Kobe used to get up a lot more often a number 8, but number 24 is just as cold-blooded and motivated. By Cpl. Megan Stiner [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

I think he looks like a horse more than a black mamba.

And I still side with Shaq.

Quietly the man who is arguably the greatest Laker of all time (I still believe that title belongs to Magic, Kareem and Shaq) surpassed 30,000 points on December the 6th. And nobody paraded.

It was the first time ever Laker fans didn’t go over-the-top to applaud the poster-boy for one of his many accomplishments. Perhaps it has something to do with the Lakers’ slow start and the startling fact that this year’s team is just 1-10 when Bryant scores more than 30 points in a game?

30,000 times a point has been tallied in one man’s name. His record speaks for itself — Bryant has been through more than most over his 17 years in the NBA.

Below are five important moments in the Hooved – Mamba’s career.

Whether it was deserved, Kobe was the youngest player to ever play in an NBA All Star game. A feat that featured just how mega popular the then number 8 was becoming.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=53QwPeImmAA

The ego that has made the man a 5 time champion is the same ego that has plagued him his entire career. Despite earlier speculation that the Jordan/Bryant debate was drummed up by the media, Bryant in this clip, proves that notion wrong.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufSvlU3MoSY

Fans will find any reason to think the star of their choice is superhuman. I had arguments over and over regarding this ridiculous clip. The amount of believers was frightening.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIWeEFV59d4

81-points in a single game ranks 2nd all-time.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeXZY4eVLlo

It’s hard to describe this moment. 58-seconds into the clip, Kobe arrogantly says “I got one more than Shaq.” Really? 7-years later, and the man is still that bitter?

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BcRBtvxlCs