The 2008-2010 playoff performances from Kobe is what made me come to conclusion that Kobe is the best and most skilled player ever. Jordan might be the GOAT when it comes to accolades and achievements but when it comes to pure skills and will Kobe is the one.
Kobe overcame all the hate and discrediting to win 2 titles in a row, so close to a 3 peat. Kobe lost out on a 3 peat because of the original big 3, and still came back 2 years later and beat them. The black mamba will never be replicated
Tino44954: I have a saying that I only reserve for the best of the best. It goes like this: “Sometimes, the other guy is just better than you”. That was Kobe Bryant. RIP Kobe 🙏
O la m no look ml l lo lo lo lo lo lo look on los lo lo lo m lo lo lo lo lo lo lo lo o lo lo lo los por o lo lo lo lo los o lo 9 lo 9 lo m los m los o lo los los m lo los lo ml99m los m lo m lo lo m lo m los por pm los opositores m lo lo mmo
The only player in NBA history to sweep a 50 Win 8th seed team an in 3 different playoff runs he had to go thru an entire conference of 50+wins. All three time's he did that they won a Championship. We really under estimated his GREATNESS RIP King Kobe we will forever miss you!💪🏿🏀💛💜
The media beat his name to the floor, and all I can think off is that rape case he had, if that never came to light realistically he would of had more hardware like mvps and rings but that damn case always followed him and media always reminded people that kobe was always the villain, sucks kobe died a hero at the end kobe was able to win over the fans that hated him because of the media well almost.
@@emmanueledano5194 I'm of the belief that stats mean little to nothing if they're not leading to winning. It irks me when people say Lebron is "making the right play". Maybe the wrong play is what he should have made lol
He played a near perfect game. Not just about the stats. But the way he played in the flow of the offense, getting his teammates involved, and being patient. Wasn't forcing the issue either. Also played great defense. He dominated. Favorite Kobe game.
Kobe should've won MVP that year. The Lakers were 2-0 against the Cavs and they only lost one less game then them while playing in a tougher Western conference.
+Ernesto Hendrix that year the Lakers had the second best record in the league just one game behind the cavs. every other player you mentioned played on a team with a worse record. it was really either lebron or Kobe
micklemore That's because he was on a much better team. None of those other players had a #2 as good as Gasol on their team. CP3 and LeBron truly carried their teams that season.
Exactly. Hence "most valuable player" not "best team". Tbh Kobe was still a solid candidate since the lakers would not have won without him, but I would make the argument that the cavs would not even had made the playoffs without lebron. He was the team, sadly. Kobe had a team that wasn't full of stars, but had REALLY good chemistry that year (and the next year too).
this argument is flawed because going by your logic, Melo should win an MVP in 2012 and Durant in 2013 i think, and not Lebron. Personally, i feel there was no point awarding Lberon 2 MVP titles while he played with the Heat. He had 2 all star team mates/franchise players in Bosh and Wade so idg. 08-2010 should've been won by Kobe because the Lakers would have gone nowhere without him. Same could be said for Lebron but ill ask you this, who was the better player in those years? Kobe. Lebron proved he wasnt good enough and that's why he didnt make the finals and he jumped ship in 2010. Lebron was the face of the new NBA, given the rise of social media and all that. and kobe never had a team as stacked as lebron's miami teams, and MJ's 6-0 Bulls. And to Everyone who says Lebron is better than Kobe and could be compared to JORDAN, Do Kobe and Mj lose to Dallas and Spurs given Lebron's MiaMI teams? understand i did not mention the 2007 finals and 2015 cuz he had no help. My opinion
The main difference I see here, compared to Kobe's first championship run, is that he's using his basketball IQ more, being able to break down the defense, stay disciplined on both ends of the floor, and elevate his teammates to the best of their ability. Kobe relied more on his explosiveness in that first three-peat run with Shaq. Seeing the evolution of his game as he got older was a thing of beauty.
people underrate Kobe's ability to lift up his teammates. Look at his lineup here. As soon as all of the starting 5 left Kobe and the Lakers their career took a major nosedive. Bynum pretty much became irrelevant and retired, Odom same thing, Walton same thing, Ariza's production has been sub par since leaving, and Pau too. Then Fisher and most of the bench are retired or out of the league.
I agree .. the 08-09-10 teams wasnt super talented but they had length with odom-gasol-bynum .. odom played a big role for us in them days .. but kobe was special back then the best player ive watched play basketball since mj
Playing, acting, talking and pushing himself and his teammates like they're not leading by 20. No mercy indeed. Damn. This man isn't supposed to die yet. Damn I miss you so much kobe. Thanks for everything. You are still and will only be my idol. 😣💔💗😭
I remember this time so vivid Kobe was a man on a mission you can tell he gave it his all and more he's leaning over breathing hard during the interviews he was so hungry and we haven't seen a will like this since
Alton Rodgers same. I even remember where I was and who I was with when I watched it. One of my all time favorite games from him. Controlled the game so well, everything looked like slow motion compared to him.
I have watched a lot of Laker games that i almost throw our tv because Lakers is losing, but with his relentless sheer will and tenacity. They overturn a losing game countless times.
Sorry but that's just a shallow and uninformed analysis. All of those teams that I listed had better records than that Denver team. The Hawks were the best team in the East that regular season and they were being coached by Budenholzer who implemented Spurs style basketball after being an assistant coach for them. They had Korver producing historical shooting numbers and they had one of the best defensive players in the league in Millsap. The Pacers were the best defensive team in the league that year as well as having the best record in the East. This season was one Paul George's best and we all know him to be one of the best 2 way players in the league. I also forgot to add the 2013 Pacers to the list of teams that were better than the 09 Nuggets. You might be confusing the 2011 Celtics with the 2012 Celtics because the latter was the worst year for the big 3. The 2011 Celtics were one of the best defensive teams that year. At this point, Pierce, one of the greatest small forwards of all time, was the best player on the team. Don't forget that they still had future HOFer Garnett, Rondo, and Allen giving major production. 2011 Bulls had the best record in the East that season and they were being led by MVP Derrick Rose. While Rose was giving them major offensive production, the Bulls that year were the defensive team in the league with their offensive anchor in Joakim Noah.
i love those that say kobe is selfish. he played this game with a great eye for flow as he picked his spots, to get others involved and then take over when needed. brilliant performance!
yes he was brilliant. he had the Denver defense traumatized with his shooting, which is why @ 8:40 you see Nene bite on that fake like it was his last meal.
Ernesto Hendrix and still shot 45%. The difference between 50% is 10-20 45% is 9-20 all the while shooting mainly jumpers while Lebron is shooting layups.
Daniel Isome yes the difference between 50% and 45% is one field goal for a single game not an entire season. That's a huge difference. Plus are you really gonna fault LeBron for taking much more efficient shots?
Uugghh I miss this team we were so badass! The twin towers, one the enforcer, the rim protector, the other with the silky smooth Euro-style, inside-outside. Fish, the wily veteran, always clutch, hard-nosed. Ariza, the perfect swingman, long and rangy, lockdown defense, crazy athletic. Odom, the freak, 6'10" can legit play all five positions, best 6th man in the league. Phil, the Zen master, the greatest coach in NBA history. The bench, Walton, Brown, Farmar, the Machine, ect...always providing the energy when the starters need a breather. Kobe, the black mamba, one of the greatest to ever play the game, unstoppable, the ultimate closer!
dixonmixin10 no doubt brother . this was my favorite laker team with kobe on it .. but the best was the 01 laker team that only lost 1 game in the playoffs and that wad only because the anwser allen iverson went beast mode
You described that team very well I agree with you fully...I miss that team but the front office for whatever reason tore the team apart one player by one and for no good reason...I will never understand that!
