Although his LA Lakers are off to a shaky start to their season, Kobe Bryant has certainly been here before.

16 years ago Bryant made his NBA debut as a fresh faced 18-year-old and was, at the time, the youngest to ever play in the Association.

Now a grizzled and experienced 34, Bryant has carved out his place in basketball history and will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest of all time. Here now, is a special look at the man they call The Black Mamba.