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The Kobe Bryant Map of Los Angeles

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Kobe Bryant's final NBA game is tonight—and for this day only, he has his own Metro stop. In his long tenure as a Laker, the future Hall of Famer has impacted the city of Los Angeles almost as much as anybody—certainly more than any other athlete. So it seems fitting to honor Bryant's legacy by mapping a few notable spots around the general LA area (dirty little secret: Kobe's actually more of an OC guy), where the man who ages like fine wine has left his mark over the years.

Bryant came into the lives of Angelenos all the way back in 1996, when he was chosen thirteenth in the NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets—remember that fact; you know it will come up in some trivia contest someday. The Hornets immediately traded Bryant to the Lakers, where he's played ever since. During Kobe's career, the Lakers have won five championships, including three in a row from 2000 to 2002.

Bryant's time as a player has not been without controversy. A much-publicized feud between him and Shaquille O'Neal led to Lakers management deciding to trade the latter star. In 2003, rape accusations made by a hotel employee in Colorado turned many fans against him. And there was his ill-fated hip-hop career.

But Bryant's relentless work ethic and competitive drive have still earned him millions of fans around the world. Now let's take a look at some of his old SoCal haunts.

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STAPLES Center

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Any tour of Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles begins and ends here. The arena often credited with reinvigorating Downtown Los Angeles had the good fortune of opening just in time for the prime years of Bryant's career—and five Laker titles.

The Forum

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It's a credit to the incredible longevity of Bryant's career that he played his first seasons as a pro in the former home of Magic Johnson and the Showtime Lakers.

Marina High School

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Bryant met his wife Vanessa while she was still a senior at this Huntington Beach high school. They became engaged shortly thereafter and, in spite of some major ups and downs, they remain married today.

House of Blues

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Back in the summer of 2000, most people knew Kobe Bryant only as one of basketball's brightest young stars. That is until he picked up a mic, got on stage at the House of Blues, and...was immediately drowned out by a deafening backing track. This Sunset Strip club went the way of Kobe's short-lived rap career last year.

Former Home

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Bryant sold his longtime home in an exclusive Newport Beach gated community just last year for the record-breaking price of $6.1165 million. It's a testament to the Mamba's lofty expectations for himself that he originally asked for $8.599 million.

Rafinity, Inc.

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A reminder of one of the most ignominious periods of Bryant's time in LA, this is the shop (now closed) where he purchased a $4 million ring for his wife days after being charged with sexually assaulting a Colorado woman. The charges were later dropped, but a civil case was settled out of court and Bryant issued a public apology.

John Wayne Airport (SNA)

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Believe it or not, this is actually Kobe's access point for most of LA. After making the short drive from his house, he travels by helicopter to games and team practices. The man just hates traffic.

Disneyland

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Like so many other celebrities with children, Bryant has been spotted a few times at the Happiest Place on Earth. He even stopped by for the Fourth of July fireworks show a couple summers back.

El Camino Real

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This humble stripmall Mexican restaurant might not look like the kind of place to find superstar athletes chowing down, but Bryant has apparently been going there for years. He likes the carne asada tostadas, with flan for desert.

STAPLES Center

Any tour of Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles begins and ends here. The arena often credited with reinvigorating Downtown Los Angeles had the good fortune of opening just in time for the prime years of Bryant's career—and five Laker titles.

The Forum

It's a credit to the incredible longevity of Bryant's career that he played his first seasons as a pro in the former home of Magic Johnson and the Showtime Lakers.

Marina High School

Bryant met his wife Vanessa while she was still a senior at this Huntington Beach high school. They became engaged shortly thereafter and, in spite of some major ups and downs, they remain married today.

House of Blues

Back in the summer of 2000, most people knew Kobe Bryant only as one of basketball's brightest young stars. That is until he picked up a mic, got on stage at the House of Blues, and...was immediately drowned out by a deafening backing track. This Sunset Strip club went the way of Kobe's short-lived rap career last year.

Former Home

Bryant sold his longtime home in an exclusive Newport Beach gated community just last year for the record-breaking price of $6.1165 million. It's a testament to the Mamba's lofty expectations for himself that he originally asked for $8.599 million.

Rafinity, Inc.

A reminder of one of the most ignominious periods of Bryant's time in LA, this is the shop (now closed) where he purchased a $4 million ring for his wife days after being charged with sexually assaulting a Colorado woman. The charges were later dropped, but a civil case was settled out of court and Bryant issued a public apology.

John Wayne Airport (SNA)

Believe it or not, this is actually Kobe's access point for most of LA. After making the short drive from his house, he travels by helicopter to games and team practices. The man just hates traffic.

Disneyland

Like so many other celebrities with children, Bryant has been spotted a few times at the Happiest Place on Earth. He even stopped by for the Fourth of July fireworks show a couple summers back.

El Camino Real

This humble stripmall Mexican restaurant might not look like the kind of place to find superstar athletes chowing down, but Bryant has apparently been going there for years. He likes the carne asada tostadas, with flan for desert.