With Kobe Bryant out for the season with another major injury and the Los Angeles Lakers struggling mightily in his absence, it’s not hard to look back at the legacy he has established. He is a 17-time NBA All-Star, two-time NBA Finals MVP, one-time league MVP, to go along with five championships.
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No one currently playing in the NBA has more finals appearances than Bryant. Fellow veteran Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs trails him by one with six trips to the league’s biggest stage. After so much success and experience playing at the highest level, the 19-year veteran Bryant shared his ideal NBA Finals moment, via Lakers Nation Reporter Serena Winters:
Kobe on his ideal NBA Finals moment: hitting a game winning shot in Game 7 of the NBA finals on the road – "nothing like being a villain."
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) February 3, 2015
With Kobe’s reputation as a competitor, it’s not surprising that his dream scenario would be sinking the game winning shot in Game 7 on the road in front of the opposing fans. Bryant has been the hero on many occasions, but clearly embraces the satisfaction he gets from being the villain. Three of his five titles were won on the adversaries’ home court. Though the veteran guard hasn’t always been the darling of the NBA, his drive and unrelenting will to win have become his trademark characteristics.
The expected timetable for Bryant’s recovery is set at nine months. With a summer overhaul a strong possibility for the Lakers, Bryant may be afforded more time to fully recover for his 20th NBA season.
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