One of the most beloved athletes ever and an all-time great, Kobe Bryant is deemed a first-row contender for the GOAT status of the NBA. Throughout his stellar career, the NBA world saw the legend drive against all odds and deliver his team the ultimate glory an incredible five times. Kobe Bryant’s legacy, when it comes to his impact on and off the court, is one that will be lauded for centuries to come.
The 18-time All-Star played for the Los Angeles Lakers throughout the entirety of his professional career, winning Five NBA titles during the period – coming inches within Michael Jordan’s incredible six.
A naturally gifted athlete whose relentless hard work had earned him a seat among the all-time greats, Kobe Bryant’s persona on and off the court is what set him apart as a beloved figure all across the world. With an 18-time All-Star, 14-time All-NBA, 12-time All-defense, and 5 NBA rings down his accolade list, Mamba’s legacy is almost eternal.
| Player name | Kobe Bean Bryant |
| Born | 28th August 1978 |
| Rings count | 5 |
| Ring years | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010 |
| Teams he won rings with | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Drafted year | 1996 |
| Drafted by | Charlotte Hornets |
How many rings does Kobe Bryant have?
Out of his seven NBA Final appearances, Kobe Bryant has won a total of five NBA Championships during his 20 seasons in the NBA. The legend came really close to equaling Michael Jordan’s count of six championship rings on the biggest stage of basketball.
Kobe Bryant (via Imago)His two stints at the pinnacle of the NBA consisted of one three-peat of titles along with Lakers strike partner Shaquille O’Neal from 2000 to 2002. Then he won back-to-back championships against all odds in 2009 and 2010. His incredible showings when dressed in purple and gold will forever remain emblazoned across the pages of history.
What year did Kobe Bryant win his rings?
Kobe Bryant won his five rings in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2010. He won all five of his NBA Championships with the Lakers where he spent the entirety of his professional career.
Kobe Bryant (via AP)With Shaq partnering up to form the most lethal duo in NBA History, Kobe Bryant went on to establish the Lakers dynasty. Later with help from another Lakers legend Pau Gasol, Bryant won his last two rings in 2009 and 2010.
2000: First of the three-peat
When Phil Jackson took over as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, little did the fans know they were on the brink of witnessing history.
Shaquille O’Neal was already the star in the squad, but a young Kobe Bryant, with his dazzling talents, came clutch during Game 4 of the Finals – scoring an incredible 22 points in the second half as the Lakers emerged victorious.
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal with their first Championship trophy (via LA Times)It was Frobe who scored the final shot to seal a 120-118 victory over the Indiana Pacers. The series ended 4-2 after Game 6 as the Lakers lifted the title.
2001: Defending the crown
The second of the titular three-Peat was by far the most spectacular of the three. The LA Lakers established their utter dominance across the Western Conference throughout the regular season.
Unbelievable as it sounds, the title holders lost only one game in the playoffs amassing an incredible 16-1 playoff win record in the season.
Shaq and Kobe were best friends off the court (via FromTheBend archives)Kobe Bryant’s fantastic 29.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.1 assists helped the Lakers beat the Philadelphia 76ers to claim back-to-back NBA titles.
2002: The Titular three-peat
Kobe Bryant had made a habit of winning, but his third ring did not come as easily as the first two. In the 2002/03 playoffs, their most formidable challenge came in the Western Conference Finals, where they locked horns against the Sacramento Kings.
The Kings took the men in purple and gold to seven games. However, the Lakers won the series, finishing the Kings off in a Game 7 overtime thriller that featured 16 ties and 19 lead changes.
(via Reuters)Led by Kobe and Shaq, the Lakers easily dismantled the New Jersey Nets 4-0 in the NBA Finals en route to their third consecutive championship.
Regardless of how the era ended, nothing can ever diminish the greatness O’Neal and Bryant demonstrated on the floor together. To this day, they are the on-court leaders of the last “Three-Peat” in major American professional sports.
2009: A Different Era, A Different Squad
Following the heartbreak at the hand of the Boston Celtics in the 2008 NBA Finals, Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to their first title in 7 years since the conclusion of their iconic three-peat in 2002.
Kobe Bryant (via AP)The NBA world saw the Western Conference champions take down Orlando Magic in five games in the NBA finals. The Lakers closed out the Orlando Magic on Orlando’s home court 99-86, led by Finals MVP Kobe Bryant’s 30 points. This came as a clear statement of his unyielding grit in face of adversity – as he averaged 32.4 points and 7.4 assists in the Finals, propelling his team to championship glory.
2010: The Fifth of Kobe’s Five Rings
The 2010 NBA finals will go down as one of the most entertaining finals in league history. It was nail-biting till the end. The Celtics were a powerhouse. They had the big three in Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. They were all facilitated by their genius and skillful point guard, Rajon Rondo, who was tough to stop.
Kobe Bryant after winning his fifth NBA Championship (via BFrames)It’s almost poetic that Kobe Bryant would lift his 5th NBA Championship while avenging the heartbreak of the 2008 Finals. It was the second time in his career that the legendary shooting guard featured in three NBA Finals in a row.
Beating the Boston Celtics 4-3 in the NBA Finals, Kobe Bryant lifted his 5th historic title. He went on to win his 2nd and last Finals MVP award as he averaged 28.6 points, eight rebounds, and 3.9 assists in the series.
How many rings has Kobe Bryant won without Shaq?
Kobe Bryant’s stellar partnership with Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal saw the duo clinch three titles in a row. He won two more rings without Shaq after the center left to join the Miami Heat in 2004.
While Shaq did win another title with the Heat in 2006, Kobe outnumbered his friend and rival by winning a total of five rings, one more than Shaq. Bryant’s back-to-back title glories in 2009 and 2010 without Shaquille O’Neal is a clear testament to the legendary guard’s individual brilliance.
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal (via open source)In January 2020, the basketball legend left us for the eternal in a tragic helicopter accident that claimed nine lives, including his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna Bryant. With us or not, Kobe Bryant’s unheralded legacy shall forever remain emblazoned across the pages of history. The legend dwells in the hearts of millions of basketball fans across the globe.
FAQs
Q. Which franchise drafted Kobe Bryant in the NBA?
The Charlotte Hornets drafted Kobe Bryant in the 1996 NBA Draft.
Q. How many NBA Finals has Kobe Bryant played?
Kobe Bryant has played 8 NBA Finals series in his professional career.
Q. How many NBA Championships has Kobe Bryant won?
Kobe Bryant has won 5 NBA Championships in his professional career.
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