Kobe: Through the Eyes of the Philadelphia 76ers

Kobe Bryant is a legend. He’s third on the all-time scoring list, he holds an innumerable amount of Los Angeles Laker’s records. And it can even be argued, when talking about watch-ability and all around entertainment value, that Kobe has created an aura that hasn’t been seen since Michael Jordan. He will go down as one of the best guards to ever play the game, along with being considered one of the most competitive athletes in sports

However, Bryant’s tenacity, drive and passion stems from his hometown and where he first picked up a basketball. That would be Philadelphia. Kobe Bryant bloomed at Lower Merion High School, where after a shaky 4-20 start his freshman year, his combined record for the next three years was 77-13, as well as routinely posting double-double’s in both his junior and senior years.

After graduating high school he was drafted in the 1996 NBA draft at the 13^th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets, and traded to the Lakers. That same year found the Philadelphia 76ers selecting first, and promptly selected the sophomore from the Georgetown Hoyas , Allen Iverson.

When Bryant moved out west, the eyes of Philadelphia witnessed him groom his game, embrace the spotlight and become a champion. However, Kobe seemed to rise to the occasion when competing against any Philadelphia 76er team.

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Undoubtedly, one of the most memorable moments is the 2001 NBA Finals series against the Sixers. The Lakers were last year’s defending champs, and in the first game of the series, the Sixers shocked the sports world, stealing the first game in LA. But in game two, Kobe wasn’t messing around. He scored 31 points, eight assists, six rebounds, and two steals. It was also the game that Kobe and Allen Iverson got into a less than amicable conversation; a competitive rivalry both players would carry with them for the rest of their careers. Watch Kobe go at it with Iverson.

In game three Kobe’s hot hand persisted, scoring 20 points in the first half, and scoring 16 of those 20 in the second quarter. Even after Shaquille O’Neal fouled out, with the Lakers up two, Kobe put the game away, scoring with 1:18 left, on a floater down the lane.

The rest of the series continued on as the Kobe and Shaq show. Kobe averaged 24 points eight assists and six rebounds as the Lakers repeated as NBA champions.

Kobe is an offensive juggernaut. He has some of the most efficient and effective ways of getting the shot that he wants. Whether it’s his vintage one-dribble and shoot, or backing down his defender, to shoot a seemingly perfect turnaround jumper, Kobe is a prolific scorer. In fact there has been 134 games where Kobe has scored 40 points or more. Twice, was against the Sixers. Once was in 2002, where Kobe scored 44 with 10 assists, but it was in an overtime loss in Philadelphia. The second was in 2006. Kobe went for 48 and 10 assists, in a blowout game in LA.

Which takes us to last night, which was the final time Kobe would step on the Sixers floor wearing purple and gold. The night started with the city of Philadelphia, the Sixers organization and Kobe’s high school coach honoring number 24, with a salute to his days at Lower Merion. When the pregame festivities were over, the game began with a bang, with Kobe scoring nine quick points from behind the line. He would end the first quarter with 12, and 20 when the game was over.

In a night of homecoming, and farewells, the Sixers got their first win of the season, snapping a horrendous 28 consecutive game skid. And even though Kobe didn’t have a colossal game, and the Lakers handed the worst team in the NBA their first win, it will be a night to remember—for better or for worse. In Philadelphia, Kobe Bryant went from high school hero in the late 90’s, to hated foe in the early 2000’s, to now a respected legend of the game. Thanks for the memories.