Those who struggle to get there aren’t guaranteed anything once the series is over. They can easily get swept by the opponent and their time on the league’s brightest stage could be over very quickly.
However, Kobe Bryant has been t0 seven different NBA Finals, and has been fortunate enough to win five of them. Those seven long series took a lot out of Kobe, but they brought the best of the future Hall of Famer. Kobe just celebrated his 34th birthday, but it is a safe bet that he will be appearing in several more NBA Finals.
Here are the top five Kobe Bryant NBA Finals moments.
5: 2004 NBA Finals vs. Detroit Pistons, Game 2
The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 Finals despite having Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Karl Malone and Gary Payton. Still, the series brought many unforgettable moments and Bryant was the one who led the Lakers in their only win of the series.
After the Pistons stole the opening game in Staples Center, the Lakers had to do what it took to go back to Detroit with one game under their belt. Bryant did his best to keep the Lakers in the game for the entire match and his heroics in the fourth quarter and overtime led the Lakers to a victory.
Kobe hit a miraculous shot over Richard Hamilton in the fourth quarter and propelled the Lakers in the extra period. Bryant finished the game with 33 points, seven assists and four rebounds.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LflmD8vqzrw&feature=player_embedded#!
Next Page: Number Four
4: 2009 NBA Finals vs. Orlando Magic, Game 1
The Los Angeles Lakers returned to their second consecutive NBA Finals after falling to their arch rival Boston Celtics the season before. Bryant was determined to get the Lakers over the hump and remove the monkey off his back. He had never won a championship without Shaquille O’Neal, and he wanted to prove to the world that he was capable of leading a team.
This time around Kobe faced the Orlando Magic and his newest teammate, Dwight Howard. The Lakers were the heavy favorites going into the series, but Bryant knew public perception didn’t mean anything. He wanted to set a tone in the opening game, and he did just that in Game 1.
Kobe scored an incredible 40 points including 18 in the third, followed up by eight rebounds and eight assists. The Lakers eventually won the series in five games and Kobe took home his fourth ring.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2y4TjxABKo
Next Page: Number Three
3: 2001 NBA Finals vs. Philadelphia 76ers, Game 3
It was Kobe Bryant’s first road Finals game in 2001 and as fate would have it, the game took place in Kobe’s hometown. Bryant developed his basketball game and nationwide reputation in Philadelphia, and it was also the place he took on the team’s city for the NBA title.
Bryant and city of Brotherly Love do not share a very friendly relationship and the animosity the fans have for Kobe has been well documented. Kobe got booed every time he touched the ball during the Finals, but that negativity fueled him. Instead of getting depressed and angry, Bryant used the fans’ chants to send a message.
Bryant finished the game with 32 points, six rebounds, three assists and the Lakers won the game 96-91. Los Angeles eventually won the series in five games and Kobe celebrated in front of the fans who so desperately wanted him to fail.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FOF7Rj_17k
Next Page: Number Two
2: 2000 NBA Finals vs. Indiana Pacers, Game 4
This was the first of many clutch games for the young man from Lower Merion High School. The Lakers were facing the Indiana Pacers in the 2000 Finals, and it was the first time Kobe and Shaq had a chance win an NBA title. Los Angeles had a 2-1 series lead heading into Game 4, and they wanted to do whatever it took to take command of the Finals.
However, that task became very difficult after O’Neal fouled out with only minutes remaining in overtime. Many expected the Lakers to falter without O’Neal, but Bryant came to the rescue.
In the extra period, Bryant led the Lakers to victory, 120-118, and the team took a 3-1 series lead. Kobe finished the game with 28 points, four rebounds and five assists.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7Lp5aQq4zI&feature=player_embedded
Next Page: Number One
1: 2010 NBA Finals vs. Boston Celtics, Game 7
Kobe Bryant has been beaten by two teams in the NBA Finals, the Detroit Pistons in 2004 and the Boston Celtics in 2008. The Pistons fell apart shortly after their Finals win, so Bryant had trouble meeting up with them again.
However, the Celtics remained on the top of their game and the Lakers managed to find them in the Finals again two years later. This time around Bryant was poised to avenge the loss and beat the men from Bean Town. The series went to a grueling seven games, and the NBA title came down to one final game at Staples Center.
Bryant had never played a Game 7 in the NBA Finals, so this was new territory for him. Nevertheless, the four-time NBA champion used his leadership and experience to help the Lakers beat the Celtics in the decisive game. Kobe finished the game with 23 points, 15 rebounds and two assists, despite shooting 6-24 from the field.
The Celtics and Lakers were always bitter enemies and Kobe cemented himself in Lakers history by beating their rivals. The title also brought up Kobe’s tally to five, which tied him with Magic Johnson and one more than his former teammate, Shaquille O’Neal.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfaxusuEIcI