7- The first of many Finals moments.
The 2000 NBA Finals were very interesting for Kobe. After spraining his ankle, Kobe missed most of Game 2 and all of Game 3 before returning for a pivotal Game 4 in Indiana against the Pacers. The Lakers were trying go up 3-1, and a great back and forth game headed to overtime, where Shaquille O’Neal would foul out.
No worries, Kobe got this. The then 21-year-old took over following Shaq’s departure, scoring on three straight late possessions to give the Lakers the win and a 3-1 lead they would ultimately take to Bryant’s first NBA title.
8- Pressure? What pressure?
It’s Game 2 of the 2004 NBA Finals, the Lakers trail the Pistons 1-0 in the series and by three with under 10 seconds left at home. Enter Mamba.
Kobe takes a hand-off from Luke Walton, dribbles a few times then launches a pull-up three over Rip Hamilton to force overtime in a game the Lakers would go on to win to even up the series.
9- Kobe posterizes Ben Wallace and puts the NBA on notice.
Heading into the ’97-’98 NBA season, Kobe was coming off of an up and down rookie year that saw him win the ’97 Dunk Contest. During the pre-season, the Lakers took on the Washington Wizards and Kobe did this:
Not only was the league on notice that the 19-year-old was here to stay, we also were introduced to Ben Wallace for the first time after Kobe put him on a poster.
10- Rookie Kobe wins the ’97 Dunk Contest
Heading into All-Star Weekend 1997, Bryant was a teenage rookie known for being a high-flyer and not much else. Kobe parlayed that reputation into his first break-out performance on the national scene by winning the Dunk Contest with this ridiculous between-the-legs jam.
While common-place now, such a dunk was incredibly rare to see back in ’97.
11- The Alley-Oop that launched a three-peat
You know the story here. Game 7, Western Conference Finals, Lakers trail the Portland Trailblazers by 13 heading into the fourth before making a furious rally. Kobe stares down Scottie Pippen, crosses him over and heads towards the lane and then:
Kobe lobs to Shaq and the Lakers dynasty is officially launched.
12- Kobe destroys Sprewell
Throughout his career Kobe has always gotten up for games at Madison Square Garden as you’ll see a few times on this list. This crossover and dunk on Latrell Sprewell just might have been his best play in the Garden.
This was just filthy.
FLIP THE PAGES FOR MORE OF KOBE’S TOP MOMENTS…