Free Republic

On Wednesday, April 13 Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest athletes of all time, ended his 20-year basketball career with a bang, scoring 60 points in his last game.While Bryant’s stats can be recited by many  five-time NBA champion, two-time Olympic champion, 18-time All-Star and the third leading scorer in NBA history — few know about the role his Catholic faith played in helping him through one of his darkest hours.Born in Philadelphia, Kobe Bryant was raised in a Catholic household and even spent some of his youth in Italy. Drafted into the NBA at the age of 17, he eventually married Vanessa Laine at...

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Looting and vandalism that broke out in the aftermath of the Los Angeles Lakers' basketball championship won't keep the city from celebrating the team's victory: City officials and the Lakers are planning a victory parade they hope will overshadow unrest the police chief blames on a mob of "knuckleheads." Police were reviewing security video and media images Monday to identify suspects who caused damage downtown the night before. Police Chief William Bratton said many known gang members were in the crowd. "These knuckleheads seem to really relish their opportunity in the dark," Bratton said. A parade...

The Lakers win their 15th organizational title, and 10th in Los Angeles, in their 30th Finals appearance. They defeat the Orlando Magic, 99-86 in Game 5, and win the series 4 games to 1. Kobe Bryant was named MVP of the Finals.