How many NBA Championships did Kobe win? Kobe NBA Championships throwback story

Kobe Bryant is widely regarded as one of greatest players to play in NBA and his legacy transcends beyond sport. Bryant burst onto scene as an 18-year-old drafted by Los Angeles Lakers, before becoming franchise cornerstone and leading one of great sports dynasties. Here's a look back at how many NBA championships did Kobe win and a look back at Kobe Bryant career. Kobe NBA championships stories are fascinating ones.

Kobe Bryant NBA championships: How many NBA championship rings did Kobe have?

Kobe Bryant career began when he was a lanky 18-year-old who was picked up by Los Angeles Lakers in NBA draft via Charlotte Hornets. Bryant naturally took time adjusting to league and had a slow start to his rookie year and sophomore year, before establishing himself as premier guard in division. His skills saw him earn comparisons with magic Johnson and Michael Jordan, but a title still eluded him in his third season. However, Bryant's fortunes changed following end of Chicago Bulls era and Lakers' signing of Phil Jackson as ir new head coach. 

Like with Bulls where Jackson capitalised on strengths of Jordan and Scottie Pippen, at Lakers it was Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal who became a key part of triangle offence. Lakers clinched three successive NBA championships, which were first three Kobe Bryant NBA rings won. Lakers faced off against Indiana Pacers in 2000 NBA Finals, where despite injury "Black Mamba" led his side to title in six games.

Bryant continued his form next season, where Lakers won title against  Philadelphia 76ers in five games. In  2002 Finals, against  New Jersey Nets, Bryant again starred and became youngest player to win three championships. 

Kobe Bryant NBA rings: Kobe NBA championships back-to-back wins

Lakers lost NBA Finals in 2004 before Shaquille O'Neal was traded to Miami Heat. While Kobe Bryant continued to top-scoring charts and records, Lakers went on a championship drought that lasted for seven seasons. In meantime, Shaquille O'Neal won NBA championship with Heat, going one up on Bryant.

However, answer to 'How many NBA championships did Kobe win?' query is 5. Lakers star bounced back with back-to back championship wins, in 2009 and 2020. Bryant is one of 26 players to win NBA championship five times in his career. Following wins, Lakers again went through a lean patch, before Kobe hung up his boots in 2016. 

In his 20-year career with Lakers, Kobe Bryant won five NBA rings with 2010 championship being his final one. Bryant also won a host of or accolades winning back-to-back NBA Finals MVP in 2009, 2010, along with being a two-time scoring champion and an 18-time All-Star, where he bagged MVP four times. 

(Im Courtesy: nba.com)