Kobe Bean Bryant was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1978, to parents Joe Bryant and Pam Bryant. The Bryants lived in Rieti, Italy, and various other countries while his father, Joe, was a professional basketball player.
During this time, Kobe was learning to speak and communicate in different languages by interacting with the people of those nations.
Kobe likely did not realize that he was honing his language skills for the future. When he was drafted and traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, a city known for its diversity, these language skills would prove beneficial throughout his more than 20-year career.
People were amazed when Kobe spoke to them fluently in their language. This endeared him to fans, as they saw him not just as another basketball player or celebrity; he felt different to them.
Kobe played basketball at Lower Merion High School, where he honed his skills and won the state championship in 1996.
A confident young man from Philadelphia, Kobe believed his talent was destined for something greater than college basketball; he was determined to play in the NBA. He made the decision to forgo a collegiate career and officially entered the NBA draft in 1996 at the age of 17.
When the NBA draft occurred, Jerry West, the General Manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, recognized something unique in Kobe during a workout. Impressed by his potential, he decided to trade beloved player Vlade Divac to draft Kobe, a move that drew both support and skepticism. Many wondered if West had made a poor decision by selecting a player few had heard of, especially one coming directly out of high school.
The 1996 NBA draft featured numerous potential future stars, including:
1. Allen Iverson
2. Marcus Camby
3. Shareef Abdur-Rahim
4. Stephon Marbury
5. Ray Allen
6. Antoine Walker
7. Lorenzen Wright
8. Kerry Kittles
9. Samaki Walker
10. Erick Dampier
11. Todd Fuller
12. Vitaly Potapenko
13. Kobe Bryant (drafted by the Charlotte Hornets, then traded to the Lakers)
14. Peja Stojakovic
15. Steve Nash
16. Tony Delk
17. Jermaine O'Neal
18. John Wallace
19. Walter McCarty
20. Zydrunas Ilgauskas
21. Dontae Jones
22. Efthimos Rentzias
23. Derek Fisher
The Lakers were seeking to regain their championship glory, having last reached the NBA Finals in 1991, where they lost to the Chicago Bulls. In 1996, they aimed to add another significant player to their roster and secured Shaquille O’Neal, who left the Orlando Magic to join the Lakers.
The team consisted of a mix of players, with rookie Kobe and Shaquille leading the charge. Los Angeles finished the year in second place behind the Seattle Supersonics in the Pacific Division and fourth overall in the Western Conference.
In the 1996-97 season, Kobe played sporadically due to the presence of veteran players on the team. The organization wanted to evaluate his performance given the trade of Divac, and fans were eager to see what the rookie could do on the court. Kobe, having won a championship in high school, believed that his work ethic would help him succeed at the NBA level. However, adapting to this new culture came with its challenges, as veterans advised him to relax and enjoy the experience.
But enjoying the ride was not in Kobe's DNA. He aspired to be the best of all time, not just another NBA player. He constantly pushed his limits, believing that if he wasn’t striving to be the best, he was wasting his time.
For four years, the Los Angeles Lakers made the playoffs but fell short of winning the championship. While Kobe displayed an incredible work ethic, many of his teammates did not understand his commitment. They believed that their time spent in practice and games was sufficient. In contrast, Kobe thought that if being the best was not one's goal, they might as well pursue another profession.
Kobe was singing the Pied Piper’s song, but his teammates either couldn't hear it or didn’t want to understand. They experienced painful postseason exits, including losses to Utah in the semifinals, which further fueled Kobe's determination to succeed.
