- published: 14 Jun 2016
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Kobe Bean Bryant (born August 23, 1978) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He entered the NBA directly from high school, and he has played for the Lakers his entire career, winning five NBA championships. Bryant is an 18-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, and 12-time member of the All-Defensive team. He has led the league in scoring twice, and he ranks third on both the league's all-time regular season scoring and all-time postseason scoring lists. After beginning his 20th season with the Lakers in 2015–16, which set an NBA record for the most seasons with the same team, Bryant announced that he would retire after the season.
The son of former NBA player Joe Bryant, Kobe Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania, where he was recognized as the top high school basketball player in the country. He declared for the NBA draft upon graduation, and was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets, who traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers. As a rookie, Bryant earned himself a reputation as a high-flyer and a fan favorite by winning the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest, and he was named an All-Star by his second season. Despite a feud between them, Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal led the Lakers to three consecutive championships from 2000 to 2002.
These roads stretch a thousand miles in every way
I look for the day
As we ride over the hill
Well I am blind
The Golden State has been my home
But I place my stake
To roam and to rake
But good souls we mend
Would teach me in what course to take
Good friends remain
Even through the pain
Of a long road ahead
At 48 we seem so well
For three short years we worked like hell
I've been here before lyin' on your floor
It was good to me
Good friends remain
Even through the pain
Of a long road ahead
The roads stretch a thousand miles in every way
I look for the day
As we ride over the hill
Well I am blind
Good friends remain
Even through the pain
Of a long road ahead
Good friends remain
Even through the strain