One place that was extremely important to the Bryant family was Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, as it was where all four of their children were born. As such, that place will always hold a special spot in Vanessa’s heart and she recently gave a large philanthropic gift to the hospital.

In response, Hoag renamed and dedicated the court in which Kobe would wait to pick up his wife and children as Kobe & Vanessa Bryant Family Court. Vanessa would release a statement praising the hospital, doctors and nurses for the care they gave her in her times there, via Matt Szabo of the L.A. Times:

“Hoag is a special place,” Vanessa Bryant said in a statement. “I have wonderful memories of the care and support I received from the amazing doctors and nurses. I want this gift to help more people experience that level of care when they need it.”

The dedication occurred on February 24, obviously an important date for the Bryant family with the number 2 representing Gianna Bryant’s jersey number and the 24 of course representing Kobe himself.

Today on 2/24, Vanessa Bryant has announced the new “Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Court” at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach.

All 4 of the Bryant daughters were delivered there. pic.twitter.com/gjwJ3bGSYu

— Kobe Bryant Stories & Motivation (@kobehighlight) February 25, 2026

Hoag President and chief executive Robert Braithwaite also thanked the Bryant family for their gift and how proud they are of the connection they have with the family as a whole:

“This gesture from the Bryant family will have a lasting impact on Hoag, helping us significantly expand care in Newport Beach,” said Robert Braithwaite, president and chief executive of Hoag, in a statement. “What makes this gift so special is the meaningful connection the Bryant family has with Hoag. We’re proud to be part of their healthcare journey.”

As Braithwaite said, Hoag is in the midst of a major expansion throughout Southern California. They recently opened up a health center in San Clemente and their Sun Family Campus hospital in Irvine is undergoing a $1 billion expansion that should be completed this year.

Suns star Devin Booker misses Lakers legend Kobe Bryant

There are many current NBA players who looked up to Kobe Bryant and have taken on parts of his game and one of the best is Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker who spoke during All-Star Weekend about how much he misses the Lakers legend.

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Bryant scored 35 points on the night as he continued his torrid bucket-getting pace that season, and also notched 10 assists and seven rebounds to flirt with a triple-double that put Rush in the unexpected position to deliver a victory for Los Angeles.

Making Rush’s heroics even more unexpected was that they came on a team with Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and Gary Payton. Even Rush himself admitted after the game that Phil Jackson wasn’t exactly intending to free him for a game-winner following a feed from then-rookie Luke Walton, via ESPN:

“The play was designed for Kobe to create something,” Rush said, “and he got doubled. I’m running around, trying to find an open spot. Luke found me and I took the shot. I’ve knocked down that shot a thousand times in my life, but I haven’t been in that position since college.”

Bryant usually took the last shot, but this time he set up Rush, who was clearly up for the task.

Kareem Rush & other stats

Rush’s game-winning three gave him eight points on 3-for-5 shooting in 15 minutes off the bench. Walton finished with a truly bizarre line of two points, making his only field goal attempt, to go with five rebounds, five assists and four steals.

O’Neal also contributed to the Lakers’ victory, giving them 16 points and eight rebounds while defending the paint for four blocks, while Gary Payton contributed 14 points and eight assists to help key the victory.

Nuggets rookie Carmelo Anthony had one of the first of what would be many scoring duels with Bryant in the loss, dropping 35 points on 14-of-25 shooting to go with four rebounds and a block to surprise the more talented Lakers before ultimately falling in defeat.

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In 2011, the NBA introduced an amnesty clause that would allow every team the opportunity to release one player and completely clear them from their salary cap. The player would still receive their salary, but the team would get some cap flexibility. With the Lakers struggling that season, the always outspoken Cuban suggested that the Lakers should consider using the provision on Bryant.

Insert Michael Jordan “And I took that personally” meme here.

No one is quite sure why Cuban thought it was a good idea to make such a suggestion right before Kobe was set to enter the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Feb. 24, 2023. But the Lakers legend made sure he regretted it.

Bryant finished with 38 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists as the Lakers left Dallas with a 103-99 victory. In the fourth quarter, Kobe went a perfect 5-of-5 from the field for 14 points, with seven of those coming in the last three minutes, along with an assist on a Nash 3-pointer, to help ice the game.

But Kobe left his greatest shot for after the game as he went on his Twitter page and sent a very direct message at Cuban:

Amnesty THAT

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) February 24, 2013

Much like his idol Jordan, Kobe was someone who could find any reason for motivation to absolutely dominate a player or a team and he didn’t have to look hard in this instance. While Cuban’s may have made some sense on paper, and when thinking about the average player, those types of rules simply don’t apply when it comes to the likes of Kobe Bryant.

This contest was the Lakers’ third consecutive win and Bryant would continue to prove that even in his 17th NBA season, he was still the standard bearer of the league who could dominate any team on any given night. Kobe would continue like this throughout the remainder of the season, putting out unbelievable performance after unbelievable performance until his body literally couldn’t take it anymore, all for the purpose of getting the Lakers to the postseason.

