Kobe Bryant: Ranking our 10 favorite moments during his career

Looking back at 10 of the best moments in Kobe Bryant’s NBA career

After the recent passing of one of the greatest players to ever play the game, I wanted to look back at some of my favorite Kobe Bryant moments in the NBA to simply appreciate everything he did for the sport.

1. The 81-point game

This game is obviously Kobe’s greatest career moment. The second-most points scored in a single game in NBA history is an absolutely incredible accomplishment. Even with the pace and scoring being what it is in today’s NBA still, no one has come close to passing Kobe and it is likely that no one ever will.

2. The 60-point final game

I don’t care what anybody says about his efficiency or how he took too many shots or that the defense ‘wasn’t trying’. I don’t care. This game symbolized everything Kobe had done for his whole career. He was having difficulties just running up the court he was so tired and the fact he was able to make multiple clutch shots was remarkable. Not to mention the postgame speech. Mamba out.

3. Back-to-back championships and back-to-back finals MVP’s in 2009-2010

These championships were the absolute peak of Kobe’s basketball career. For years, he heard ‘you can’t win without Shaq’ and to finally prove everyone wrong was an incredible accomplishment.

4. The 2008 MVP

This is far from the only year that Kobe deserved to win the MVP award and that’s what made this moment even more special. So many times people had won the award over him (when they probably shouldn’t have) and it was finally his turn.

5. 62-points in three quarters vs Dallas

I mean… not much more needs to be said. 62… in three quarters!

6. Two made free-throws with a torn Achilles

One of Kobe’s most inspirational moments of his career. I remember watching this game and thinking “Oh, he’s shooting the free-throws, he looks fine, thank God.” and then to find out he had a torn Achilles. What an absolutely outrageous feat of strength.

7. Not flinching at the Matt Barnes pump-fake

Not only a hilarious moment and something that will forever be a great gif. Also, an incredibly mind-blowing moment. It honestly shows just how tough and focused Kobe was when he was on the court.

8. Game 7 vs. Portland, the alley-oop to Shaq

Simply one of the most iconic plays in NBA history. This play really makes you wonder how many championships Kobe and Shaq would have won if they stayed together. This was also the start of the dynasty that would see this duo win three NBA Championships.

9. Winning an Oscar in 2018

Another excellent testament to Kobe’s incredible work ethic and competitiveness. Everything he did, whether on the basketball court or off it, needed to be the best. And to his credit, he usually was, because he worked incredibly hard to always be the best.

10. 2008 Gold Medal with the redeem team

Kobe Bryant was the captain and emotional leader for this USA team in a time when they needed it most. Coming off the disappointing Olympics in 2004 where team USA only claimed a bronze medal, Kobe was exactly what was needed on the redeem team. He helped lead the team to a Gold Medal, reestablishing USA Basketball as the top product in the world once again.