Its a shame new NBA fans will never get to see a player that played the SHOOTING guard position so perfectly. With the way the league is heading now the swingman positions are pretty much going to be filled with 3 and D guys, guys who can space the floor. Its going to be a while before we see a guy like Kobe who can take any shot he wants and everyone in their organization just nods and agrees that these shots give us our best chance of winning. what an absolute animal
Michael Li The game is just getting more mathematical. People are getting smarter. This is more entertaining basketball but teams are figuring out what works without requiring generational talents.
phillyslasher it's about getting the best possible shots. Close to the rim and 3-point shots are by far the best. I don't think it's good basketball to watch, but it's smart basketball.
Connor modern nba is watered down big time.. todays players aren't fundamental like the players from 80-90 and early 00s .. yes theres some great players today forsure but the 80s and 90s truly was the golden era talent wise
Many fans talk about Kobe's back-to-back performances of 48 and 45 in the 2001 postseason (and rightfully so), but this one closing out the Nuggets and his following game of 40 vs the Magic in the Finals is a solid, underrated two-game stretch. #RIPMamba
He was still playing at a extremely high level but it ended when he tore his achilles. Along with that, he's also getting older. But I'm positive if Kobe hadn't tore his achilles, he would've still been at his best even at age 36
He put up an incredible season when he was 34. Averaged 27 he was like the second or third best scorer in that season. If it hadn't been for that Achilles injury he'd still be an elite player
Nate Rivers He should have been MVP that year. Nash, Kobe, Gasol, Artest and Howard started a total of 7 games together that year. Without Kobe, the Lakers would not have won 15 games.
damn i miss these days this nuggets 2009 team was the best team in their history they were no joke and a serious threat to the lakers! After they won game 6 o knew they wouldnt lose another finals again that just opened their mentality alot more
this game made the lakers stronger. back to back champs strong. Them nuggets were playing hella dirty but kobe's leadership helped them get thru the negative energy the nuggets were spewing. That moment with pau gasol was such a beautiful moment they share as brothers.
I honestly do not know how people can watch the 2008-2010 seasons plus playoffs and not realize what theyre witnessing. Ladies and gentlemen, you are witnessing the greatest player in the world of basketball doing what hes been doing his whole career. A straight killer. They dont make em like Kobe anymore. The only other player in modern NBA i feel has almost the same energy as Kobe is Russle Westbrook during his OKC career. Kobe is the greatest player of all time. If youre a true fan of basketball and the NBA, you can easily understand that.
Yooo I just realized that, you are right... because Duncan had a very good team in his prime and lebron was with the heat as his prime came...and Kobe had Parker and brown and Chris mihm lmaoo yoo you are right, that Kobe with this type of team in his prime would have definitely got busy on the league for more than 3 years for sure
I completely agree Had lebron been in the west hed never make it to 8 or 9 straight nba finals or w.e it was Kobe has beat the most 50 win teams A lot of the western conference finals in the last 20 years where the finals in my opinion.
Carmelo Anthony could have gotten ring if it wasn't for Kobe, This Nuggets team was also full of talent they were 2nd seed at this time. And Melo had to just come across Kobe
Look at these amazing assists, he became a complete player when he switched to #24. 27th all time in assists. Amazing all around performance from one of the greatest of all time. Luke Walton was very good in this game as well.
i was never a fan of kobe, but after reading Tim Grover's (kobe, MJ and Dwade's personal trainer) book Relentless, and watching some videos like this of Kobe's raw killer instinct, i really do think Kobe is second of all time only to Jordan.
Jimmy Robinson easily man.. offensively and the will to win thr footwork the ball fakes . Kobe is a top 3 alltime pure scorer easily i remeber kobe scored 50 points like 4 or 5 games in a row and back to back 60 point gamers and he had 9 straight 40 point games in 04
Skill wise Kobe is second to none. Jordan had the skill set and better athletic ability with bigger hands. Also bigger frame. Lebron is obviously bigger but skill wise Kobe’s rival is only Jordan.
they didn't even celebrate that western conference championship, after that loss to the celtics the previous year, they had bigger fish to fry... no disrespect, i got nothing against lbj, but that year he was suppose to see us in the finals. while the lakers were fighting their way back to the finals in that tough western conference, he was getting all the media coverage. i think i speak for most lakers fans, that pissed us off and we were ready to see what all the hype was about. and i know not only did the fans but kobe wanted it to happen.
the 2009 Lakers were a very talented team ariza was playing great I still don't understand why we let him go .. but gasol played great. the 09 Lakers were a very long team kobe bryant was just dominate on BOTH END OF THE FLOOR !!
the cavs were a great regular season team that year, 66 wins, lbj won the MVP, but howard was a bad matchup for him. he couldn't get all his freight train drives to the rim like he was used to with howard's defense, and his game wasn't polished enough to be able to score as reliably from the perimeter. Lebron's perimeter game has always been his weakness. wasn't meant to be
Explain? LeBron has lead in many stat categories since his second season. He's had a major impact in every playoffs since 2006. He has lead his team to the Finals 7 times and the last 6 were consecutive. Just think about that for a second. We've seen LeBron in the Finals since 2011 and we're going to continue to see him there for at least 2 or 3 more seasons. He's lead his team to a championship 3 times. He is a much more willing passer than Kobe. He is much more of a team player than Kobe. His court presence on both sides of the court is much more powerful than Kobe. When LeBron makes a chase down block, it's much more than something on the stat sheet. It has a psychological effect on the opposing team and it is something that Kobe wasn't capable of doing. While Kobe is probably the best "bad shot maker" ever, his overall shot quality was terrible. LeBron's on the other hand is much more efficient making LeBron the better scorer.
Kobe was a surgeon this whole playoffs, but especially this series. Zero weaknesses in his game, and he was a stone cold killer. No letdown whatsoever to close out these Nuggets
Kobe Bryant was the most complete basketball player that I seen play basketball. I'm 38 and I seen Jordan do his thang and win 6 championships and greatest of all time, but this man was definitely the remix and made it better then the original IMO.
Alfredo Pacheco yah I think game four ur talking about that lead ..they went down 3 games to 1...won game five and lost in 6... Four games to two....how is it one game like u said ?
Alfredo Pacheco r u saying if they won that game...the would have won 3 straight games...game six on the road in Boston ? Idk 2010 went seven so idk bout that I'm a laker fan but that was a tuff series and to went 3 straight games idk
Not entirely, he made history with his 81 points. But the chip was all that mattered with kobes mentality. Lakers from 05-08 was all about building a bunch of young nobody's and turning them into players who tasted defeat and LEARNED from it. Adding Pau was also a necessary step.
Kobe was playing in the age where stars did not want to move or get traded as frequently. He got stuck with a below average roster until Pau Gasol trade. Imagine its today NBA where stars change teams every couple years or so. Kobe would win 2-3 more rings with the amount of talent that the Lakers brand can attract.
