Was Kobe Bryant Really The Greatest?

Late basketball player Kobe Bryant was so famous that kids shouted "Kobe!" when they tossed wadded-up paper in the trash. However, do the facts support his incredible legacy?

Feuding with Shaq

When they played together on the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant and Shaq broke records and led the Lakers to countless victories. Unfortunately, despite their partnership, their conflicts tarnished Bryant's reputation. After a successful season, Bryant criticized Shaq for getting out of shape.

Disagreements on the court led to more tension between the players. The feud came to a head when Bryant revealed details about Shaq's personal life during an interview even though he was dealing with his own cheating scandal at the time.

Late-Career Injuries

In 2013, as Bryant grew older, his body started to lose its tolerance for strenuous games and workouts. When Bryant broke his Achilles heel during a game, his career started to plummet. Later, he injured his knee and rotator cuff, which marked the end of his legendary run.

After announcing his retirement, Bryant played the last of the season. Most of his performance was infamously bad, but he scored 60 points in his last game and gave himself an incredible send-off.

Final Conclusion

Despite these missteps, Kobe Bryant left behind an unbeatable legacy. He earned so many accolades that they have their own Wikipedia page. Bryant's achievements include two Olympic gold medals, 81 points scored in a single game, four All-Star MVP Awards, two Finals MVP awards, several championship wins, and 134 forty-point games, making him one of the most celebrated athletes in the world. No one will ever compare to the Black Mamba.