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Bryant is born in Philadelphia. His father, Joe "Jelly Bean" Bryant, played for the 76ers.
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Lakers trade Vlade Divac to Charlotte Hornets for the draft rights to 17-year-old Bryant, the 13th pick in the NBA draft.
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Scores 51 points against Warriors, Bryant's first 50-plus game. Averages 28.5 points a game for the season, second on the team to O'Neal (28.7). Lakers repeat as NBA champs, beating 76ers in five games.
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All-Star game MVP. Lakers three-peat as champions, sweeping Nets in Finals.
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The last Kobe-Shaq squad loses in the Finals to Detroit. That summer O'Neal is traded and Bryant, a free agent, almost signs with the Clippers but returns to the Lakers after agreeing to a seven-year, $136-million deal.
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2008-09: Bryant wins fourth NBA title and is named Finals MVP as Lakers beat Orlando in five games.
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THE BEST PLAYER OF THE LEAGUE
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