This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 5/26/2016.
During the 2004 NBA All-Star Game, Kobe Bryant scored 20 points with four rebounds, four assists and five steals en route to a Western Conference victory. On the front left tail is a Reebok manufacturer’s tag that reads, “ALL-STARGAME LOS ANGELES 2004 DESIGNED BY REEBOK FOR THE NBA ATHLETE”. Attached is a “50” flag tag, a “PLAYDRY” flag tag and a “+4 LENGTH” flag tag. On the left inseam is a size “50” alterations materials tag and a tag with washing instructions. On the front left chest is the official “NBA” logo embroidered and on the v-neck is a white star embroidered. The player number “8” is on the left chest with “ALL-STAR” embroidered in blue stitching on a white tackle twill strip tag below. Diagonally down the chest reads, “WEST” in blue on white tackle twill with a red tackle twill border. Across the back reads the player name “BRYANT” in blue tackle twill, the “LOS ANGELES LAKERS” team logo patch is above and below is the player number “8” in blue on white on red triple tackle twill. Down each side of the jersey are four white stars with a blue tackle twill border. Bryant signed the jersey below “WEST” in black pen and in our opinion, rates a 7-8 overall. Inside on the rear waistline is a Reebok manufacturer’s tag that reads, “ALL-STARGAME LOS ANGELES 2004 DESIGNED BY REEBOK FOR THE NBA ATHLETE”. Attached is a size “46” flag tag, a “PLAYDRY” flag tag with a “+1 RISE” and “+1 INSEAM” alteration tags. On the center waistline is an “NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE” tag. On the right thigh area is the official “NBA” logo embroidered. Above is a Panini Authentic hologram sticker. Above that, Bryant signed the shorts in black pen and in our opinion rates a 7-8 overall. Each side of the shorts has three white tackle twill stars with a blue tackle twill border. Along the back of the left side of the shorts reads, “WEST” in blue on white on red triple tackle twill. We have yet to uncover a conclusive photo-match from the limited availability of period images for this item. It is more than possible that Bryant was issued more than one shirt for this event (ie: first half, second half, PR event, back-up etc.). This uniform is properly tagged, was presented to us as game-used and in our opinion shows appropriate use. Accompanied by a full JSA LOA and LOAs from D.C. Sports and Panini.
This lot is part of a family owned collection of some of the best Kobe Bryant memorabilia ever publicly auctioned. Every item is hobby fresh. The timing could not be more perfect, as the basketball world recently celebrated Bryant's final farewell season in the NBA. Bryant is one of the league's greatest players of all time and will be remembered for being one of the only players who could muster up a killer instinct akin to Michael Jordan. Bryant won five NBA championships, was a two-time NBA Finals MVP and was named the regular season MVP once. Bryant holds the record for the most consecutive All-Star Game appearances with 18 and was named to 15 All-NBA Teams. Bryant put in the work on both ends of the floor and was named to nine NBA All-Defensive First Teams. The two-time scoring champion is the Los Angeles Lakers all-time leading scorer and ranks third on both the league's all-time regular season scoring and all-time postseason scoring lists. Grey Flannel Auctions is honored to offer this lot of the soon-to-be Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee to our bidders.