Kobe Bryant Photos

See photos of Kobe Bryant who is nomianted for the BET Awards Male Athlete of the Year.

Kobe Bryant to the Los Angeles Lakers - Kobe Bryant … a Charlotte Hornet? It’s true, as the Hornets drafted Bryant with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. On the same evening, the Hornets traded Bryant’s rights to the Los Angeles Lakers for center Vlade Divac. Considering how Bryant’s career has developed, it could go down as one of the most lopsided trades in NBA history.

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Changing Places - Kobe Bryant wasn’t drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, but was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft.

First Of Many? - Kobe Bryant won his first Most Valuable Player Award during the 2007-08 NBA season averaging 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.

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First Of Many? - Kobe Bryant won his first Most Valuable Player Award during the 2007-08 NBA season averaging 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.

Record Breaker - In 2009, Bryant set a record for the most points scored at Madison Square Garden, lighting up the New York Knicks for 61 points and breaking Bernard King’s record in the process.

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Record Breaker - In 2009, Bryant set a record for the most points scored at Madison Square Garden, lighting up the New York Knicks for 61 points and breaking Bernard King’s record in the process.

Redeem Team - Bryant, along with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, helped lead the “Redeem Team” to a gold medal in basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

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Redeem Team - Bryant, along with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, helped lead the “Redeem Team” to a gold medal in basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Runner-Up - Even though Bryant was a runner-up in the 2009 MVP voting, he was selected to the All-NBA First Team and All-Defensive First Team for the seventh time in his career.

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Runner-Up - Even though Bryant was a runner-up in the 2009 MVP voting, he was selected to the All-NBA First Team and All-Defensive First Team for the seventh time in his career.

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Movie Star - Bryant was the subject of a 2009 documentary by legendary filmmaker Spike Lee title “Kobe Doin’ Work.”

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Movie Star - Bryant was the subject of a 2009 documentary by legendary filmmaker Spike Lee title “Kobe Doin’ Work.”

Not So Fast - Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers at home during the 2008-09 season, one of only two teams to do so.

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Not So Fast - Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers at home during the 2008-09 season, one of only two teams to do so.

Moving On Up - In 2009, Bryant moved to 17th on the NBA career scoring list, surpassing the likes of Charles Barkley and Elgin Baylor.

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Moving On Up - In 2009, Bryant moved to 17th on the NBA career scoring list, surpassing the likes of Charles Barkley and Elgin Baylor.

Bling Bling - Along with former teammate Shaquille O’Neal, Bryant won three straight NBA championships from 2000-2002 with the Los Angeles Lakers.

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Bling Bling - Along with former teammate Shaquille O’Neal, Bryant won three straight NBA championships from 2000-2002 with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Old Times - Bryant was selected as the 2009 NBA All-Star Game co-MVP along with former teammate, Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O’Neal.

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Old Times - Bryant was selected as the 2009 NBA All-Star Game co-MVP along with former teammate, Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O’Neal.