MVP // 2002 NBA All-Star Game
Winning a championship in the hometown that residents believe you’ve forsaken once before doesn’t sound like a intriguing proposition to many. However, for the proverbial beast that is Kobe Bryant, that notion was executed and delivered as during the 2000-01 season the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers four games to one to seal their second straight title. Let’s just say the city of Brotherly Love was not too fond of Mr. Bryant as he returned to Philly as a starter for the Western Conference in the 2002 NBA All-Star Game.
Bryant would turn in a memorable performance in his hometown by scoring 31 points, nabbing 5 rebounds and dishing out 5 assists in the adidas The Kobe II. As Bryant secured MVP honors, many will remember the star guard being booed in his native Philadelphia as fans still harbored mixed emotions for Bryant.
