Monday, June 4 Kobe Bryant: Year-by-year Kobe Bryant came into the NBA with plenty of question marks. Five years later, he's seemingly answered most of the doubters. Bryant Bryant was the 13th pick of the Charlotte Hornets in 1996 -- entering the league straight out of Lower Merion (Pa.) High School -- but was traded less than a month later to the Lakers for Vlade Divac. He struggled for playing time his first two seasons, winning a Slam Dunk title but only one NBA playoff series, prompting some to claim he was more style than substance. But the last three seasons have seen Bryant climb beyond that. He enters the NBA Finals are arguably the game's most dangerous player. ESPN.com takes a look at his year-by-year progress. Yr. PPG/RPG/APG Comment '96-97 7.6/1.9/1.3 The youngest player in Laker history (18 years, two months and 11 days for his first game), he was nurtured slowly by coach Del Harris. Bryant played just 15.5 minutes per game during the regular season (71 games). He started just six times, but was named to the league's All-Rookie second team. '97-98 15.4/3.1/2.5 Now a starter, he was selected to the Western Conference All-Star team -- the youngest player ever to do it. He upped his minutes to 26 per game, shot better from the field and started to show flashes of brilliance. But he also struggled, including a flameout in the Western Conference finals against Utah as the Lakers were swept. '98-99 19.9/5.3/3.8 In the strike-shortened season, Bryant came into his own, being named to the all-NBA third team. He picked up his shooting percentage (to 46.5) and led the team in steals. But the Lakers were swept in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs by San Antonio. '99-00 22.5/6.3/4.9 Named to the NBA's all-defensive team for the first time and to the all-NBA second team despite missing the first 15 games of the regular season with an injury. Bryant's all-around game came clearly into focus. He teamed with Shaquille O'Neal to lead the Lakers to 67 regular-season wins and the team's first NBA title in 12 seasons. '00-01 28.5/5.9/5.0 Named second-team all-NBA Defense, but also turned into an offensive machine. He averaged 28.5 points per game and scored a career-high 51 points against Golden State during regular season. A well-publicized "feud" with Shaquille O'Neal was an in-season diversion for the Lakers, but Bryant didn't seem fazed. And he's had a brilliant playoffs. Totals 18.5/4.4/3/4 Through five years, Bryant isn't quite on a Jordan-like pace -- MJ averaged 28.2 points per game in his rookie season and 31.5 for his career. But Bryant has one more NBA title than Jordan did, and has a chance for another against the Sixers. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories

ALSO SEE Lawrence: Kobe has grown May: Awed by Lakers? Not the Sixers