Hoops Habit
Fansided

Kobe Bryant: 50 Greatest Moments of Black Mamba’s Career

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
16 of 51
Next

36. Putting Ben Wallace on a Poster

In the grand scheme of NBA basketball, few players have been as dominant along the defensive interior as Ben Wallace. A four-time Defensive Player of the Year, five-time All-NBA honoree, and 2004 NBA champion, Wallace has a compelling case for the Hall of Fame.

All-time rim protector or otherwise, that tremendous resume couldn’t prevent Wallace from showing up on a Kobe Bryant poster.

It was early in Wallace’s career, but the 19-year-old Bryant’s dunk on Big Ben was a sight to behold. After shaking his man with a vicious crossover, Bryant erupted into the paint and finished over Wallace with a thunderous flush.

The fact that he jumped from the top of the restricted area made it all the more impressive.

This was back in 1997, when both men were relatively fresh in the NBA. Nearly 20 years have since passed, with Wallace recently having his number retired by the Detroit Pistons and Bryant completing his final season.

Wallace hadn’t yet reached his peak level of defensive proficiency, but Bryant’s dunk on the four-time All-Star sent a powerful message: clear out of the way.

Next: All-Star Game MVP

Home/Los Angeles Lakers