Kobe Bryant’s Drive for Five Will Solidify Place in History

The late ‘90s was an interesting time for the NBA. Michael Jordan was on his way out and, as usual, the media wanted a new face of the NBA world.

Along came a 17-year-old out of Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia, PA who was quickly labeled the next “Air Apparent.” Kobe Bryant was bombarded with Michael Jordan comparisons the moment he stepped onto the basketball court as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.

His first two seasons, however, failed to meet those high expectations. As a rookie in the 1996-97 season, Kobe averaged 7.6 points and 15.5 minutes per game and found himself in the starting lineup only six times.

His sophomore season, as the sixth man, his numbers in...

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