He went straight into the NBA out of high school and spent the following two decades helping the Los Angeles Lakers maintain their standing as one of the most dependable and exciting teams in the sport, a rep the Lakers had cultivated since the 60s. Somehow Kobe Bryant managed to elevate it. Five championships, 18 All Stars, 15 All-NBA Teams, 12 All-Defensive Teams, two NBA Finals MVPs. Among all-time post-season scoring and all-time regular season scoring, the man ranks fourth.
