Kobe Bryant, the face of the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, is not going anywhere any time soon. The superstar shooting guard signed a three-year contract extension with the team Friday.
- Bryant is 31 years old, and will be with the team through at least the 2013-2014 season. Bryant is now currently inked as long as teammates Pau Gasol, who signed an extension earlier this season, and Ron Artest, who signed as a free agent this past off-season.
- The large extension is reportedly worth $90 million; Kobe will earn $27.4 million in the 2011/2012 season, $30 million in the 2012/2013 season, and $32.6 million in the 2013/2014 season.
- Bryant has spent the entirety of his 14-year career with Los Angeles since being traded to L.A. from the then-Charlotte Hornets after he was drafted by Charlotte. Bryant has appeared in six NBA Finals, including the last two, and is a four-time NBA champion. He won the Finals MVP last season.
- Bryant won his only NBA MVP award to date in the 2007-2008 season. Other career achievements for Kobe include 12 All-Star appearances, 7 times being named to the All-NBA first team, and twice being named to both the All-NBA second and third teams. Bryant has also twice been the NBA scoring champion.
