Criminal expenses have been later dropped after the accuser failed to testify, and a lawsuit was settled out of court docket, with Bryant issuing a public apology and admitting to a sexual encounter he maintained was consensual. The accusation briefly tarnished Bryant's popularity, resulting within the loss of a quantity of of his endorsement contracts. The four-time NBA champion was asked in regards to the twenty third anniversary of Bryant’s excellent ally-oop to O’Neal through the 2000 Western Conference Finals. “Shaq Diesel” and the crew watched footage of the long-lasting play earlier than sharing ideas on the Los Angeles Lakers’ comeback win over the Portland Trailblazers that yr.

By the top of the 2005–06 season, Bryant set Lakers single-season franchise data for many 40-point video games and most factors scored . He won the league's scoring title for the primary time by averaging 35.four points per sport, changing into just the fifth participant in league historical past to common at least 35 in a season. Bryant completed in fourth place in the voting for the 2006 NBA Most Valuable Player Award however acquired 22 first place votes—second solely to winner Steve Nash. Bryant played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1996 till 2016, winning five NBA Championships and the 2008 Most Valuable Player award while making the All-Star group in 18 of his 20 seasons. By his mid-career, Bryant had established himself as one of the greatest players in NBA historical past, known for his clutch taking pictures, capable defending, work ethic, and longevity.

Throughout his profession, he has been disparaged for being a egocentric high-volume shooter; he has missed more field goal makes an attempt in his profession than any other player in NBA historical past. On June 23, 2008, he was named to the USA Men's Senior National Team for the 2008 Summer Olympics. Bryant declined to play within the 2000 Olympics as he was getting married in the off-season. Bryant was initially chosen for the FIBA Americas Championship in 2003, but withdrew after undergoing arthroscopic shoulder and knee surgical procedures.

While discovery and pretrial hearings consequentially occurred, Bryant's accuser ultimately requested the prosecutors to drop the legal case. The girl's attorneys mentioned the reality that her name and highly sensitive transcripts were leaked to the media caused her to lose religion within the justice system, and considered one of her attorneys didn't count on the trial to be successful for the girl. In 1997 throughout Bryant's rookie 12 months, he made historical past because the youngest Slam Dunk Champion ever. An 18-year-old Bryant placed on a present with unbelievable style, rhythm, attitude, and confidence to charm the judges against other competitors including Ray Allen, Chris Carr, and Michael Finley. The decision was made just one day after what would have been Kobe's 44th birthday.

Bryant had no doubts, exhibiting the sort of bravura that might — at times — irritate his critics. Though scouts characterised him as “borderline sensational,” younger players had been expected to spend a minimal of a number of years honing their expertise on the college degree. “Kobe was a legend on the court docket and just getting began in what would have been just as meaningful a second act,” former President Obama mentioned in a statement.

Bryant scored a career high of 81-points against the Toronto Raptors in Staples Center, second-highest single scoring efficiency in NBA history, surpassed solely by Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point recreation 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. He even realized French, Serbian and Bosnian just to trash speak his opponents. For a complete technology, he was a lighthouse, a task mannequin, and a real stay superhero. His dedication, integrity, and athleticism made him a true chief in black historical past.

On January 22, 2006, Bryant scored a career-high eighty one points in a 122–104 victory against the Toronto Raptors. In addition to breaking the earlier franchise report of 71 set by Elgin Baylor, Bryant's 81-point sport was the second-highest point total in NBA historical past, surpassed only by Chamberlain's 100-point recreation in 1962. Whereas Chamberlain was fed repeatedly by teammates for inside pictures in a blowout win, Bryant created his own shot—mostly from the outside—in a sport which the Lakers trailed at halftime by 14 and did not draw back till the fourth quarter. In that same month, Bryant additionally turned the primary participant since 1964 to score forty five points or more in four consecutive video games, joining Chamberlain and Baylor as the only gamers to take action. For the month of January, Bryant averaged 43.4 factors per recreation, the eighth highest single month scoring average in NBA historical past and highest for any player aside from Chamberlain.

In addition, he averaged 6.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, all career-highs to that point. Bryant was as quickly as again voted to both the All-NBA and All-Defensive First Teams, and got here in third place in voting for the MVP award. After ending 50–32 within the common season, the Lakers floundered within the playoffs and misplaced within the Western Conference semi-finals in six video games to the eventual NBA champions San Antonio Spurs.