highest single scoring efficiency in NBA history, surpassed only by Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point sport in 1962. He spoke fluent Spanish, Italian and Chinese along with English with confidence and finesse. The player, who entered the league straight from high school, would typically answer worldwide reporters’ questions in their native languages.

Along with the late Kobe Bryant being named as an NBA 2K24 Cover Athlete, was the announcement of “Mamba Moments” in NBA 2K24. We go over what Mamba Moments are in NBA 2K24 as properly as what the particular potential Kobe challenges we might see on this mode. This comes after Vanessa paid special tribute to Gasol on social media lately, posting a photograph of the two as she wished him a contented birthday. Buy Lakers TicketsBefore all of that, he started his career with Isiah Thomas’ Detroit Pistons, with whom he received his first two NBA titles. The Brooklyn rapper sat down with The Starting Five podcast on Saturday , where he fondly remembered the NBA nice as the host talked about basketball trend in Hip Hop .