Lakers News: Insider Paid Tribute To Birthday Boy Kobe Bryant

20-year Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant would have celebrated his 45th birthday this past Wednesday.

Tributes to the Hall of Famer poured in from all across the NBA landscape, from rivals, teammates, fans, and pundits alike.

After he was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the No. 13 pick in a historic 1996 NBA draft (which also boasted future Hall of Famers Allen Iverson, Ray Allen and Steve Nash -- another Hall of Famer, longtime Detroit Pistons big man Ben Wallace, went undrafted that year), Bryant was traded in a deal for incumbent LA starting center Vlade Divac by team GM Jerry West.

It proved to be a momentous summer for the Lakers, as it also marked the moment when West inked free agent Orlando Magic center Shaquille O'Neal to a long-term contract. Los Angeles would eventually ride its two-man core of O'Neal and Bryant to four NBA Finals appearances, including three straight wings from 2000-2002. As their fame grew, Bryant and O'Neal struggled to get along, and their increasing animus resulted in an O'Neal trade to the Heat during the 2004 offseason.

Following an extended wilderness period, the Lakers traded with the Memphis Grizzlies to acquire All-Star big man Pau Gasol, who helped Bryant return to three more NBA Finals. They won two.

Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson wished Bryant a happy birthday on Wednesday, posting this clip of a reflective Bryant discussing his then-impending retirement at the 2016 Toronto All-Star game, with LA at the time having fallen well out of the playoff picture. The Lakers would have been 11-44 at the All-Star break, en route to a 17-65 season during Bryant's last year.

Happy Birthday to my Dawg @kobebryant. 💜💛

Thank you for EVERYTHING! pic.twitter.com/6NZNXWG4hz
— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) August 24, 2023

"It would have been amazing" to retire directly after winning a championship like Hall of Fame NFL quarterback Peyton Manning, Bryant told Robinson in the clip. "But it just wasn't meant to be. At the same time, I can't complain about it, man. I've enjoyed winning to the tune of five championships. I've been very, very fortunate to have those when [for] most players [it's] very difficult to get one, so you've got to be able to take the good with the bad."

Are you following us on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube yet? Join the conversation as we discuss the latest Lakers news and rumors with fans like you!