While it may not be statistically Kobe’s best ever game it was the one that saved and even altered so many players legacies had the outcome went the other way.
The Lakers were up 3-1 in this series and were on the verge of blowing a 3-1 lead since they were down by 15 points with 10 minutes left in the 4th. Back in the early 2000s a 15 point lead was a big deal.
Imagine how embarrassing it would be for the MVP Shaq if he were to end his season with a blown 3-1 lead. Mind you Shaq was held to 9 pts and 5 rebs entering the 4th quarter.
Yes Shaq went on to have an extremely dominant Finals series vs the Pacers but it likely would’ve never happened had Kobe not led the 4th quarter comeback in G7 WCF.
If the Blazers went on to win then they likely would’ve been favored over the Pacers and if Pippen won his 7th title and his 1st one without Jordan then it would make for some interesting basketball discussion.
by AdorableBackground83
5 Comments
Anyone alive at the time knew Kobe was the difference to get through the West then Shaq would obliterate whatever East time made it out. It was this year that Kobe became Kobe the legend we know now. Nobody really remembers him coming off the bench or his airballs against Utah. It’s part of the story, but not the part he’s known most for. It was this year where it was absolutely clear Kobe and Shaq were gonna fuck up the league.
RIP Kobe. 1 of 1.
Obligatory we used to have actual gold jerseys comment
Man the JailBlazers were no joke…Having Sheed , Grant Brian , Jermaine , and Sabonis go head to head with shaq ( pause ) was amazing to watch.
Scotties deltoids oh my
I hate it when people claim that there was “no argument that Shaq carried Kobe, at least in 2000”.
Fukkin lmao, Kobe was the reason why we won Game 7 and the Blazers were the toughest team we faced that year. They went 59-23.
Shaq was sitting on the bench when the Lakers were rallying.