Kobe Bryant, the Greatest Player in the NBA

Kobe Bryant, drafted straight out of Lower Merion High School, was only the sixth player to get drafted right from high school.  Bryant was only eighteen during his rookie season, making him at the time the youngest player ever.  During his rookie season, his playing time was pretty limited, but as the season progressed he got more and more playing time and he ended the season averaging 15.5 minutes a game.   Kobe Bryant also won the Slam Dunk competition his rookie season and became the youngest player to do so at the age of eighteen. 

During the ‘98-‘99 year was when Bryant really started to emerge as an elite player in the NBA.  The next three years, however, definitely made a statement that Bryant and the Lakers are the best in the NBA by winning the next three NBA championships. 

On Jan. 22, 2006, Kobe set his career high for points in a game by dropping eighty-one on the Toronto Raptors and leading the Lakers to victory.  After losing to the Boston Celtics in the 07’ finals, Kobe and the Lakers came out and won the Championship back to back and in doing so, gave Kobe his fifth ring. 

Kobe was recently ranked the 7th of the top ten NBA players and along with his five championships. Kobe Bryant is without a doubt one of the best players who has ever lived. 

 By: Colin Brandon