Who's here for a flash back because Lakers are in WCF 2020 battling Nuggets 11 years later honoring Kobe R.I.P! I never saw this and wanted a flash back! What a AMAZING JAW DROPPING PLAYER!
8:50 pay very attention to this play here in the 4th. Look at JR guarding Kobe. Specifically, look at JR's movements. They are sluggish, they are tired, you can see the exhaustion. Then look at Kobe's movements, and how easy he is able to blow past him for the bucket. Listen to the commentator: "here's my problem, there is no denial of the pass to Kobe". The problem is JR is too tired to put in that extra effort on defense. (And we all know JR's reputation in the league, of being the ultimate party man). Now go back to the Kobe interview after Game 3 of this series. They ask him "How are you able to pull through the exhaustion and deliver for your team when they need you?" Kobe responds "You just gotta push through it. I've been through this feeling before, in the summer during my sprints, you just gotta push through". This is what absolute dedication and training will do for you in your life and career.
Kobe wasn't human frfr , number 1 all time in my book , glad I had the opportunity to witness him ❤ definitely out of this world , you will be missed brah brah .
he demolished evry team in the west and yet those team's are better than any team in the east..very competitor man..have his pride and honor with him in evry battle..so much respect for you kobe..you will be forever in our heart..thankyou kobe for giving us inspiration not only in the name of basketball but in the reality of life..rip idol
People give Luke Walton grief. Although he wasn't very athletic, he had a very high basketball IQ, was an excellent passer, and could hit the 3 point shot. I can easily see him be an excellent coach.
People give Luke Walton grief. Although he wasn't very athletic, he had a very high basketball IQ, was an excellent passer, and could hit the 3 point shot. I can easily see him be an excellent coach.
+kemarion aleem Well, I root for players in the NBA, but with that comes appreciating the other players on the team. I thought Luke was an awesome teammate.
The one time Kobe got an above average team post shaq, he went to 3 straight finals. I can agree the 2011 to 2013 season weren't good for the lakers but he still dominated statistically so it's debatable to say he declined. Lebron Durant and co were the new faces of the NBA, I mean Kobe knocked out OKC in 2010 and lost to them 2 years later so yh. Point is this, Lebron's stats are somewhat misleading and here's why Lebron is a walking stat machine because it's his natural game. Lebron will average a triple-double in a blow out against his team. Kobe and other Nba chip winners won titles on 25ppg to 27ppg with 6+ rebs and 5 assists. Lebron would average 35.11.11 and lose, how does that happen? Every NBA superstar gets double/triple teamed, thereby leaving an open man for the shot. The difference between Kobe /MJ AND Lebron is that they welcome that challenge, lebron on the other hand would rather pass to the open man. This does not translate to higher IQ or whatever, it's simply his game, and it also does not mean he is a better passer than mj and kobe. He is a willing passer of the ball. You might say you'd rather have your team mates involved, which is perfectly fine but this is basketball, the game was built and popularised through individual brilliance, which consequently intimidates opponents and this is why Lebron is 3-7. He's the only superstar/nba great that is dared to shoot, cherry picks his team mates, not a closer, jumped ships twice and calls himself the best in the world. he's still a beast.
sambafootball123 remember all the haters use to say he couldnt win without shaq then he went to 3 straight finals winning 2 .. we should've won 3 in a row if gasol would've played tougher in the 08 finals but dont forget that 08.celtics team was so fucking good .
lebron needs hall of famers or all stars on his team to win. Kobe had shaq and gasol and then a bunch of supporting players. Also if Lebron was in the western conference things might be different.
@TheBestFighter there's always the word if, if LeBron didn't need to go to the great Dwyane Wade, he'd only have one championship, but he didn't, and he needed the great Dwyane Wade to win two championships, cuz he couldn't do it, I see no greatness in LeBron James, just desperate to win championships, and desperate to show he's better, but needed to go to another team to win championships, now maybe if he stayed in Cleveland, but he needed help from the great Dwyane Wade
After Shaq left and before the Lakers made that phenomenal deal for Gasol what happened? 2005 Lakers miss the playoffs. 2006 bounced in the first round. 2007 bounced in the first round. LBJ is vastly superior at carrying weak teams nobody with a brain would debate that. Kobe never took a weak team out the first round and LBJ has taken multiple weak rosters to the finals. Also you said Kobe had Shaq and Gasol like those are not HOF players in their prime hahahahahaha. Shaq was the best center of all time in his prime LBJ has never had a teammate as dominant as Prime Shaq. Kobe was the 2nd best player on his team for his first 3 rings. Also prime Gasol was an excellent player no doubt about that. Only times LBJ has had a player as good as prime Gasol is pre knee injury Wade and AD right now. So Wade hurt his knee early in the playoffs in 2012 and played hurt the rest of that chip run and was never quite the same after that. So LBJ only had prime Wade for one playoffs in 2011. Also LBJ has only played with AD for one playoffs so far also. Kobe had prime Shaq for 8 years! Kobe had prime Gasol for 6 years before his achillies injury. You are trying to make the case that LBJ has had more help than Kobe hahahahahaha its not even close. Kobe is obviously phenomenal and the 2nd best shooting guard of all time but come on man try and be rational. Also LBJ been the West 2 years first year he was hurt and 2nd year he won a chip. Kobe is great nobody with a brain would contest that fact. Its also a fact that Kobe has no case for being better than Lebron if you are objective and hold them to the same standards.
Man I miss these Lakers so much when I first started watching them was January or February of 09 the year they won against Orlando I was 9 yrs old and just moved in to LA. Now I'm 16 7 yrs deep in this city hoping my Lakers can at least hit the playoffs after the worst season in their franchise history. I miss these days yo :(
this denver team was really good. I stand by this statement, if kobe's lakers didn't stop them they were winning the championship. Kobe did great to shut them down.
People sleep on how good this nuggets team was. The same team that beat cp3's Hornets 121-63 in the playoffs that year. Beat the hornets 4-1 then beat dirk's mavs 4-1. The magic were also underrated. came back from down 3-2 to eliminate the celtics, then beat lebron's 66-win cavs. This is another reason why kobe's playoff runs are underrated. Went through a historically tough conference. Despite having the 1 seed every year, he still had to beat 50 win teams in the first round. Only non 50-win team he faced was 2009 jazz that won 48 games. He did this all with only 1 all star. Kobe knew how to get the best out of his teammates and actually make them better But now we have nick wright and shannon Sharpe trying to convince us that beating teams led by oladipo derozan and Horford, while having another all star on your team, is the greatest accomplishment ever
i watch kobe because i love kobe, he is an angel who i love therefore his spirit and energy loves me back. nothing more nothing less if you think i watch for any other reason than the sweet memory and the love of the game you think to highly of yourself.
That 2008-09 Laker team used to piss me off at times, because when they wanted to be, they were such a great team. But they would play down to there level of competition. They won 65 games that year but I feel like they could have won at least 70. This game was the best team performance they played that entire season and one of the best playoff performances I've ever seen from a championship team. They virtually dominated from start to finish.
As I sit here n tear up I use to remember this RUclips channel n always says maaan whoever this is gets the best clips, soundbites etc. of these Kobe highlights....this video in particular shows you the entire KOBE BEAN BRYANT the basketball player...from skill, will, determination, n what a lot off ppl try to play him about LEADERSHIP....thank you whomever this is for ALL your Kobe Bryant highlight videos....but this one as I said is really hitting me differently.....KOBE BEAN BRYANT your LEGACY will NEVER die n we ALL thank you for EVERYTHING on n off the court....R.I.P. to the man, the myth, the LEGEND...R.I.P. to Gianna who I truly believe would have been the GOAT for WNBA....R.I.P. to ALL other victims n families involved 🙏🏾😇 #justMYthoughts #RIPKobe #BlackMamba #8n24 #PurplenGold #WeBACK #MambaOUT
Kobe was using JR n Dauntay Jones like toilet tissue Mamba is the best ever to me now love n appreciate ur game KOBE frfr 100 #GOATRIPMambaNGigi 4real ......
see kobe break this game down in kobe detail episode 1. its brilliant how he puts players in positions to make the rotations all awkward for the nuggets. u can get the commentators to say hey u gotta stay on ur man, but the way of how kobe positioned his guys & got his guys to cut makes it a whole new story.
We can see that the lane was so crowded back then. Sometimes only 1 player outside 3 point line. If kobe played in today's era space & pace, there would've been more crazy highlights of him
Kobe could make some really tough shots. His ability to put the ball in the basket even with bodies in his face is just something only a few guys in the league have at any one time
Specifically to this game, how Kobe close the first half is one of my favorite sequences ever: - attacking the hoop as the shot clock runs out - relocates to the corner after both Lamar and Pau tip the miss - buries the triple to extend the lead from 10 to 13 to end the first half - sprints all the way back to defend as 4.1 seconds remain (plenty of time to run the length of the court for a layup) - blocks Carmelo's layup attempt. This is the relentless nature that we as fans appreciate about Kobe. He never took a game, let alone a possession off. #MambaMentality #RIPKobe
The 2008-2010 playoff performances from Kobe is what made me come to conclusion that Kobe is the best and most skilled player ever. Jordan might be the GOAT when it comes to accolades and achievements but when it comes to pure skills and will Kobe is the one.
Mr. Pop Culture facts 💯
Kobe overcame all the hate and discrediting to win 2 titles in a row, so close to a 3 peat. Kobe lost out on a 3 peat because of the original big 3, and still came back 2 years later and beat them. The black mamba will never be replicated
Crazy To Think If The Celtics Big 3 Never Joined He Would’ve Won 3 In A Row 😭
Tino44954: I have a saying that I only reserve for the best of the best. It goes like this: “Sometimes, the other guy is just better than you”. That was Kobe Bryant. RIP Kobe 🙏
R.I.P. Kobe. You’ll forever be missed.
I miss u Kobe Bryant aka Blackmamba #24 #8 thank u for the greatest memories 💛💜💛💜💛👅🙏👍
Kobe Doing Work #Mamba💛💜💛💜💛💍💍💍💍💍
Was not expecting to see this comment. Doesn’t feel real still..
O la m no look ml l lo lo lo lo lo lo look on los lo lo lo m lo lo lo lo lo lo lo lo o lo lo lo los por o lo lo lo lo los o lo 9 lo 9 lo m los m los o lo los los m lo los lo ml99m los m lo m lo lo m lo m los por pm los opositores m lo lo mmo
@@jessicalovelyamor2583 ll
The only player in NBA history to sweep a 50 Win 8th seed team an in 3 different playoff runs he had to go thru an entire conference of 50+wins. All three time's he did that they won a Championship. We really under estimated his GREATNESS RIP King Kobe we will forever miss you!💪🏿🏀💛💜
The media beat his name to the floor, and all I can think off is that rape case he had, if that never came to light realistically he would of had more hardware like mvps and rings but that damn case always followed him and media always reminded people that kobe was always the villain, sucks kobe died a hero at the end kobe was able to win over the fans that hated him because of the media well almost.
yup but Lebron on his level... lol smh
@@TheForkOnTheLeftist stat wise bron is ahead from all players but the way they played the game..kobe and mj is just built different
@@emmanueledano5194 I'm of the belief that stats mean little to nothing if they're not leading to winning. It irks me when people say Lebron is "making the right play". Maybe the wrong play is what he should have made lol
And we never mention that he only played against 1 bad defense in the Western playoffs his whole career.(2010 Phoenix suns wcf)
He played a near perfect game. Not just about the stats. But the way he played in the flow of the offense, getting his teammates involved, and being patient. Wasn't forcing the issue either. Also played great defense. He dominated. Favorite Kobe game.
jmaal2345 gotta admit this is one of his best performances ever from how dominant he was on both ends and the great leadership, truly great
Facts
@Tom Ross TV best game first finals when shaq fouled out n a 21 year old Kobe literally took over the game n got the w
Kobe himself at his 2009 camp said this was the best overall game he had ever played up to that point. ruclips.net/video/k02Chgv9lGY/видео.html
Big check it's all about winning
Kobe should've won MVP that year. The Lakers were 2-0 against the Cavs and they only lost one less game then them while playing in a tougher Western conference.
Nah LeBron, Wade, Brandon Roy, and CP3 had better seasons than him
+Ernesto Hendrix that year the Lakers had the second best record in the league just one game behind the cavs. every other player you mentioned played on a team with a worse record. it was really either lebron or Kobe
micklemore That's because he was on a much better team. None of those other players had a #2 as good as Gasol on their team. CP3 and LeBron truly carried their teams that season.
Exactly. Hence "most valuable player" not "best team". Tbh Kobe was still a solid candidate since the lakers would not have won without him, but I would make the argument that the cavs would not even had made the playoffs without lebron. He was the team, sadly. Kobe had a team that wasn't full of stars, but had REALLY good chemistry that year (and the next year too).
this argument is flawed because going by your logic, Melo should win an MVP in 2012 and Durant in 2013 i think, and not Lebron. Personally, i feel there was no point awarding Lberon 2 MVP titles while he played with the Heat. He had 2 all star team mates/franchise players in Bosh and Wade so idg. 08-2010 should've been won by Kobe because the Lakers would have gone nowhere without him. Same could be said for Lebron but ill ask you this, who was the better player in those years? Kobe.
Lebron proved he wasnt good enough and that's why he didnt make the finals and he jumped ship in 2010.
Lebron was the face of the new NBA, given the rise of social media and all that.
and kobe never had a team as stacked as lebron's miami teams, and MJ's 6-0 Bulls.
And to Everyone who says Lebron is better than Kobe and could be compared to JORDAN, Do Kobe and Mj lose to Dallas and Spurs given Lebron's MiaMI teams? understand i did not mention the 2007 finals and 2015 cuz he had no help.
My opinion
The most overlooked part of Kobe, Free Throws.
He shot 95% in the entire 2009 playoffs🎉
15/17 game 3 and 92% by game 6. Kobe was cold 🥶
Not as lethal as Shaq's😂
The difference between stat padding and trying to win.
Exactly
👍Stats don't tell the whole story
Ahem Harden and Westbrook
@@juliusulit1141 LeBron yeeoo
Seriously the games not the same anymore. They act like they’re playing 2k or something
The main difference I see here, compared to Kobe's first championship run, is that he's using his basketball IQ more, being able to break down the defense, stay disciplined on both ends of the floor, and elevate his teammates to the best of their ability. Kobe relied more on his explosiveness in that first three-peat run with Shaq. Seeing the evolution of his game as he got older was a thing of beauty.
