Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Kobe Bryant will play his final NBA game against the Utah Jazz later on Wednesday night.
A Los Angeles Laker for the last 20 seasons, the longest stint by any player on one team, Bryant had been arguably the best player of his generation before injuries slowed him, leading the Lakers to five titles.
Ahead of his final NBA game against the Utah Jazz - what will be his 1,346 in the regular season as well as another 170 in the play-offs - here are the raw numbers that prove just how impressive Bryant has been.
Kobe in Numbers:
48,576: Minutes played ahead of the final game, the sixth most in NBA history
33,570: Career points, third on the NBA’s all-time scoring list behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387) and Karl Malone (36,928)
27,500: Price in dollars (£19,315) fans are paying for courstide tickets to his final game at the Staples Center
26,150: Career field goal attempts, third most all-time
9,999: Career free throw attempts - fifth all-time
8,368: Career free throw makes - third all-time
5,640: Points scored in the NBA play-offs, third most in NBA history behind Michael Jordan (5,987) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (5,762)
81: Points in a 122-104 victory against the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 22, 2006, the second-highest total in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in 1962
50: Bryant has 24 career 50-point games, third most in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain (118) and Michael Jordan (31)
37: This season he became the first player age 37 or older to score at least 25 points in three straight games since Michael Jordan (aged 40) in 2003
24.97: Career points per-game average, 12th all-time
24: Jersey number beginning in the 2006-07 season after switching from No 8
20: Seasons with the Lakers, the most with one team in NBA history
18: Consecutive All-Star Game selections (the longest streak in NBA history) and All-Star Game selections overall (the second most all-time behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 19)
16: Appearances on Christmas Day, the most in NBA history
15: All-Star Game starts, the most in NBA history
13: Overall selection by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1996 NBA Draft - he was traded for centre Vlade Divac
11: All-NBA First Team selections, tied with Karl Malone for the most in NBA history
9: NBA All-Defensive First Team selections, tied with Kevin Garnett, Michael Jordan and Gary Payton for the most in NBA history
5: NBA championships, tied with Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs for the highest total among active players
4: All-Star MVP Awards (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011), tied with Bob Pettit for the most in NBA history
2: Finals MVP Awards (2009, 2010)
1: Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award (2007-08)
You can watch Kobe Bryant’s last game live on BT Sport 1 or via NBA League Pass from 3.30am Wednesday evening/Thursday morning
*all numbers correct before his final game against the Utah Jazz
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments