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

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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5. Passing Michael Jordan

As has been illustrated throughout this glorious slideshow, Kobe Bryant has been compared to Michael Jordan at every phase of his career. Everything from his fundamental approach to the game to his statistical feats have been likened to Jordan’s.

On December 14, 2014, Bryant finally did the unthinkable: he passed Jordan.

With a free throw against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Bryant usurped Jordan on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. It marked his 32,293rd point, which placed him at No. 3 in league history.

Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone remain ahead of The Black Mamba.

There are layers to Bryant’s game that have become under-appreciated, but the foundation of his attack has always been his uncanny ability to score. He won two scoring titles, averaged 35.4 points in a single season, and has a vault full of 40, 50, and 60-point games.

That all added up to Bryant finally overtaking Jordan in 2014.

Next: A Rare and Glorious Feat