Kobe is my favorite player. Will He Be the Best Laker Ever? This is meant as a tribute, no copyright infringement intended. Kobe Bean Bryant (born August 23, 1978) is an American All-Star shooting guard who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career and made instant headlines when he decided to go directly into the NBA upon graduation. Bryant and then-teammate Shaquille O’Neal led the Lakers to …