“I love it when everybody thinks we're kind of down and out” – Kobe Bryant was on a mission during the Lakers struggles, months after their three-peat

After registering a three-peat, things just went differently for the Los Angeles Lakers by the 2002-2003 season. The Purple and Gold struggled with Shaquille O'Neal, who was sidelined due to a foot injury. Despite adversities, Kobe Bryant remained upbeat and took it as a challenge.

"I'm a very optimistic person," Bryant said back in 2002 via the New York Times . "I love challenges, and I love it when everybody thinks we're kind of down and out. I love responding to that, and this right here is the ultimate challenge," the Black Mamba added.

Messy situation for Lakers

Despite Kobe's positive mindset, the Lakers' woes continued worsening with time. There was internal bickering, mostly between Bryant and O'Neal . Was LA losing the appetite to continue winning titles?

Vino preferred to keep things close to his chest. He was aware that some players had not been playing well compared to the previous season. Rather than push for changes in personnel, Bryant did not discount the fact that this was the same team that had won three straight titles since 2000.

"Do we need new people? That's not a question for me. Where I stand on it is that we've had so many battles together, winning three championships together, so I can't jump ship on them this early," the Lakers guard quipped.

Aware of their predicament, Bryant pushed himself that season with O'Neal missing games. The effort paid off, and Kobe entered the Most Valuable Player race. However, his efforts were not enough for the struggling Lakers.

Bryant was on a mission to win more titles with the Lakers

The Lakers managed to get their act together that year. They finished with a 50-32 regular-season record to advance to the playoffs. Unfortunately, LA was booted out by the eventual 2003 champion San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the playoffs in six games.

It was a brutal end for the Lakers, most especially for Bryant. After failing to get a four-peat, Bean vowed to work himself to exhaustion heading into the 2003-04 season.

"I'll push myself to exhaustion," Bryant stated after that loss to the Spurs.

The Lakers were bent on getting back on track. They signed All-Stars Karl Malone and Gary Payton to join the tandem of Bryant and O'Neal. Unfortunately, injuries frustrated the Laker's 2004 playoff march. Although LA made the Finals again, they would fall to the Detroit Pistons in five games.

Aware they had to rebuild, the Lakers kept Bryant and retooled around him. O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat, while Malone and Payton also departed. Phil Jackson also stepped down as he sought higher compensation. The Zen Master returned in 2005 and worked closely with Bryant to rebuild the Lakers. The partnership would eventually pay off, rewarding the Lakers with the 2009 and 2010 NBA crowns.

Related: "I'll go to New York and play for Phil" - Inside the Kobe Bryant-Lakers drama that almost pushed him to go play for the Knicks