Percy Leed - Kobe Bryant: NBA Champion

Lerner Publications Minneapolis

Percy Leed

Copyright 2021 by Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.

All rights reserved. International copyright secured. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc., except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Leed, Percy, 1968 author.

Title: Kobe Bryant : NBA champion / Percy Leed.

Description: Minneapolis, MN : Lerner Publications, 2021. | Series: Epic sports bios | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Audience: Ages | Audience: Grades | Summary: Kobe Bryant dominated the world of basketball as an 18-time NBA All-Star, a five-time NBA champion, and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. This biography details his life and his thrilling legacy Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020006272 (print) | LCCN 2020006273 (ebook) | ISBN 9781728419367 (library binding) | ISBN 9781728419374 (paperback) | ISBN 9781728419381 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Bryant, Kobe, 19782020Juvenile literature. | Basketball playersUnited States BiographyJuvenile literature.

Classification: LCC GV884.B794 L44 2021 (print) | LCC GV884.B794 (ebook) | DDC 796.323092 [B] dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020006272

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020006273

Manufactured in the United States of America

1-49060-49263-4/9/2020

Contents

Something Special

Kobe Bryant drives down the court against the Raptors in 2006.

O n January 22, 2006, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers were in big trouble against the Toronto Raptors. When the Lakers stepped onto the court for the second half, Toronto held a 14-point lead. The Raptors quickly grew the lead to points. Thats when Bryant began one of the greatest scoring streaks in National Basketball Association (NBA) history.

Facts at a Glance

Date of birth: August 23, 1978

Position: forward and guard

League: NBA

Professional highlights: scored points in an NBA game, the second most in league history; won the NBA championship five times; won the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award twice

Personal highlights: spent seven years in Italy and one year in France as a kid; had four daughters with his wife, Vanessa; won an Oscar for Dear Basketball

Bryant hit long three-point shots and midrange jump shots. He spun, twisted, and darted to the basket for layups and slam dunks. No one could stop him. The Lakers outscored the Raptors by points in the third quarter.

Bryant shoots a midrange jump shot.

In the fourth quarter, Bryant kept shooting, and he rarely missed. Fans went wild as he made basket after basket. The Lakers won the game 122104.

Bryant racked up points. It was the second most points ever scored in an NBA game. Los Angeles struggled against Toronto before Bryant took over the game. Then, he said, it turned into something special.