Storyline: March ’03 and February ’16–same outcome. It’s the mentality and performance that Kobe has exuded throughout his career. He rises to the occasion. Written by Steven Toroni.
It was a breezy night in March in 2003. The Lakers were gearing up for the playoffs coming off of three straight NBA championships. As the season drew closer to its final tip, Kobe Bryant was establishing himself as one of the best players in the world, averaging 30.1 points to this point in the season.
Courtesy: awesomeish.com
On this particular night Michael Jordan’s Washington Wizards visited LA. In his final stint in the league Michael was making one last attempt at restoring an otherwise abysmal Wizards franchise. This was Michael Jordan’s last visit to the Staples Center.
Jordan responded well to the buzz of the crowd. He started the game going four-of-four, hitting an array of jumpers in vintage fashion. After knocking down his fourth–over Rick Fox fading away out-of-bounds on the left baseline–the crowd was going nuts. At this point in the game Kobe casually sank a couple of outside shots and was slowly getting into rhythm.
Then something interesting happened. Shaquille O’Neal passed Bryant the ball at the top of the key and it was intercepted by Jordan. MJ took the ball the length of the court for an easy two-handed jam for his ninth and tenth points of the quarter. Kobe was there to retrieve the ball for the ensuing in-bound and gave Jordan a subtle look as he trotting back up the court.
It is at that moment that “The Mamba,” as we know him today, was born. Kobe went into a zone that he had never reached. He buried eight three-pointers in the first half alone. He was pulling up beyond the arc on fast breaks, sinking shots from improbable ranges.
No shot was improbable on this night. Bryant capped off the scoring tear with a ridiculous three in Tyronn Lue’s face (yes, the now-interim head coach of Lebron’s Cavs) from the right corner followed immediately by a pull-up jump shot in transition from 17 feet out. He ended the half with 42 points. By the end of the night he had 55.
Courtesy: CBS Sports
Kobe made a point on this night (as he would frequently for the next 13 years) that he’s simply on another level. From that moment Kobe made it clear that the torch had been passed from MJ to him. The Staples Center was his house. He was not going to be outperformed–especially not to “His Airness”–during his last game in LA.
It is this kind of mentality that Kobe has exuded continuously throughout his career. And it makes him one of the greatest of all time. Whenever there is an opportunity to go out and prove something, Kobe rises to the occasion and thrives.
Thirteen years later (in 2016) another challenge presented itself in a season that’s exclusively a farewell tour for this 20-year vet. The Lakers were facing a franchise record 11-game losing streak as a young Minnesota team came into town on Groundhog Day. Ironically enough, Sam Mitchell, who coached a Raptors team that saw the Mamba score an unthinkable 81 points in 2006, would relive a nightmare. He had just taken over head coaching duties for the Timberwolves.
Similar to Bill Murray in the 1993 comedy history would repeat itself courtesy of Bryant’s hot hand. Kobe buried seven three-pointers, the most he has had in a game since 2007, en route to a season-high 38 points. Most importantly for Bryant, the Lakers avoided an embarrassing record in which would always be associated with his team.
When adversity presents itself the enigma that’s Kobe Bean Bryant turns on a rare switch. Still, many critics challenge Kobe and the Lakers current direction; the franchise is approaching a third straight losing season. As the career of a legend winds down, spectators must realize they’ve helped create a monster.
And he wouldn’t have it any other way.
