originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Over a 20u2011year tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, NBA legend Kobe Bryant won five NBA championships, earned 18 Allu2011Star selections, and ranks fourth in the league's history with 33,643 career points — a testament to his relentless work ethic, killer instinct and unwavering competitiveness.
Known for his fierce desire to win, Bryant left his mark on the league, as reflected in his impressive career averages of 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.
Drafted out of high school in the first round of the 1996 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets (traded on draft night to the Los Angeles Lakers), Bryant was known as much for his onu2011court demeanor and cutthroat approach to the game as for his playmaking abilities.