Over a 20‑year tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, NBA legend Kobe Bryant won five NBA championships, earned 18 All‑Star selections, and ranks fourth in the league's history with 33,643 career points — a testament to his relentless work ethic, killer instinct and unwavering competitiveness.
Known for his fierce desire to win, Bryant left his mark on the league, as reflected in his impressive career averages of 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.
Drafted out of high school in the first round of the 1996 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets (traded on draft night to the Los Angeles Lakers), Bryant was known as much for his on‑court demeanor and cutthroat approach to the game as for his playmaking abilities.
Former Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24).
Former Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24).
© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
In a memorable recollection on "The Dan Patrick Show" from former NBA champion Iman Shumpert, who faced Bryant during his tenure with the New York Knicks, he recalled an interaction that still resonates today.
"We are headed into the fourth quarter, and we are playing really well," Shumpert said. "I got steals, you know, I'm doing really well against him from my standpoint as a rookie player coming into this league. I'm thinking of all these positive things that I've done to play against this legendary Laker.
"And then at the end of the third quarter, [Kobe] tapped me on the leg and said, ‘you had a great game young fella,’ and my first reaction was, ‘there’s 12 minutes left.’ It's the most disrespectful thing anybody's ever said to me.”
Shumpert went on to explain that it was the last stop of an East Coast trip for the Lakers, and Bryant had apparently reserved some energy for the fourth quarter. This statement reflects not only the competitive fire that Bryant famously brought every night but also the profound impact his presence had on his opponents — even those who performed at their best.
Shumpert’s own career has been noteworthy. A former first‑round pick (17th overall) from Georgia Tech, Shumpert established himself early in the NBA with his defensive tenacity and playmaking ability.
His versatility was further proven when he later joined the Cleveland Cavaliers and won an NBA championship in 2016 alongside LeBron James — a title that remains a highlight of his career. Over his 10-year career in the league, Shumpert averaged 7.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game in 461 regular‑season games.