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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 /
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16. Clutch at the Olympics

The 2004 Summer Olympics are remembered as one of the most disappointing events in Team USA basketball history. Despite featuring the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, and LeBron James, the Americans were forced to settle for a bronze medal.

Four years later, Kobe Bryant made sure Team USA walked away with the gold.

Long heralded for his uncanny ability to take over in the clutch, Bryant assaulted Spain’s defense with an unforgiving barrage of plays. Against teammate and friend Pau Gasol, The Black Mamba reminded the world of why he won MVP earlier that calendar year.

In every phase of the game, Bryant was dominant.

In a highly competitive Gold Medal Game, Bryant was the difference between success and failure. He gave The Redeem Team the Olympic gold that it had waited four long years to achieve.

Bryant effectively solidified his place as the best player in the world with this performance.

Next: Clutch 101

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