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Kobe Bryant: Five-time NBA Champion, one-time MVP, Oscar Winner

By Jamaal Artis

HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Filmmakers Kobe Bryant (L) and Glen Keane accept Best Animated Short Film for 'Dear Basketball' onstage during the 90th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 04: Filmmakers Kobe Bryant (L) and Glen Keane accept Best Animated Short Film for 'Dear Basketball' onstage during the 90th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) /
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All of Hollywood’s most elite were present for the 90th annual Academy Awards. Of the winners, Kobe Bryant may be the most surprising.

Kobe Bryant may be retired but he isn’t done winning trophies. We can add Academy Award winner to his extensive resume and accomplishments. Bryan’s short film entitled “Dear Basketball” won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film.

For Bryant, it’s quite an accomplishment to have received the film industries ultimate prize on his first try.

Bryant collaborated with producer Gary Keane and legendary film score composer John Williams to make the five minute short based on the essay he wrote when he announced his retirement from the NBA.

Bryant accepted his Oscar by making a dig at some political commentary made about Lebron James recently.

"“As basketball players, we’re really supposed to shut up and dribble. I’m glad we can do a little bit more than that,” Kobe shared during his acceptance speech. “Thank you Academy for this amazing honor.”"

Bryant also thanked his collaborators on the project and his family. Praise came in from different walks of life in both the entertainment and sports world on social media.

While some others took the opportunity to try and mar the occasion by bringing up Bryant’s legal troubles stemming from his 2004 trial.

After a 20-year career playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant has used the same “Mamba” mentality he brought to the court to his new endeavors. Bryant has gone from conquering on the court to running an entertainment company.

And just saying, Kobe Bryant is paving avenues that those before him could not. Michael Jordan, how did “Space Jam” do at the Oscars? Oh yeah, it wasn’t even nominated for an award, I forgot.

LeBron James, buddy, how about you? You’re still in the league, but you’ve been in “Trainwreck” starring Amy Schumer and Bill Hader, how did that do? Well, it was nominated for two Golden Globes but was nowhere to be seen at the Oscars.

Next: How do the Lakers stack up in landing LeBron?

Obviously, a movie career does not dictate who is the greatest of all time on the court. However, in terms of Hollywood, Kobe Bryant is winning. Congrats, Kobe.

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