NBA Athlete Number 8 - Kobe Bryant

Okay, number 8 was a real tough one. Walt Bellamy is fully deserving of recognition here. But I gotta slot Kobe Bryant in at either 8 or 24. And I'm picking 8. Kobe Bryant is one of the best NBA players of all-time, which is not really debatable. He is a phenomenal athlete and the closest thing to Michael Jordan, since, well, Michael Jordan. Here are Kobe's career accomplishments through the 2010-11 season.

• 27,868 career points (8th all-time)
• 25.3 points per game (10th all-time)
• 4-time single season NBA leader in points
• 5-time NBA champion (3 while wearing number 8)
• 2-time NBA finals MVP
• .454 career field-goal percentage
• 1,418 career three-pointers (18th all-time)
• 1,653 steals (20th all-time)

Did you know............that Kobe Bryant was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets, but traded to the Lakers for Vlade Divac?  

See more stats at basketball-reference.com.