Lakers guard Kobe Bryant smiles during the fourth quarter of a 111-103 win over the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 30, 2014. The Nuggets would come back from being down three games to one and forced a game seven before losing a lead late and ultimately the series as well. Utah’s Donovan Mitchell says, only winning is on his mind. Like he so often did in his career, Kobe instead made The Can his home, scoring the Lakers first nine points and eighteen of their first twenty-two. Lakers guard Kobe Bryant holds up his jersey during his introductory news conference on July 12, 1996.
RELATED: ‘Like Getting Punched In The Gut’: Nuggets Fans In Disbelief Of Kobe Bryant’s Death. Kobe Bryant drives on Memphis Grizzlies guard Quincy Pondexter during a game on Nov. 26, 2014. He would end up scoring fifty-one points in just thirty-one minutes. Nuggets' Will Barton remembers favorite player, Kobe Bryant: "It's hard to process" Nuggets veteran Will Barton confirmed the news of Kobe … Lakers star Kobe Bryant walks off the court after the team’s season-ending loss to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals on May 8, 2011. Lakers stars Kobe Bryant, left, and Shaquille O’Neal show off their 2002 NBA championship rings before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center on Oct. 29, 2002. Lakers star Kobe Bryant, center, is double-teamed by Cleveland Cavaliers teammates Eric Snow, left, and Flip Murray during a game on March 19, 2006.
Lakers star Kobe Bryant, left, whispers something to Coach Phil Jackson in between being photographed during Lakers’ Media Day on Oct. 2, 2006. It is still hard for him to process Bryant's death in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26, especially as the Nuggets prepare to play their first game in Los Angeles since then. Lakers star Kobe Bryant walks off the court after losing to the Phoenix Suns in Game 1 of the 2007 NBA Western Conference quarterfinals. Every person flipping through their phone or shaking their head. Nuggets backup center Mason Plumlee will change his jersey from No. Lakers star Kobe Bryant looks on during a game against the New Orleans Hornets at Staples Center on Jan. 29, 2013.
Be you.
“And I feel like that’s the one way that I know I can make sure that he lives, that when I step on that court, you don’t leave anything to chance.”Here are some of the other heartfelt tributes posted to Bryant on his birthday and namesake day.“I focus on one thing and one thing only - that's trying to win as many championships as I can.” "The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do." Nuggets’ Jamal Murray was also holding his 50-point game to help his team.
Kobe Bryant gestures while celebrating his fifth championship with the Lakers during a team parade in Los Angeles on June 21, 2010. Not out of some beef or hatred — that’s what some people could never understand.
Their best chance came in 2012 as Bryant was enjoying the last few all pro level years of his career. Lakers star Kobe Bryant tries to hide his emotions after the team’s season-ending loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 6 of the 2003 NBA Western Conference semifinals. Lakers stars Kobe Bryant, left, and Shaquille O’Neal congratulate one another during the Lakers’ win over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the 2002 Western Conference quarterfinals at Staples Center.
We will love you forever On the day the Dodgers honor Kobe Bryant, Cody Bellinger hits his 8th home run of the season for his 24th hit this season. During warmups, Will Barton and Jamal Murray spoke, apparently sharing the tragic news.Surreal day. Lakers star Kobe Bryant reacts after hitting the winning shot against the Phoenix Suns in Game 4 of the 2006 Western Conference quarterfinals at Staples Center. Kobe Bryant tries to steal the ball from Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried during a game at Staples Center on Nov. 3. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday and news of his tragic death occurred right before the Denver Nuggets were set to play the Houston Rockets at their home arena. Lakers star Kobe Bryant reacts after being fouled by the Houston Rockets’ Ryan Bowen (not pictured) in the first quarter of a game at Staples Center on Dec. 18, 2005. Lakers star Kobe Bryant dunks during a game against the Utah Jazz on Jan. 25, 2013, at Staples Center. Kobe Bryant, right, speaks with Michael Jordan, then with the Washington Wizards, during the 2003 NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta. Lakers star Kobe Bryant, left, and Boston Celtics guard Tony Allen battle for a loose ball during Game 6 of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 15, 2010. We mourn the loss of Kobe Bryant and the lives of others that were tragically lost today.