He was like 21 at that time he was in his early 30s here
I’m a Nuggets fan, but I’m crying today RIP Kobe Bryant
people underrate Kobe's ability to lift up his teammates. Look at his lineup here. As soon as all of the starting 5 left Kobe and the Lakers their career took a major nosedive. Bynum pretty much became irrelevant and retired, Odom same thing, Walton same thing, Ariza's production has been sub par since leaving, and Pau too. Then Fisher and most of the bench are retired or out of the league.
Jordan Muscle&Strength Lebron needs 2 more superstars just to get a ring. Kobe just need some role players.
I agree .. the 08-09-10 teams wasnt super talented but they had length with odom-gasol-bynum .. odom played a big role for us in them days .. but kobe was special back then the best player ive watched play basketball since mj
Absolutely
+Joseph Uriah-Ben Israel. Very true.
Good point that their careers dwindled after they left kobe
Playing, acting, talking and pushing himself and his teammates like they're not leading by 20. No mercy indeed. Damn. This man isn't supposed to die yet. Damn I miss you so much kobe. Thanks for everything. You are still and will only be my idol. 😣💔💗😭
I remember this time so vivid Kobe was a man on a mission you can tell he gave it his all and more he's leaning over breathing hard during the interviews he was so hungry and we haven't seen a will like this since
Alton Rodgers same. I even remember where I was and who I was with when I watched it. One of my all time favorite games from him. Controlled the game so well, everything looked like slow motion compared to him.
Kobe average 34 6&6 on 48%fg 93%ft 36%from 3 also played great defense on Chauncey Billups held him to 39 %fg
2009 was a GREAT YEAR to be a Laker fan, KOBE was steamrolling THE ENTIRE LEAGUE!!!
And 2010 in a unexpected dramatic fashion 😅
Give me this kobe over prime lebron all day.
Umang Mehta damn right
The killer instinct mentality and leadership....what stats can't really show.
But this stat puts Kobe over LeBron. 5-2 versus 3-6
@@TheMrKobeBryant2012 true💯
Avril Lavigne luckily Kobe didn’t have to face the greatest team ever assembled (warriors) 🚶♂️
Don't these away crowds ever learn? Booing Kobe just makes him stronger and more determined to whoop your team's ass!
Orange Wood all you can do it sit back and enjoy
If Kobe was playing in 2021 with no crowd, a quiet gym where he can talk trash a really focus. That’s kinda scary to think about
We always had a chance to win because of Kobe. The man was on a mission his whole career!
I have watched a lot of Laker games that i almost throw our tv because Lakers is losing, but with his relentless sheer will and tenacity. They overturn a losing game countless times.
This Denver team is better than every East team Lebron has beaten in the playoffs the past 6 years
Nope 2015 Hawks, 2016 Raptors, 2014 Pacers, 2011 Celtics, and 2011 Bulls were all better than this Denver team
only the Celtics were better and that was the worse year of the Celtics big 3 team.
idiot..team Denver in at west conference.. not in East.. fucking brain do you have
Sorry but that's just a shallow and uninformed analysis. All of those teams that I listed had better records than that Denver team. The Hawks were the best team in the East that regular season and they were being coached by Budenholzer who implemented Spurs style basketball after being an assistant coach for them. They had Korver producing historical shooting numbers and they had one of the best defensive players in the league in Millsap. The Pacers were the best defensive team in the league that year as well as having the best record in the East. This season was one Paul George's best and we all know him to be one of the best 2 way players in the league. I also forgot to add the 2013 Pacers to the list of teams that were better than the 09 Nuggets. You might be confusing the 2011 Celtics with the 2012 Celtics because the latter was the worst year for the big 3. The 2011 Celtics were one of the best defensive teams that year. At this point, Pierce, one of the greatest small forwards of all time, was the best player on the team. Don't forget that they still had future HOFer Garnett, Rondo, and Allen giving major production. 2011 Bulls had the best record in the East that season and they were being led by MVP Derrick Rose. While Rose was giving them major offensive production, the Bulls that year were the defensive team in the league with their offensive anchor in Joakim Noah.
+Jerome Tamalla What are you talking about?
i love those that say kobe is selfish. he played this game with a great eye for flow as he picked his spots, to get others involved and then take over when needed. brilliant performance!
He didn't always pick his spots. There were many times that he did an 8 dribble iso that led to a contested jumper
yes he was brilliant. he had the Denver defense traumatized with his shooting, which is why @ 8:40 you see Nene bite on that fake like it was his last meal.
Ernesto Hendrix and still shot 45%. The difference between 50% is 10-20 45% is 9-20 all the while shooting mainly jumpers while Lebron is shooting layups.
Daniel Isome yes the difference between 50% and 45% is one field goal for a single game not an entire season. That's a huge difference. Plus are you really gonna fault LeBron for taking much more efficient shots?
Daniel Isome In 2006 he would've needed to make about 109 more shots than he did to shoot 50%
Uugghh I miss this team we were so badass!
The twin towers, one the enforcer, the rim protector, the other with the silky smooth Euro-style, inside-outside.
Fish, the wily veteran, always clutch, hard-nosed.
Ariza, the perfect swingman, long and rangy, lockdown defense, crazy athletic.
Odom, the freak, 6'10" can legit play all five positions, best 6th man in the league.
Phil, the Zen master, the greatest coach in NBA history.
The bench, Walton, Brown, Farmar, the Machine, ect...always providing the energy when the starters need a breather.
Kobe, the black mamba, one of the greatest to ever play the game, unstoppable, the ultimate closer!
well fucking said!!!! 😭
dixonmixin10 no doubt brother . this was my favorite laker team with kobe on it .. but the best was the 01 laker team that only lost 1 game in the playoffs and that wad only because the anwser allen iverson went beast mode
You described that team very well I agree with you fully...I miss that team but the front office for whatever reason tore the team apart one player by one and for no good reason...I will never understand that!
As a lakers fan that started watching in 2008 this made me cry 😭😭
The great bailout
Kobe was just too much man I really miss watching this dude play i love Jordan and lebron but Kobe was my guy man rip legend !!
I missed watching the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Kobe Bryant was on a different level ! That run was the best
2006-2013 kobe was prime kobe
Its a shame new NBA fans will never get to see a player that played the SHOOTING guard position so perfectly. With the way the league is heading now the swingman positions are pretty much going to be filled with 3 and D guys, guys who can space the floor. Its going to be a while before we see a guy like Kobe who can take any shot he wants and everyone in their organization just nods and agrees that these shots give us our best chance of winning. what an absolute animal
Michael Li The game is just getting more mathematical. People are getting smarter. This is more entertaining basketball but teams are figuring out what works without requiring generational talents.
phillyslasher it's about getting the best possible shots. Close to the rim and 3-point shots are by far the best. I don't think it's good basketball to watch, but it's smart basketball.
