Ranking every Kobe Bryant season with the Lakers: 4. 2002-03
Fresh off a 3-peat the Lakers seemed bound to make another run to try and make it four straight. That would not play out the way they planned and would later end in disappointment in the playoffs. With that being said, Bryant enjoyed one of his best seasons in the NBA and would suddenly develop a 3-point shot.
For a majority of his career he couldn’t hit a 3-point shot consistently. Leading to a lot of teams trying to run him to the line instead of beating them in his sweet spots. When Bryant decided he was going to somehow break out and shoot 38.3 percent from 3-point range this season the highest of his career, it gave defenses nightmares.
For the year Kobe would go on to average 30 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game. His shooting splits graded out as very good at 45.1/38.3/84.3, one of his best statistical shooting trios of his career.
Finishing 50-32, the Lakers were bounced in the second round of the playoffs ending their Finals streak. Tensions started to build among the team which eventually led to the Lakers trading Shaq in the 2004 offseason.
Again Kobe would finish with a All-NBA first-team selection and All-Defensive first-team selection. He was selected to his fifth All-Star game and continued to prove to the league why he was the best shooting guard in basketball. At that point it was who was second best? Because first was claimed.