Kobe Bryant 1999 - 2000 Career

Kobe, meanwhile, enjoyed his best season as a pro. After missing the first 15 games with a broken bone in his right hand, he blended in perfectly with his teammates and blossomed into a complete player. His shot selection was better, his rebounding and scoring increased, and he began hitting more regularly from the outside. Most notable, however, was his sterling defense. In a February victory over the 76ers, Kobe shut down Allen Iverson, holding him to 0-of-9 shooting in the fourth quarter. It was this kind of effort that earned him a spot on the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team.

Though Indiana battled hard, Los Angeles won the series in six games, earning its first title since 1988. Kobe went down in a heap early in Game 2 after rolling an ankle. He sat out the next contest, which the Lakers lost.

Kobe returned in Game 4, limping through the entire first half. With the Lakers trailing in the third quarter, he got a burst of adrenaline and exploded for 10 points. He then finished off the Pacers after Shaq fouled out late in the fourth quarter. Jackson told his troops to abandon the triangle and get the ball to Kobe. He responded with a virtuoso performance to give the Lakers an insurmountable 3-1 series lead.

Tired and battered after the longest season of his young life, Kobe took it easy during the summer of 2000. After declining a last-minute offer to join Team USA at the Olympics in Sydney, he regained his health and felt refreshed by the start of the following campaign

Kobe was key to the club’s resurgence. Playing 40 minutes a night, he averaged 28.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 68 games. Among the single-game career-highs he established during the season were points (52), steals (six), and blocked shots (five). Kobe also posted the first two triple-doubles of his career.