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Kobe Bryant: 50 Greatest Moments of Black Mamba’s Career

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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6. Finally MVP

One of the most unfathomable facts in the world of professional sports is that Kobe Bryant only won one NBA MVP award. He’s twice been honored as Finals MVP, but the regular season distinction was long elusive to the Los Angeles Lakers star.

In 2007-08, Bryant finally ended the drought.

Bryant’s 2007-08 campaign was one of extraordinary balance. He averaged 28.3 points on a slash line of .459/.361/.840, tacked on 6.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.8 3-point field goals made per game, and played genuinely elite perimeter defense.

In turn, Bryant was named MVP and made appearances on the All-NBA and All-Defensive First Teams.

Bryant further legitimized the MVP campaign by leading Los Angeles to its first NBA Finals appearance of the post-Shaquille O’Neal era. It was an extraordinary achievement by a player whose individual recognition was a long time coming.

2007-08 was the first and only season in which Bryant won league MVP honors, but it was all he needed to legitimize his resume as one of the greatest players of all-time.

Next: Passing MJ

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