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
30 of 51
Next

22. Epitome of Clutch Kobe

As previously alluded to, Kobe Bryant and the Phoenix Suns had a number of memorable encounters. His dunk on Steve Nash showed how Bryant was able to get the best of Phoenix, but it wasn’t anywhere close to the most memorable moment of that rivalry.

That happened during the first round of the 2006 NBA Playoffs.

In a heated Game 4, Bryant’s Lakers trailed Steve Nash’s Suns 90-88. Nash successfully received an inbound pass with 7.9 seconds on the clock, but rather than going for the foul, Smush Parker forced a huge turnover.

Devean George came up with the ball. Bryant took the pass in stride, made a move on the last line of defense and banked in the game-tying field goal with 0.7 seconds on the clock.

That clutch play was outstanding on its own. What made it truly exceptional, however, was the play that followed come overtime with the Lakers trailing 98-97 with 6.1 seconds on the clock.

With the game on the line, Bryant chased down a loose ball, methodically dribbled up the court, and ended the game with a contested shot at the buzzer. Unbelievable.

Next: Coming Out Party

Home/Los Angeles Lakers