Happy Birthday, Kobe Bryant!

Kobe Bryant came to the Lakers in 1996, a fresh-faced puppily-enthusiastic 17-year-old kid still living with his parents. In fact, they had to sign his first contract because he was a minor unable to enter into a legal contract. But that kid is no longer. Since that time, Kobe has married, become a father twice over, won 5 championships, one MVP award, 2 Finals MVPs, 2 scoring titles, 4 All Star MVPs, climbed to 4th on the NBA's all time scoring list, scored 81 points in a single game (the second most in NBA history), broken every bone in his body...oh wait, that was Evel Knievel. Well, he's done a whole buncha shit no one else has done and that's all that matters.

So Happy Birthday to Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. Here's to at least another 35 years.

Share some of your favorite Kobe memories and pics in the comments below.