Kobe mania at the Olympics

Kobe Bryant smiles at the crowd during the opening ceremony to kick off the 2008 Beijing Olympics. (Robert Gauthier/ Los Angeles Times)

Sept. 16, 2014 5:19 AM PT

President Bush poses with Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd before the USA-China men’s basketball game. (Mandel Ngan / AFP/Getty Images)

Kobe Bryant is surrounded by Chinese supporters as he arrives at the USA vs. Czech Republic women’s basketball game. (Filippo Monteforte / AFP/Getty Images)

Kobe Bryant watches the swimming finals at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing. (Kay Nietfeld / EPA)

Kobe Bryant cheers on the U.S. team during the 800-meter freestyle relay final at the Water Cube. (Julian Abram Wainwright / EPA)

Kobe Bryant dunks as China’s Yao Ming looks on during their Group B preliminary round game. (Scott Strazzante / Chicago Tribune)

Kobe Bryant goes up for a dunk while taking on China. (Phil Walter / Getty Images)

Kobe Bryant lets out a scream after dunking against Greece. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant goes up for a dunk against Spain. (Eric Gay / AFP/Getty Images)