Whether you love him or hate him or simply want to be like him, one thing always reigns true: Kobe Bean Bryant is no ordinary specimen. He is a man that is consistently perfecting his craft practice-after-practice, game-after-game, and so on. He’s a basketball genius. His competitive spirit is second to none. And I forgot, Kobe Bryant is also the GOAT.
However, that is an argument for another day. Today, I want you to put aside your bias for Kobe, the Lakers, or both. I want you to refrain from comparing him to MJ, LeBron James, and others. As I rewind the clock, I urge you to embrace and to relive the top 20 moments of Bryant’s 20 illustrious seasons in the NBA because after Wednesday, April 13, that is all we will have left because the highlight reels or old game films will never suffice for Bryant’s tremendous impact on the game of basketball.
20. Kobe's last game vs. the Utah Jazz
The Lakers' game against the Utah Jazz will be Bryant's swan song. An emotional matchup it will be. Will Bryant wreak havoc on the box score one last time? Will his teammates finally rally to secure him a win, so that he can fittingly ride off into the sunset? According to reports, Lakers coach Byron Scott has been demanding that players "pass Kobe the ball" during timeouts.
Regardless, after the Lakers organization failed to effectively build around Kobe and help him be in NBA Finals contention. He's given us 20 remarkable seasons. The least the Lakers can do is give him one last win.
19. His return after tearing his Achilles
Basketball's wear-and-tear had taken a toll on Bryant. With Father Time creeping, Bryant was adamant on proving to himself and to the fans that tearing his Achilles would not stop him from playing the game he loves. Although he could no longer jump like his 18-year-old self, Bryant still managed to adjust his game and destroy opponents with his signature fadeaway and pump fake.
18. Kobe’s Spectacular Dunk over Gerald Wallace/Kris Humphries
Bryant has always risen to the challenging of posterizing his defenders. The opportunity to dunk on Kris Humphries and Gerald Wallace was no different.
17. Final Title Run
The Lakers-Celtics rivalry runs deep. The two storied franchises have met an impressive 12 times in the NBA Finals. The Lakers' 2010 Game 7 victory was Kobe's last Finals' appearance and his most memorable one, avenging Los Angeles' 2008 loss suffered at the hands of the Celtics.
16. 2008 Olympics: Capturing Gold
After coming off an impressive season, winning the NBA's MVP award, Bryant teamed up with the league's best to help Team USA capture gold.
15. Being traded to the Lakers
Let's rewind to where it all began. In the 1996 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets selected Kobe Bryant with the #13 overall pick. Bryant, however, was soon traded to the Lakers in exchange for Vlade Divac.
14. Clutch Shots Against Portland
If you ever you doubted Kobe's ability to be clutch, the clip above is for you.
13. Winning without Shaq
After defeating the Orlando Magic in five games, Bryant won his fourth championship and was awarded his first NBA Finals MVP. O'Neal had won all three of the Finals MVP during the Lakers' three-peat.
12. 65 points Against Portland
Kobe's lights out performance against Portland launched his record scoring campaign. Bryant scored 50 points or more in four straights games, becoming only the second player (Wilt Chamberlain was the first) to accomplish this feat.
11. The 1997 Slam Dunk Contest
In the 1997 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, a confident Bryant threw down high-flying, ferocious dunks to the amazement of the crowd. Subsequently, Bryant took home the title.
10. Kobe's Assist to Shaq for the one-hand slam
Bryant's crossover on Portland's Scottie Pippen was key in setting up the one-handed alley-oop slam to the Big Aristotle. The play, which sealed the deal for the Lakers, is one of the most historic playoff moments.
9. 12 3-pointers in a single game
He's no Ray Allen or Reggie Miller, but on January 7, 2003, you would've thought he was. Bryant, whose career average is 33 percent from behind-the-arc, set an NBA record for most 3-pointers in a single game. Bryant went 12-for-18 from the three-point line and 16-for-28 from the field, finishing with 45 points.
8. Dwight Howard, "You're soft."
Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant's relationship is interesting to say the least. Kobe, who called Howard "soft" during a heated exchange in a 2014 game, was unsympathetic to Howard in his rookie season. Howard has never forgotten that moment.
7. Kobe dunks over Steve Nash
Before they were teammates, Bryant put Steve Nash on a poster.
6. Game winner over the Miami Heat
With 3.2 seconds remaining on the clock and the Lakers down two to the Miami Heat, Bryant took the game into his own hands. Rising over good friend Dwyane Wade, Bryant clinched the nail-biting game winner.
5. Kobe vs. MJ: The Teacher vs. The Student
The most memorable matchup between Bryant and NBA legend Michael Jordan came during the 1998 NBA All-Star game. Basketball fans across the world witnessed the passing of the torch from one legend to another legend.
4. 62 points in 3 quarters
62 points. Need I say more...
3. Clutch Shots on the Phoenix Suns
Bryant left the fans in awe after hitting a game-tying floater against the Phoenix Suns to send the game into overtime. In overtime, Bryant hit a dagger over two Suns' defenders, leaving the Suns' players and coaches in shock.
2. Nailing two free throws after tearing Achilles
After what looked like a career-ending injury, Kobe displayed the ultimate form of toughness: Sinking two free shots, while suffering a torn Achilles.
1. 81-point game
In front of the Laker faithful, Bryant showcased his wide range of scoring ability in the Lakers’ 122-104 victory over Toronto in 2006. He became just the second player to ever eclipse 80 points. The first person, obviously, was Wilt Chamberlain in 1962 after scoring 100 points against the New York Knicks.