Michael Li Demar Derozan and Kawhi play like Kobe
Connor modern nba is watered down big time.. todays players aren't fundamental like the players from 80-90 and early 00s .. yes theres some great players today forsure but the 80s and 90s truly was the golden era talent wise
Many fans talk about Kobe's back-to-back performances of 48 and 45 in the 2001 postseason (and rightfully so), but this one closing out the Nuggets and his following game of 40 vs the Magic in the Finals is a solid, underrated two-game stretch. #RIPMamba
MJ and Kobe were just flat out relentless.
His style of play is just flowless and it makes u Wana go hoop... Rip black mmba
I wish Kobe could still play like this! Sad to see my favourite player "fading" away :(
LaMidrange Aldridge he probably could've if that achilles never tore :(:(:(
He was still playing at a extremely high level but it ended when he tore his achilles. Along with that, he's also getting older. But I'm positive if Kobe hadn't tore his achilles, he would've still been at his best even at age 36
Ken the Gamer Definitely. That fucking achilles ruined everything. He'd easily be putting up 25/5/5 until he retired in his 40s.
He put up an incredible season when he was 34. Averaged 27 he was like the second or third best scorer in that season.
If it hadn't been for that Achilles injury he'd still be an elite player
Nate Rivers He should have been MVP that year. Nash, Kobe, Gasol, Artest and Howard started a total of 7 games together that year. Without Kobe, the Lakers would not have won 15 games.
Kobe and Luke Walton combined to score 45 this game. Amazing.
Nikson Kho You should've seen them go for 81 pts vs the Raptors.
Nikson Kho Luke just got his 3rd ring as an assistant with the Warriors.
+Daniel Kelegian And got his other 2 with the Lakers :)
Stefano Teodoro lol 😂
😅😅 who?
Best player of all time no accolades or bs just straight killer hooper
damn i miss these days this nuggets 2009 team was the best team in their history they were no joke and a serious threat to the lakers! After they won game 6 o knew they wouldnt lose another finals again that just opened their mentality alot more
+Landon chong the nuggets and great teams like the suns would definitely win a few championships if kobe wasnt in the league
This game and that game 6 in Phoenix the following year was Kobe at his absolute best!
damn good times.
I miss these Lakers man.
Damn man. Kobe 😭
this game made the lakers stronger. back to back champs strong. Them nuggets were playing hella dirty but kobe's leadership helped them get thru the negative energy the nuggets were spewing. That moment with pau gasol was such a beautiful moment they share as brothers.
Three clutch shots then swats Carmelo to end the half like nothing
Brad Pitt Leonard learned from Kobe in terms of dedication and focus.
That's kobe for you
THIS IS WAY HE GOT FIVE RINGS CLUTH!!!
And now the Nuggets are up 3-0 vs Lakers in WCF. Time flies. Missed Kobe
KOBE has blocked sooooooooooo many shots with his left hand
lol @ KOBE had Luke Walton looking like an All Star
Kobe bean is the best player the game has ever seen but no one wants to admit the drive he had the guy was a 1 of 1
I honestly do not know how people can watch the 2008-2010 seasons plus playoffs and not realize what theyre witnessing. Ladies and gentlemen, you are witnessing the greatest player in the world of basketball doing what hes been doing his whole career. A straight killer. They dont make em like Kobe anymore. The only other player in modern NBA i feel has almost the same energy as Kobe is Russle Westbrook during his OKC career. Kobe is the greatest player of all time. If youre a true fan of basketball and the NBA, you can easily understand that.
If Kobe in his prime had the same help as Duncan or Lebron had he would've had at least 8 rings and 11 finals appearances.
Yooo I just realized that, you are right... because Duncan had a very good team in his prime and lebron was with the heat as his prime came...and Kobe had Parker and brown and Chris mihm lmaoo yoo you are right, that Kobe with this type of team in his prime would have definitely got busy on the league for more than 3 years for sure
2009 Playoffs were my 2nd favorite behind 2001.
Spectacular Performance To Add To The Long List Of Many! Kobe U The Man Two Hundit Grand Such A Pleasure To Watch Go To Work🏀💪💪💯
Rest In Peace Kobe. Lakers Nation will always love you
LeBron has had really no challenges in last few years, nothing like the western conference where it's real competition
I completely agree
Had lebron been in the west hed never make it to 8 or 9 straight nba finals or w.e it was
Kobe has beat the most 50 win teams
A lot of the western conference finals in the last 20 years where the finals in my opinion.
@@chrissporty9872 ok, so if the WCF was the Finals how do you quantify an EC team winning the ring? There goes your trash logic.
@@Industrious420 stfu bitch
@@SP-kt5ot you're an amoeba. Stop wasting my oxygen.
Love your highlight package. You capture the pulse of the entire game, showing both possessions and not just Kobe scoring. Excellent!
Kobe so dominant and in control
The GOAT
+xxplosive GOAT
+xxplosive def top 5 forsure man . kobe from 07-11 was a BEAST !
+xxplosive top 4 to me
Maybe top 10 but definitely not the GOAT
MJ is the goat, but after that...Kobe, Kareem, Duncan, Magic, Shaq, etc., they all gotta fight it out
Carmelo Anthony could have gotten ring if it wasn't for Kobe, This Nuggets team was also full of talent they were 2nd seed at this time. And Melo had to just come across Kobe
Damn when he’s talking to his team and he’s telling them that they have to play desperation basketball that’s just a mind of a master of the arts..
Look at these amazing assists, he became a complete player when he switched to #24. 27th all time in assists.
Amazing all around performance from one of the greatest of all time. Luke Walton was very good in this game as well.
This game was just pure domination from the Lakers
i was never a fan of kobe, but after reading Tim Grover's (kobe, MJ and Dwade's personal trainer) book Relentless, and watching some videos like this of Kobe's raw killer instinct, i really do think Kobe is second of all time only to Jordan.
Jimmy Robinson easily man.. offensively and the will to win thr footwork the ball fakes . Kobe is a top 3 alltime pure scorer easily i remeber kobe scored 50 points like 4 or 5 games in a row and back to back 60 point gamers and he had 9 straight 40 point games in 04
Skill wise Kobe is second to none. Jordan had the skill set and better athletic ability with bigger hands. Also bigger frame. Lebron is obviously bigger but skill wise Kobe’s rival is only Jordan.
No he’s not 2nd
they didn't even celebrate that western conference championship, after that loss to the celtics the previous year, they had bigger fish to fry... no disrespect, i got nothing against lbj, but that year he was suppose to see us in the finals. while the lakers were fighting their way back to the finals in that tough western conference, he was getting all the media coverage. i think i speak for most lakers fans, that pissed us off and we were ready to see what all the hype was about. and i know not only did the fans but kobe wanted it to happen.
the 2009 Lakers were a very talented team ariza was playing great I still don't understand why we let him go .. but gasol played great. the 09 Lakers were a very long team kobe bryant was just dominate on BOTH END OF THE FLOOR !!
i agree... i really want the cavs that year bcos i think KOBE DESERVES the MVP on that year..
the cavs were a great regular season team that year, 66 wins, lbj won the MVP, but howard was a bad matchup for him. he couldn't get all his freight train drives to the rim like he was used to with howard's defense, and his game wasn't polished enough to be able to score as reliably from the perimeter. Lebron's perimeter game has always been his weakness. wasn't meant to be
The whole world wanted it.
