Image via Complex Original
Kobe Bryant is that guy that you love to hate. He has the endorsements, the hardware, the stats, and plays for one of the most storied franchises in all of sports. Kobe knows he's one of the all-time greats and he acts like it. People hate that type of shit. They hate his success, his fetish for Michael Jordan, and his pity tattoo. No player in recent memory has been more polarizing. When he caught that rape case in Colorado, folks rejoiced, "that's good for his ass!" While others said it was another case of the system trying to keep the black man down.
On the flip side, people love his unwavering confidence, his supreme skill, his work ethic, and the ice that runs through his veins. Bryant's been loved, hated, and then loved again (thanks to LeBron). Why is it either or with him? That's what we're here to figure out: Is Kobe Bryant a badass or a jackass?
Badass: Straight Outta High School
When: 1996
Kobe was the first guard to ever be drafted out of high school. He played pick up games against pros and college players at 15 and played well. When he declared for the 1996 NBA Draft he did had a big press conference in his high school gym with a suit on and sunglasses on his head. Then later that year, he took Brandy to the prom. Brandy, son, at the height of her career. The god averaged 30.8 points, 12 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 4 steals and 3.8 blocks a game during his senior year, leading Lower Merion to their first state title in 50 years. Bryant also finished his high school career as the greatest scorer in Southeastern Pennsylvania history, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain. Bryant became just the fifth player to skip college and head straight to the NBA.
Jackass: His Growing Pains as a Rookie
When: 1996-1997
Kobe came into the league cockier than he is now. Shaquille O'Neal felt like Bryant was too into himself and gave him the nickname "Showboat." He also hazed Bryant numerous times during that season. In Shaq Uncut: My Story, The Diesel portrayed Bryant as a loner and rarely went to dinner with the team. To be fair, a lot had to do with Kobe being underage and immature. He came into the league with a bunch of hype, but only played 15 MPG during his rookie season, averaging 7.6 points on 41 percent shooting. He also failed miserably in the playoffs that year. During Game 5 of the 2007 Western Semis, Bryant tried to lead his team back against the Jazz, but things didn't come as easy to him as they do now. He shot four airballs when he had a chance to shine and the Lakers lost the series in five games.
Badass: Winning the Slam Dunk Contest
When: 2/8/1997
As a rookie, Kobe was—and still is—fearless. He wanted to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest because he knew what it could do to his legacy. If Michael did it, Kobe had to do it. Although, Bryant did kind of steal Isaiah Rider's dunk, but who cares, right? Anyway, Kobe can always say he participated and won the Slam Dunk Contest unlike a certain King holding court in South Beach.
Jackass: His Rap Career
When: 2000
Blame Shaq. The Diesel was the first baller to have a successful rap career. So, marketing agencies and yes men everywhere figured it would work for anybody. Chris Webber had an unfortunate go at it as did Allen Iverson. But, Kobe's rap career is by far the worst. We hope he didn't have a ghostwriter because all his bars were weak. Whoever wrote his raps made off like a bandit. Kobe had an album entitled, K.O.B.E. that was shelved. It was produced by the Trackmasters and featured songs with a young 50 Cent and Tyra Banks. He also rapped on a Brian McKnight song to promote the album's release.
Jackass: The Chris Childs Two Piece
When: 4/2/2000
Kobe has been on the losing end of a couple fights in his day. First up is his little dust up with Chris Childs. Words were exchanged and Bryant hits him with a elbow to the chest. Childs head-butts him to create some space and immediately hits him with a two piece and a biscuit. Both were fined and suspended; Childs for two games, Kobe for one. Another fight Kobe brought on himself was his 2002 scuffle with Reggie Miller. With the Lakers up 12 with seconds left to play, Bryant fired up a three in Reggie's face. As they were walking to their respective benches, Miller must've said the magic words because Bryant tries to punch him in the face. The two then proceed to dance on top of the scorer's table until it was broken up. Both were fined and suspended one game.
Badass: Wins 2002 NBA All-Star Game MVP
When: 2/10/2002
Imagine returning to your hometown only to get booed. Well, that's exactly what happened to Kobe Bean Bryant at the 2002 All-Star Game in Philadelphia. The kid who graduated from Lower Merion and had gone on to win a couple rings in L.A. was now the villain in his own city. Some of that hate was because Bryant and the Lakers had just beat Allen Iverson and the 76ers to win the 2001 NBA Finals.
Ideally A.I. would've got some revenge for Philly fans by winning the All-Star game and taking MVP honors. Hell, even if 38-year old MJ would've won MVP it would've gone over as a somewhat feel good story. The Black Mamba had different plans and dropped 31 points along with five assists, and five boards in the West's 135-120 victory over the East. He probably had this on loop in his head throughout the game.
Jackass: The Beef with His Parents
When: Early 2000s
Kobe's parents disapproved of his marriage to Vanessa because they felt that the couple was too young. After only six months, the Kobester eloped with the young bride—whom he had met on the set of an Eastsidaz music video—and didn't sign a prenup. The beef was so real his parents didn't attend the wedding and Kobe cut off communication with them for a couple years. They later reconciled once the couple had children. Vanessa filed for divorce in 2011, but Kobe felt like it was cheaper to keep her. Smart man.
