Twenty-two years ago, the Kobe Bryant road to greatness begun

Los Angeles Lakers Icon became one of the greatest players of the NBA not only in the 2000s but of all time. His career had ups and downs like any player, but with his strong mentality, he could always bounce back.

This week but twenty-two years ago, the "Black Mamba" went to win his first NBA championship and get the first ring of his career. It became the beginning of his career greatness.

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Kobe Bryant went to win five championships with the Lakers, just one title less than the GOAT Michael Jordan. And at the moment, one more than LeBron James and Stephen Curry.

The Black Mamba also got two finals MVPs, one NBA MVP, 18 NBA all-stars, four all-star MVPs, 11 All-NBA first teams, and a lot more. Marking one of the best careers in the league's history and many times is the third-ranked best player of all time, only behind MJ and LeBron James.

Kobe was the mastermind behind the 2008 redeem team

After not winning in 2004, the Basketball U.S. team needed to come back into the victory road, but not everything was going right. Hence, Coach K called Kobe to the team, and Bryant and his famous mentality inspired and made it possible for the redeem team to win the gold medal.