Kobe made a career out of making people eat their words and Mark Cuban learned that the hard way on this day.

This wasn’t Lakers star Kobe Bryant’s best game against Mavericks

This wasn’t even Bryant’s best game against Cuban and the Mavericks as earlier in his career, the legendary Lakers guard outscored Dallas’ whole team with 62 points in three quarters.

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From there on out, they would form a dynamic duo alongside a stellar supporting cast that featured Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher, and Luke Walton. On Feb. 24, 2008, the Lakers played their final game at the KeyArena at Seattle Center, as they faced off against the Seattle SuperSonics.

Gasol not only solidified the Lakers hopes at a championship run, but also provided a jolt of energy to a team that needed it. The Spaniard was the ideal fit to play alongside Bryant, with a basketball IQ and fundamental base that could sync with Jackson’s triangle offense.

This would mark only his ninth game with the Lakers, but Gasol was able to lead the Lakers to a comfortable victory.

The Lakers got out to a 34-18 lead by the end of the first quarter, with their starting lineup of Bryant, Gasol, Fisher, Odom, and Walton. On the other hand, the SuperSonics relied on younger scorers in Kevin Durant and Jeff Green, along with Earl Watson, Johan Petro, and Nick Collison.

Los Angeles came out ready to play against Seattle, in what was a final stop before they returned to Staples Center. The starters led the way for the Lakers, turning into a game that didn’t require a massive takeover from Bryant.

Walton had 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists in what can now be deemed a Lonzo Ball-esque statline. However, it would be Odom and Gasol that would stamp the Lakers victory, as they were able to help the team hold onto their lead.

The Lakers managed to outscore the SuperSonics by seven points over the second and third quarters, taking a 93-70 lead into the fourth. From there, Los Angeles cruised to what would end as a 111-91 victory, improving their record to 39-17.

Gasol finished with 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while shooting 10-for-18 from the field. Odom also had a strong all-around performance, contributing with 19 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and a steal.

Last game Lakers played in Seattle

A young Durant finished with 15 points on 4-for-13 shooting. The game was the last the Lakers played in Seattle. They finished 128-83 all-time against the SuperSonics franchise.

The 2007-08 season would go on to be the last for the organization, as they were relocated to Oklahoma City. Coming off of a disastrous season in which they finished 20-62 the year prior, P.J. Carlesimo took over as head coach.

Seattle’s front office used their No. 2 pick to draft future superstar Kevin Durant, though he only played one season for the Sonics.

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However, it also marked the first time that a Los Angeles Lakers player didn’t represent their team during All-Star Weekend at Staples Center. After having now hosted the event three times, it presented the surreal situation regarding the Lakers lack of an All-Star caliber player.

Such was not the case on Feb. 20, 2011, when the stage was set for a spectacular night in which Kobe Bryant shined brightest. Staples Center hosted their second All-Star Game, with the elite players in the NBA matching up in the traditional Eastern Conference-Western Conference game.

Bryant wasn’t the only player to represent the Lakers, as Pau Gasol received his third consecutive All-Star bid with the team.

The Western Conference starting lineup of Bryant, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, and Tim Duncan faced off against LeBron James, Derrick Rose, Amar’e Stoudemire, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard, and the Eastern Conference All-Star reserves.

The contest proved to be yet another high-scoring affair, with the West ahead, 76-64, at halftime. The two Lakers were heavily involved in front of their home fans, with the crowd chanting on Gasol and Bryant with each and every shot.

Bryant, who entered with three All-Star Game MVPs already under his belt, seemed fired up to get a chance to play alongside the Spaniard. In 24 minutes of action, Gasol finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks, while shooting 8-for-13 from the field.

The East also had some interesting angles regarding the roster, with Boston Celtics Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett all checking in together at one point just as the Detroit Pistons did less than a decade prior.

However, it would be Bryant and Durant that had the final say in the outcome. The pair created matchup problems across the board, even against the elite players in the world.

Bryant had a series of exhilarating dunks, including a remake of his famous baseline reverse jam against the Minnesota Timberwolves that sucked the gravity out of the Target Center. He also had one of the more notable dunks of his career, averting James’ block attempt for the two-handed slam, followed by a gentleman’s slap to his rear.

After extending their lead to 17 points in the third, the West saw a final resurgence from the East quickly bring the game back to single-digits. James was able to cap off their run by shrinking the deficit down to just two points, with an athletic drive and finish around Gasol.

However, the West was able to compose themselves in the final minutes and hold on for the 148-143 victory. Bryant was awarded his fourth All-Star Game MVP trophy, concluding the contest with 37 points on 14-for-26 shooting, to go along with 14 rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Lakers’ Kobe Bryant tied for most All-Star Game MVPs

Bryant is tied with Bob Pettit for most all-time with four All-Star Game MVPs, while James, Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal each have three.

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