Kobe Bryant is a name that every basketball player and fan remembers as one of the greatest of all time. There are many tales that established him as a true leader and great player. One such moment was recently recalled by former Los Angeles Lakers point guard Tyron Lue as he spoke on the ‘All the Smoke’ podcast and reminisced about the legendary 2000 NBA Finals.
Lue recalled the defining moment when the Black Mamba took over following Shaquille O’Neal’s foul trouble. The Lakers first panicked, casting doubt on Kobe’s leadership and team-play skills. However, Kobe hushed the doubters with a show of brilliance and taking command.
Kobe Bryant silenced his own Lakers squad during the NBA Finals
Kobe Bryant’s legacy as a Los Angeles Lakers legend and NBA icon was built through a lot of effort, through five championship victories, and his ability to thrive under pressure, a trait that seemed to take on a life of its own.
Kobe was really 21 years old silencing his own team in the NBA Finals ♾️
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One of his earliest legendary performances came in Game 4 of the 2000 NBA Finals when he single-handedly silenced doubts after Shaquille O’Neal fouled out. Former teammate Tyronn Lue recently recalled the moment, saying,
“Shaq fouled out. So, everybody kind of panicked. So they thought like, ‘Okay Shaq fouled out. We got to move the ball. We got to get everybody involved. We got to play a different style of basketball.’ So I think Kobe had missed three shots in a row. He took a couple of bad shots, whatever, and he missed three shots in a row. So guys are like, ‘Man, you got to move the ball,’ and Phil was on him a little bit in the timeout, and he came out, I think he might have scored 12 straight or something, and then he hit that big shot, and he’s like, ‘Relax. I got this.’ And after that series, then that’s when…it was over.”
The Lakers underwent a cultural change under coach Phil Jackson, going from postseason underachievers to a dominant power in the league. Mamba’s perseverance was on full display in Game 4 of the 2000 Finals against the Indiana Pacers, when he played through a devastating ankle injury to lead the team to victory.
With the win, the Lakers won their first NBA championship in 12 years, paving the way for Bryant to win a record five titles. This legendary game proved Kobe Bryant belonged among basketball’s all-time greats.
How many NBA rings Kobe Bryant won with Lakers?
Kobe Bryant’s legacy will never be surpassed. Throughout his memorable 20-year career, he showed undying dedication to the Los Angeles Lakers, helping them win five NBA championships. Bryant was full of dedication and a natural ability to work in harmony; he captivated audiences with his on-court skills and magnetic personality.
From a tentative shooter to a deadly scoring machine with a bag full of moves and tricks, he matured into a complete player over time. Kobe Bryant’s legacy is a show of his impact and greatness in the world of basketball, as seen by the countless awards and honors he has received during his career.