Jackass: His Sexual Assault Case
When: Summer 2003
The closest thing to OJ's murder trial this generation will probably ever see. Kobe's 2003 sexual assault case shocked the world and captivated sports fans and just about everyone else until it was dismissed and charges were dropped in September 2004. Up to that point, Kobe was a clean-cut guy who never got in trouble and used his immense talent and likability to garner tons of endorsements. This case changed the face of his career and persona, he had to work his way back up to his current standing by consistently winning and staying out of the news for anything even remotely related to this. Either way, this is his biggest fail to date because he was either a rapist or at the very least a cheater to the public and had to dish out $4 million on a diamond ring for his wife.
Badass: Drops 62 On Dallas in Three Quarters
When: 12/20/2005
This was probably one of Kobe's lesser known feats on the floor. On December 20, 2005 at the Staples Center, the Mamba put up 62 on Dallas without playing the fourth quarter. Now we know what you're probably thinking: "Why the hell didn't he play the fourth!?", because by the end of the third they were up 34 and he had outscored the entire Mavs team 62-61. Mind you, this was no scrub team. This wasn't the Raptors in '06, this was a Dallas team that won 60 games that season and eventually ended up in the Finals only to fall to D-Wade and Shaq in Miami. The term "unstoppable" doesn't seem to really do the trick for this moment and the fact that he only played three quarters kind of only adds to the legend because who knows what he could have ended up with. Also, props for the mean chest bangs to let all the fans know what time it was.
Jackass: Chasing Shaq Out of Town
When: Summer 2004
Shaq and Kobe had a tumultuous marriage. For as much success as they had, both guys truly despised each other. The two got off to a rocky start and could never get along. It all came to a head when the Lakers lost to the Pistons in the 2004 Finals; their fourth trip in five seasons. Both the contracts of Phil Jackson and O'Neal were up and the Laker brass had to make a decision. They let Jackson walk and traded O'Neal to the Heat in order to keep Bryant happy. Two seasons later, Shaq won a title in Miami while the Lakers lost to the Suns in the first round. After another first-round playoff exit in 2007, many questioned Bryant's legacy. That was until Phil returned and they traded for Pau Gasol. Jerry West, you sly dog you.
Badass: 81 Point Game vs. Toronto
When: 1/22/2006
The five best rappers of all time? Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, and Dylan. The top five single-game scorers of all time? Wilt, Wilt, Wilt, Wilt, and another guy named Dave Thompson. Well, that is until one fateful night in January 2006. That night Kobe Bryant blacked out and dropped 81 points in a game against the Toronto Raptors. Yes, it was against the Raptors. That being said, he still dominated the entire team of basketball mortals and one dinosaur disguised as an NBA player. Haters will then use another excuse and say, "Well he dropped 81, but how many shots did he take? He probably shot something like 30 percent from the field." Try 60 percent, fam. The Black Mamba went 28 for 46 from the field and shot a ridiculous 53 percent from behind the arch. *cues the soundtrack*
Jackass: Refused to Shoot in Playoffs to Prove His Point
When: 5/6/2006
After being criticized for his shot selection and lack of teamwork, Bryant has sent messages to his teammates—often to their detriment. The most notable example happened during Game 7 of the 2006 first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers had a 3-1 lead and Kobe was fresh off a 50-point performance in a Game 6 loss. He scored 23 points in the first half on 8-13 shooting with the Lakers losing by 15. In Game 7 Bryant seemingly refused to take charge offensively. He took only three shots in the second half and the Lakers lost by 31.
Badass: MVP Season
When: 2008
OK, so after the 81-point game we all knew Kobe was a bad man and could be the alpha male on a squad without Shaq. What evaded him, however, was team success with him as said alpha male. In '06-'07, he was scoring at an incredible rate, but got the first-round L from Phoenix and it had him calling out people in the offseason. The next season, though, the Lakers made a trade that at the time was seen as highway robbery which sent Kwame Brown, Javaris "Guns Up" Crittenton, Aaron McKie, and the rights for Marc Gasol for Pau Gasol.
Batman got his Robin and the Lakers went from barely making the playoffs to 57 wins and a Finals appearance. Kobe didn't put up the numbers he did the year before, but he was still amazing and the team brought the Lakers back to prominence. The next year he'd get that elusive first ring without Shaq, but this year set up his second title run.
Badass: His 2008 Gold Medal Game Performance
When: 8/24/2008
Remember that awkward moment in history when we weren't the reigning Olympic gold medal holders in Mens Basketball and the "Redeem Team" composed of all of our best players was formed in an effort to get the gold back in the '08 Beijing Games? We do, and in the Gold Medal Game they went up against a respectable Spain team with the likes of the Gasol brothers, Ricky Rubio, Rudy Fernandez, and Juan Carlos Navarro. The U.S. was winning most of the game, but late in the fourth Spain was surging and cut the lead to four.
