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
9 of 51
Next

43. The First Eruption

Even after slipping to No. 13 in the 1996 NBA Draft, Kobe Bryant entered the Association with a unique heir about him. Most were hesitant to label him as the next Michael Jordan, but the similarities were clear and undeniable.

It was on March 12, 2000 that Bryant made his arrival official and undeniable.

Bryant had already generated a fair amount of fanfare by that point, so much so that he was voted into the 1998 NBA All-Star Game. At that point, the Jordan comparisons were growing louder by the month.

It was during this 109-106 victory over the Sacramento Kings that Bryant won over the remaining critics.

Bryant scored in every way imaginable, posting 40 points on 15-of-24 shooting from the field, 2-of-4 from 3-point range, and 8-of-9 from the free throw line. Most impressively, he did this while adding on 10 rebounds and eight assists.

This stellar performance pushed Los Angeles’ winning streak to 18 games. It also helped Bryant average 20-plus points for the first time in his career.

Next: Karma

Home/Los Angeles Lakers