Nobody was beating kobe in the 09 finals thats a fact ... nobody in todays nba have the tools and midrange kobe had
Lebron not better than this man
No way in hell LeBron's better than him.
+mjj 0062 hehe no
Explain? LeBron has lead in many stat categories since his second season. He's had a major impact in every playoffs since 2006. He has lead his team to the Finals 7 times and the last 6 were consecutive. Just think about that for a second. We've seen LeBron in the Finals since 2011 and we're going to continue to see him there for at least 2 or 3 more seasons. He's lead his team to a championship 3 times. He is a much more willing passer than Kobe. He is much more of a team player than Kobe. His court presence on both sides of the court is much more powerful than Kobe. When LeBron makes a chase down block, it's much more than something on the stat sheet. It has a psychological effect on the opposing team and it is something that Kobe wasn't capable of doing. While Kobe is probably the best "bad shot maker" ever, his overall shot quality was terrible. LeBron's on the other hand is much more efficient making LeBron the better scorer.
+Ernesto Hendrix nobody reading all that
Kobe was a surgeon this whole playoffs, but especially this series. Zero weaknesses in his game, and he was a stone cold killer. No letdown whatsoever to close out these Nuggets
Kobe Bryant was the most complete basketball player that I seen play basketball. I'm 38 and I seen Jordan do his thang and win 6 championships and greatest of all time, but this man was definitely the remix and made it better then the original IMO.
Dam i did not realize this but.. Kobe was the next best thing to jordan. He was 1 game away frrom winning another 3 peat.
2 games away lol 08 was 4-2 bos=(
Kimberly Jacinto yea thats what i meant :D
+Kimberly Jacinto actually one game but they let a 20 point go. I believe if they would of won that game they would of had a 3 peat.
Alfredo Pacheco yah I think game four ur talking about that lead ..they went down 3 games to 1...won game five and lost in 6...
Four games to two....how is it one game like u said ?
Alfredo Pacheco r u saying if they won that game...the would have won 3 straight games...game six on the road in Boston ? Idk 2010 went seven so idk bout that I'm a laker fan but that was a tuff series and to went 3 straight games idk
Sittin at home, watching some old Lakers and Kobe moments. How can life get better
Kobe the reason Melo don’t have a ring, this nuggets team was fucking tough but 09 Kobe was more hungry than everybody else!
He was pissed abt the 2008 finals lol he took that personal😬 got his revenge back in 2010🙌💯
Ariza really is an underrated player guys, sufficient off skills and amazing D all the way til the end of his career
Imagine if he already had a team like this when he changed his number to 24 from the start
True prime Kobe years were wasted though
Not entirely, he made history with his 81 points. But the chip was all that mattered with kobes mentality. Lakers from 05-08 was all about building a bunch of young nobody's and turning them into players who tasted defeat and LEARNED from it. Adding Pau was also a necessary step.
Kobe was playing in the age where stars did not want to move or get traded as frequently. He got stuck with a below average roster until Pau Gasol trade. Imagine its today NBA where stars change teams every couple years or so. Kobe would win 2-3 more rings with the amount of talent that the Lakers brand can attract.
@@gregoryaguon1925 facts
Who's here for a flash back because Lakers are in WCF 2020 battling Nuggets 11 years later honoring Kobe R.I.P! I never saw this and wanted a flash back! What a AMAZING JAW DROPPING PLAYER!
Meeeee
I forgot that iconic zoom into Kobe’s smile/smirk meme is from this series and it hit me like a bag of bricks seeing it 😭
@ 7:38 one of the reasons Chauncey said Kobe is the most skilled player he's ever seen 👏
8:50 pay very attention to this play here in the 4th. Look at JR guarding Kobe. Specifically, look at JR's movements. They are sluggish, they are tired, you can see the exhaustion. Then look at Kobe's movements, and how easy he is able to blow past him for the bucket. Listen to the commentator: "here's my problem, there is no denial of the pass to Kobe". The problem is JR is too tired to put in that extra effort on defense. (And we all know JR's reputation in the league, of being the ultimate party man). Now go back to the Kobe interview after Game 3 of this series. They ask him "How are you able to pull through the exhaustion and deliver for your team when they need you?" Kobe responds "You just gotta push through it. I've been through this feeling before, in the summer during my sprints, you just gotta push through". This is what absolute dedication and training will do for you in your life and career.
Kobe wasn't human frfr , number 1 all time in my book , glad I had the opportunity to witness him ❤ definitely out of this world , you will be missed brah brah .
Damn. I miss those year, Those teams. All are the best competitors ass hell. Now! It's rare to see the competitors like this.
Damm kobe u are supperrr amazing man no other man like u as a player. .I really amazed..
This is how you lead your team.
better than lechoke sitting alone on the edge of the bench hahaha
he demolished evry team in the west and yet those team's are better than any team in the east..very competitor man..have his pride and honor with him in evry battle..so much respect for you kobe..you will be forever in our heart..thankyou kobe for giving us inspiration not only in the name of basketball but in the reality of life..rip idol
Luke Walton > Wesley Johnson
People give Luke Walton grief. Although he wasn't very athletic, he had a very high basketball IQ, was an excellent passer, and could hit the 3 point shot. I can easily see him be an excellent coach.
People give Luke Walton grief. Although he wasn't very athletic, he had a very high basketball IQ, was an excellent passer, and could hit the 3 point shot. I can easily see him be an excellent coach.
+Jamal Abdelbaset Only real Laker fans appreciate Luke
+kemarion aleem Well, I root for players in the NBA, but with that comes appreciating the other players on the team. I thought Luke was an awesome teammate.
Wesley who?
Kobe is, of course, the second best sg of all time. Still, he is arguably in the top ten of all pgs, when he played that position
The one time Kobe got an above average team post shaq, he went to 3 straight finals.
I can agree the 2011 to 2013 season weren't good for the lakers but he still dominated statistically so it's debatable to say he declined.
Lebron Durant and co were the new faces of the NBA, I mean Kobe knocked out OKC in 2010 and lost to them 2 years later so yh.
Point is this, Lebron's stats are somewhat misleading and here's why
Lebron is a walking stat machine because it's his natural game. Lebron will average a triple-double in a blow out against his team.
Kobe and other Nba chip winners won titles on 25ppg to 27ppg with 6+ rebs and 5 assists. Lebron would average 35.11.11 and lose, how does that happen?
Every NBA superstar gets double/triple teamed, thereby leaving an open man for the shot.
The difference between Kobe /MJ AND Lebron is that they welcome that challenge, lebron on the other hand would rather pass to the open man.
This does not translate to higher IQ or whatever, it's simply his game, and it also does not mean he is a better passer than mj and kobe. He is a willing passer of the ball.
You might say you'd rather have your team mates involved, which is perfectly fine but this is basketball, the game was built and popularised through individual brilliance, which consequently intimidates opponents and this is why Lebron is 3-7.
He's the only superstar/nba great that is dared to shoot, cherry picks his team mates, not a closer, jumped ships twice and calls himself the best in the world.
he's still a beast.
sambafootball123 facts
sambafootball123 lls damn kinda true always said kobe is better then lebron but lebron is more dominant all around u speakin facts
sambafootball123 remember all the haters use to say he couldnt win without shaq then he went to 3 straight finals winning 2 .. we should've won 3 in a row if gasol would've played tougher in the 08 finals but dont forget that 08.celtics team was so fucking good .