Enter Kobe Bean Bryant. He was mainly a defensive stopper for the duration of the games as he routinely took on the other teams best perimeter player and shut them down. At this moment, however, he wasn't leaving this up to anybody else regardless of their talent. Calling for the rock early, he got himself a four-point play to put them up eight, followed up by a Wade trey ball and a Mamba runner. Game, USA.
Jackass: His Thirst for MJ's Legacy
When: Entire career
It has been rumored that Kobe practices Michael Jordan's autograph every night before bed. He bit every part of MJ's style. From the tongue to the fade away. Bryant even celebrates a game-winning shot like Mike with the celebratory fist pump suspended in air. Bryant also goes out of his way to own Michael Jordan's favorite place to play, Madison Square Garden. There's also a video that documents this stalking ways. Somewhere MJ's laughing in Ed Hardy jeans.
Badass: Wins a Ring—Sans Shaq
When: June 2009
"Can he do it without Shaq?" That was the question many critics had after Shaquille O'Neal left for South Beach. For a few years the definitive answer was "no." The Lakers finished 11th in the West and missed the playoffs in their first season without Shaq then got bounced out in the first round of the playoffs in the next two seasons. In 2008, the Laker front office worked some magic to acquire Pau Gasol in a trade from the Grizzlies and the Lakers reached the Finals but lost to the Celtics in six games.
The next year the Lakers reached the Finals again but this time they were victorious over the Orlando Magic thanks in large part to Kobe Bryant's 32 PPG average. The Black Mamba won MVP honors for the series and finally proved that he could win without The Diesel.
Jackass: Going 6 for 24 in Game 7 of the 2010 Finals
When: 6/17/2010
Yes, they won. Yes, it was their second straight title. But in the grand scheme of things, Kobe kind of—dare we say—choked. He went 6-24 from the field and had four turnovers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals versus a Kendrick Perkins-less Boston squad. His supporting cast, on the other hand, played the game of their lives, especially Metta World Peace and Pau Gasol. The player formerly known as Ron Artest hit a big three with a minute to play to push the lead to six. He finished with 20 points and 5 steals. Gasol—Kobe's favorite teammate—added 19 points, 18 boards, 4 assists, and two blocks. To be fair, Bryant defended well like he always does and grabbed 15 rebounds, but this performance showed why he can't wear Michael Jordan's jock strap.
Badass: Joins the 30,000 Point Club
When: 12/5/2012
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, and Kobe Bryant. That's it. Those are the people to reach the 30,000 point mark in the NBA and Kobe did it faster than anyone else. You can say Kobe's gunned too much, or that he's still not as good as any of those guys, or even that he's had great players around him for most of his career. All of that is nice and all, but this is indisputable. The Mamba's one of the greatest scorers to ever lace 'em up, point blank period. His resume in this regard speaks for itself and haters even have to respect it. P.S. He's not slowing down either, Kobe's averaging 30 PPG this season which is his most since '06 and currently tops the league for 2013.
Jackass: Sh*tting on Former Teammates
When: 2011-present
Kobe says what he wants and he proved that earlier this season when he took time out of his day to mention the likes of Smush Parker, Kwame Brown, and Chris Mihm. He called Smush "the worst" and told reporters, "I almost won an MVP with Smush Parker and Kwame Brown on my team. I was shooting 45 times a game. What was I supposed to do? Pass it to Chris Mihm or Kwame Brown?" He wasn't done there, Kobe then said he couldn't grasp the fact that the 76ers gave Brown his recent deal of two years/$7 million saying, "I don't know how he convinced Philadelphia to cough up $7 million a year. They want to lock us out, but they'll pay him $7 million." Oh, Kobe, we love you.
Badass: His Clutch Performances
When: Entire career
When you're talking about the most clutch players in league history, Kobe has to be toward the top of the list for a couple reasons. One, he's taken and made a ton of clutch shots, and two, he wants to be the guy to take the shot every time. That quality is part of what plagued LeBron James for the past couple years before his title run. Kobe is exactly what everybody wants their star to be down the stretch: the alpha male who wants to be the reason his team wins. Yeah, he airballed a couple when he was a young pup, but he learned from it and has been the guy every coach wants in the last five minutes for most of his career. #respect
Final Verdict: Badass
Is he cocky? Yes. But do the numbers and accolades he's racked up over 16 seasons back up his egotistical demeanor? Weezy said it best. Ten All-NBA first teams, five championships, two NBA Finals MVPs, two scoring titles, and the reputation as being the best to grace the court since His Airness. Those who hate Bryant will gladly have him on their team. At 34 years old, he's leading the league in scoring with 30 PPG and is shooting a career-high 47 percent from the field. There were plenty of talented players who came up in his generation, but of that bunch only Kobe remains among the elite in 2013. He's not riding the bench or playing ball in China with dudes who've only seen NBA talent on TV.
Instead, he's spending 39 minutes per game on the hardwood against future Hall of Famers who were still in middle school and high school when he won his first ring. The longevity and success of his career are due to his work ethic and knowledge of the game. Love him or hate him, Kobe "Bean" Bryant is the epitome of a badass athlete.