Kobe Bryant’s Second Ring

Draft

Kobe Bryant was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13 overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. Kobe entered the draft straight out of high school. His youth is probably why he went so low in the draft. He was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers right after being drafted by Charlotte.

Shaq

After four seasons playing for the Magic, Shaquille O’Neal decided to leave Orlando and join the Los Angeles Lakers. With the Lakers, Shaquille would reach new heights as a player and personality. O’Neal’s best years in the league were while wearing the Purple and Gold. Shaq would win three championships in LA, along with three Final’s MVPs. For his entire career in LA, Shaq and Kobe were teammates.

Phil

The Los Angeles Lakers named Phil Jackson their head coach in 1999. Phil Jackson was coming off his tenure coaching the Chicago Bulls, which resulted in 6 Rings. Jackson was able to nurture Bryant’s game and help take it to another level—the same way he did with Michael Jordan when he coached the Chicago Bulls. Kobe and Shaq were able to co-exist long enough to earn three rings together and accomplish the rare three-peat.

2001

The Los Angles Lakers faced the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2001 NBA Finals. Kobe was facing off against his hometown team, but the Philly crowd was completely on the side of the Allen Iverson led Sixers. Iverson had a spectacular season in 2001, which included him taking home the MVP Trophy. The 76ers would win Game 1, which was a major upset. But the Lakers would dominate the rest of the series. Kobe Bryant averaged 24.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 5 games in the 2001 NBA Finals. Kobe Bryant would continue to build on his legacy with his second ring, and back-to-back championships.

- Adam C. Better