2 years later but well said!
That’s not why bron is 3-7
God I miss this guy. This year has been terrible ever since that tragic event. Forever missed and forever in our hearts. #Mambaout
"if a guys guarding me and he got his hands down ima shoot it"
35 points on 12/20 shooting. GOAT.
What the lakers needed today
The leader that Kobe was is unbelievable. Such a General!!!
lebron needs hall of famers or all stars on his team to win. Kobe had shaq and gasol and then a bunch of supporting players. Also if Lebron was in the western conference things might be different.
@TheBestFighter there's always the word if, if LeBron didn't need to go to the great Dwyane Wade, he'd only have one championship, but he didn't, and he needed the great Dwyane Wade to win two championships, cuz he couldn't do it, I see no greatness in LeBron James, just desperate to win championships, and desperate to show he's better, but needed to go to another team to win championships, now maybe if he stayed in Cleveland, but he needed help from the great Dwyane Wade
After Shaq left and before the Lakers made that phenomenal deal for Gasol what happened? 2005 Lakers miss the playoffs. 2006 bounced in the first round. 2007 bounced in the first round. LBJ is vastly superior at carrying weak teams nobody with a brain would debate that. Kobe never took a weak team out the first round and LBJ has taken multiple weak rosters to the finals. Also you said Kobe had Shaq and Gasol like those are not HOF players in their prime hahahahahaha. Shaq was the best center of all time in his prime LBJ has never had a teammate as dominant as Prime Shaq. Kobe was the 2nd best player on his team for his first 3 rings. Also prime Gasol was an excellent player no doubt about that. Only times LBJ has had a player as good as prime Gasol is pre knee injury Wade and AD right now. So Wade hurt his knee early in the playoffs in 2012 and played hurt the rest of that chip run and was never quite the same after that. So LBJ only had prime Wade for one playoffs in 2011. Also LBJ has only played with AD for one playoffs so far also. Kobe had prime Shaq for 8 years! Kobe had prime Gasol for 6 years before his achillies injury. You are trying to make the case that LBJ has had more help than Kobe hahahahahaha its not even close. Kobe is obviously phenomenal and the 2nd best shooting guard of all time but come on man try and be rational. Also LBJ been the West 2 years first year he was hurt and 2nd year he won a chip. Kobe is great nobody with a brain would contest that fact. Its also a fact that Kobe has no case for being better than Lebron if you are objective and hold them to the same standards.
Man I miss these Lakers so much when I first started watching them was January or February of 09 the year they won against Orlando I was 9 yrs old and just moved in to LA. Now I'm 16 7 yrs deep in this city hoping my Lakers can at least hit the playoffs after the worst season in their franchise history. I miss these days yo :(
this denver team was really good. I stand by this statement, if kobe's lakers didn't stop them they were winning the championship. Kobe did great to shut them down.
Koby Bryant is very humble person
Back when the NBA didn’t suck
R.I.P. My favorite Player and the NBA team LAKERS.🦾
People sleep on how good this nuggets team was. The same team that beat cp3's Hornets 121-63 in the playoffs that year. Beat the hornets 4-1 then beat dirk's mavs 4-1.
The magic were also underrated. came back from down 3-2 to eliminate the celtics, then beat lebron's 66-win cavs.
This is another reason why kobe's playoff runs are underrated. Went through a historically tough conference.
Despite having the 1 seed every year, he still had to beat 50 win teams in the first round. Only non 50-win team he faced was 2009 jazz that won 48 games. He did this all with only 1 all star. Kobe knew how to get the best out of his teammates and actually make them better
But now we have nick wright and shannon Sharpe trying to convince us that beating teams led by oladipo derozan and Horford, while having another all star on your team, is the greatest accomplishment ever
Facts my guy. I don't try to compare great players like MJ, Kobe or LeBron. But Kobe was a DIFFERENT animal, he did things other players could never.
i watch kobe because i love kobe, he is an angel who i love therefore his spirit and energy loves me back. nothing more nothing less if you think i watch for any other reason than the sweet memory and the love of the game you think to highly of yourself.
The only time Carmelo Anthony ever played in a conference final series
2009 Kobe was when he really displayed his improved leadership and trusting his teammates more.
That play by Kobe at 8:37-- the spacing, the fake, and the dunk. Vintage. RIP Mamba
That 2008-09 Laker team used to piss me off at times, because when they wanted to be, they were such a great team. But they would play down to there level of competition. They won 65 games that year but I feel like they could have won at least 70. This game was the best team performance they played that entire season and one of the best playoff performances I've ever seen from a championship team. They virtually dominated from start to finish.
GOD GAVE KOBE HIS FACE AND HE WILL USE IT AND RESPECT IT TO THE TOP OF HIS POTENTIAL IN HIS LIFE, PRAISE GOD
As I sit here n tear up I use to remember this RUclips channel n always says maaan whoever this is gets the best clips, soundbites etc. of these Kobe highlights....this video in particular shows you the entire KOBE BEAN BRYANT the basketball player...from skill, will, determination, n what a lot off ppl try to play him about LEADERSHIP....thank you whomever this is for ALL your Kobe Bryant highlight videos....but this one as I said is really hitting me differently.....KOBE BEAN BRYANT your LEGACY will NEVER die n we ALL thank you for EVERYTHING on n off the court....R.I.P. to the man, the myth, the LEGEND...R.I.P. to Gianna who I truly believe would have been the GOAT for WNBA....R.I.P. to ALL other victims n families involved 🙏🏾😇
#justMYthoughts #RIPKobe #BlackMamba #8n24 #PurplenGold #WeBACK #MambaOUT
Kobe was using JR n Dauntay Jones like toilet tissue Mamba is the best ever to me now love n appreciate ur game KOBE frfr 100 #GOATRIPMambaNGigi 4real ......
see kobe break this game down in kobe detail episode 1. its brilliant how he puts players in positions to make the rotations all awkward for the nuggets. u can get the commentators to say hey u gotta stay on ur man, but the way of how kobe positioned his guys & got his guys to cut makes it a whole new story.
"that last look from Bryant was the cat that ate the canary" hahaha, my man Van Gundy can be so hilarious!!
We can see that the lane was so crowded back then. Sometimes only 1 player outside 3 point line. If kobe played in today's era space & pace, there would've been more crazy highlights of him
Came here to ease my pain after getting swept to the Nuggets
Kobe could make some really tough shots. His ability to put the ball in the basket even with bodies in his face is just something only a few guys in the league have at any one time
Gotta respect the Denver fans trying to hype up their team at the end but Kobe just kept silencing them😂
Kobe Bryants basketball playing is from another world!!! Fantastic!!!
Specifically to this game, how Kobe close the first half is one of my favorite sequences ever:
- attacking the hoop as the shot clock runs out
- relocates to the corner after both Lamar and Pau tip the miss
- buries the triple to extend the lead from 10 to 13 to end the first half
- sprints all the way back to defend as 4.1 seconds remain (plenty of time to run the length of the court for a layup)
- blocks Carmelo's layup attempt.
This is the relentless nature that we as fans appreciate about Kobe. He never took a game, let alone a possession off.
#MambaMentality #RIPKobe
They meet again in the WCF 11 years later!