The Lakers finished the season with a record; this was the worst season record in the history of the group. Bryant grew to become the oldest participant to score 60 or extra factors in a sport at 37 years and 234 days old. At the time of his announcement, he was second on the staff in minutes (30.8) behind Jordan Clarkson and main the group with 16.7 area goal makes an attempt per sport, whereas averaging just 15.7 points and shooting a career-low 31.5 percent. In his press convention after the announcement, he acknowledged his declining abilities. "Even although I play like shit, I’ve labored actually, actually exhausting not to play like crap and I do every thing I probably can. And I feel good about that", he said.

Once I knew my seed, I was in a position to uncover my muse and my purpose for being was crystal clear. I don’t cover the aggressiveness of competitors behind All-Star parties, sponsored occasions, and the concept the weekend recreation is a nicely deserved break. The fans voted me in to look at me take on the world’s best. Whether my counterpart is prepared or not, resting or not, or just looks like going through the motions, it has nothing to do with me.

To study what would work and for who, I began doing homework and watched how they behaved. I learned their histories and listened to what their objectives had been. I learned what made them really feel secure and where their best doubts lay. Once I understood them, I could help convey the most effective out of them by touching the right nerve at the proper time.

The Lakers won the next game as well, but dropped Games 3 and 4, even with Bryant putting up 33.5 points per sport. The Lakers then received the following two video games to win the semifinals in 6. This arrange a Western Conference Finals berth in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs. The Lakers defeated the Spurs in 5 games, sending themselves to the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics.

"He actually says a word in my language. I was like, 'I did not actually hear right. He can't communicate my language, right?' Then we go back and forward, and he goes once more to free throws. And he repeat that! It was curse word!" Nurkic remembered. "He will try to learn somewhat bit about every participant he plays." Raised in Italy, Kobe Bryant was fluent in Italian, and also Spanish, and he'd make the most of the languages during press conferences and in conversing with other gamers, similar to Spain-born teammate Pau Gasol. Bryant also exercised his language expertise to trash-talk opponents. He advised France's NBA Extra that he labored on his French specifically to get in the head of Belgium-born Spurs star Tony Parker.

In the 2001–02 season, Bryant played 80 video games for the first time in his profession. On January 14, 2002, Bryant recorded a then career-high 56 factors to associate with 5 rebounds and four assists in a 120–81 win over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies. He continued his all-round play by averaging 25.2 factors, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per sport. Bryant also had a career-high forty six.9% shooting and as quickly as again led his group in assists. While making the All-NBA Defensive Team again, Bryant was additionally named to the All-NBA First Team for the first time in his profession. The Lakers received 58 games that yr and completed second in the Pacific Division behind in-state rival Sacramento Kings.

On January 26, 2020, Bryant was onboard a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter that crashed within the Los Angeles suburb of Calabasas. Nine individuals, including Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna "Gigi," died. The helicopter was on its way from Orange County to Thousands Oaks, California the place Bryant was scheduled to teach a tournament sport at Mamba Sports Academy. An all-star lineup of Laker icons additionally paid tribute to Bryant, including O’Neal, Phil Jackson, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom and Magic Johnson. "We are here to have fun greatness for 20 years," Johnson mentioned.

The Bryants' first daughter, Natalia, was born in January 2003. The birth resulted in a reconciliation between Bryant and his parents. Due to an ectopic being pregnant, Vanessa suffered a miscarriage in the spring of 2005. Their second daughter, Gianna Maria-Onore (also known as "Gigi"), was born in May 2006. On December sixteen, 2011, Vanessa Bryant filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences, and the couple requested joint custody of their daughters.