Kobe Bryant Turns 37 Years Young

Kobe Bryant arrived in the NBA in 1996 as a 17-year-old phenom not even old enough to sign his own contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

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He entered the league a fresh-faced youngster, eager to prove himself and hungry for greatness.

He attacked the veterans with the ferocity only available to new, young gladiators in the NBA.

Is this the light at the end of the tunnel for Bryant?

There wasn’t even an entrance to the tunnel back then. Now the light is blinding. It’s illuminated by the reality of the last great spurts Bryant’s aged body has left.

At 37 years old, the NBA has had the pleasure of watching Bryant for almost 20 years. The “Black Mamba” has provided pure greatness to the world for more than half of his life.

In that time, NBA fans have seen one of the absolute greatest careers of all time unfold.

They’ve seen air-balls in Salt Lake City, Utah. They saw him dominate with Shaquille O’Neal to the tune of three championships in a row and four NBA Finals appearances.

They witnessed 81 points.

There was the time he went four straight games with 50 or more points. There have been countless highlight dunks that include posterizing some of the best shot blockers in the game.

Bryant has produced a plethora of heart-stopping game-winners (see below). Who could forget the leaning three-point buzzer-beating fadeaway he hit over Dwyane Wade in 2009?

He’s broken countless records. Bryant’s scored the third most points of all time, more than Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon and even Wilt Chamberlain.

He’s given the city of Los Angeles five titles and seven NBA Finals appearances.

Near the end of his journey, Bryant finds himself in an odd position. This season, which will probably be his last, he comes into training camp facing that same ferocity he unleashed as a youngster.

Bryant will have to confront the reality of passing time every day in practice against the imposing Julius Randle, the athleticism of Jordan Clarkson, and the dazzle of D’Angelo Russell.

There may not be another birthday from Bryant in the purple and gold armor, but Laker fans have been spoiled by one of the great careers in all of sports.

His final act might just be taking this incredibly young core and ragtag group of veterans to the 2016 NBA playoffs. After 20 years of watching “Vino” do the impossible, Bryant wouldn’t have it any other way.

Happy Birthday “Mamba.”

Now get out there and show the world how dangerous a “Black Mamba” is no matter their age.

Next: Is There Hope for Nick Young with the Lakers?

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