Like many others, I still can't believe Kobe is no longer with us, but I know Kobe himself would not want us to feel so sad, and instead it would be better to celebrate his life, career and impact to both the game and fans worldwide. As a result, here are the Kobe moments that I remember best:
- 81 points, the greatest single game performance in the modern NBA period (Jan 2006)
- After the worst loss of his career in the '08 finals, Kobe came back the next year with some heavy vengeance. He murdered the Magic in game 1, setting the table for a finals series that the Lakers would go onto win in 5 games. Kobe won the FMVP, giving him his first trophy without Shaq on his team (Jun 2009)
Link: kobe game 1 vs magic - YouTube
- His final game ever. Still remember this game like it was yesterday, when he decided to go vintage Kobe to pull a horrid Lakers team to come back against the Jazz by dropping 60 including the game-winning shot with less than a minute to go. What a way to go off into the sunset! (Apr 2016)
- Three straight highly contested 3-pointers in the last 1.5 minutes with his team fighting for a playoff spot. He also capped it off with the game-winning dunk in OT (Mar 2013)
- After a disgraceful finish at the '04 Olympics, Kobe decided to join team USA in Beijing '08 and honestly, without Kobe's insane gold medal game performance, Spain likely beats the US that year (Aug 2008)
Link: Kobe Bryant's clutchest game 2008 Olympics USA
- I know they ended up losing the series, but this was Kobe at his very best. Tying the game then winning it in OT to push the MVP Nash-led Suns to the brink of elimination. It is also noteworthy that his daughter, Gigi, who tragically lost her life on that flight with Kobe was born very shortly after this game (May 2006)
Link: Kobe Game-Tying + Game Winning Shot vs Suns 06 Play-Offs HD
- Far from Kobe's best performance, in fact, losing this game would've been detrimental for his legacy, but he still managed to score 23 points and grab 15 rebounds, while playing lock-down D with a broken shooting finger. He managed to take home his second straight finals MVP officially cementing himself as one of the ATGs, while also getting his sweet revenge on the Celtics, the Lakers' greatest rival (June 2010)
Link: 2010 NBA Finals - Boston vs Los Angeles - Game 7 Best Plays
- Wins an Oscar. No one fit the jack of all trades term more than Kobe did - just when you think Kobe lived life to its fullest, he changes profession in his retirement and takes home the most prestigious award every actor/actress dreams of winning (Mar 2018)
Link: "Dear Basketball" wins Best Animated Short Film
These were just a few of many Kobe moments I still remember fondly to this day. What were your favorite and most memorable moments of Kobe's career.
- 81 points, the greatest single game performance in the modern NBA period (Jan 2006)
- After the worst loss of his career in the '08 finals, Kobe came back the next year with some heavy vengeance. He murdered the Magic in game 1, setting the table for a finals series that the Lakers would go onto win in 5 games. Kobe won the FMVP, giving him his first trophy without Shaq on his team (Jun 2009)
Link: kobe game 1 vs magic - YouTube
- His final game ever. Still remember this game like it was yesterday, when he decided to go vintage Kobe to pull a horrid Lakers team to come back against the Jazz by dropping 60 including the game-winning shot with less than a minute to go. What a way to go off into the sunset! (Apr 2016)
- Three straight highly contested 3-pointers in the last 1.5 minutes with his team fighting for a playoff spot. He also capped it off with the game-winning dunk in OT (Mar 2013)
- After a disgraceful finish at the '04 Olympics, Kobe decided to join team USA in Beijing '08 and honestly, without Kobe's insane gold medal game performance, Spain likely beats the US that year (Aug 2008)
Link: Kobe Bryant's clutchest game 2008 Olympics USA
- I know they ended up losing the series, but this was Kobe at his very best. Tying the game then winning it in OT to push the MVP Nash-led Suns to the brink of elimination. It is also noteworthy that his daughter, Gigi, who tragically lost her life on that flight with Kobe was born very shortly after this game (May 2006)
Link: Kobe Game-Tying + Game Winning Shot vs Suns 06 Play-Offs HD
- Far from Kobe's best performance, in fact, losing this game would've been detrimental for his legacy, but he still managed to score 23 points and grab 15 rebounds, while playing lock-down D with a broken shooting finger. He managed to take home his second straight finals MVP officially cementing himself as one of the ATGs, while also getting his sweet revenge on the Celtics, the Lakers' greatest rival (June 2010)
Link: 2010 NBA Finals - Boston vs Los Angeles - Game 7 Best Plays
- Wins an Oscar. No one fit the jack of all trades term more than Kobe did - just when you think Kobe lived life to its fullest, he changes profession in his retirement and takes home the most prestigious award every actor/actress dreams of winning (Mar 2018)
Link: "Dear Basketball" wins Best Animated Short Film
These were just a few of many Kobe moments I still remember fondly to this day. What were your favorite and most memorable moments of Kobe's career.
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