Kobe Bryant has gone through his fair share of ups and downs throughout his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, but in 2007, he came as close to leaving the team as he ever had throughout his career. Having won his first three championships and developed an addiction to winning next to Shaquille O'Neal during the start of the millennium, Bryant struggled to put it all together with a supporting cast that just wasn't as capable to propel him to that same height.
Championship starved by five years, Bryant requested a trade, putting the face of the franchise at risk, but it was ultimately legacy and a reputation for winning that convinced him to stay.
New general manager Rob Pelinka, Bryant's former agent, told a story at an ESPNLA event of how owner Dr. Jerry Buss convinced the star shooting guard to stay put in a fragile moment for the organization.
Buss left a short telegram for Bryant as he went on vacation; as usually sharp and to the point, leaving Bryant no option but to re-think his options.
“Kobe, as you make this decision, never bet against me winning championships.”
While the organization had gone through a tough time with other powerhouses emerging in the West, the Lakers' legacy and their banners spoke for themselves, making Bryant reconsider and ultimately return for his 11th season with the team.
Dr. Buss passed away on 2013 but had back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010 to prove his gut right yet again, as the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol later that season, surging into the tandem partner Bryant had been looking to help him carry the torch.
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