I remember hearing that a lot when he was playing with Shaq. We all knew he had potential but never in a million years did I think he would end up being of the best ever.
Man..... I was a lakers fan since 1989.... then we had a long streak not getting to the finals.....I remember that game so good.... I’m from Israel and the game was broadcast at 6:00 am. When Shaq fouled out I thought it’s over then in the OT Kobe came up big... I remember my brother tells me “he is like MJ” I watched it laying in my bad, hiding behind my blanket. Then... when the lakers won, I jumped out of my bad like crazy..... what a memory!
@@avoiceup3222 why do people think Jordan invented everything lol. He must have invented the dunk the cross over and the jump shot as well lmfao watching Jordan as a kid yes he was amazing but the shit is getting played out like players today can't do stuff he did
The era that actually played defense and ran plays. (Less possessions) Now it’s 3’s and running which is is exciting brand of basketball (more possessions).
@@QuinndarriusYT yeah people always look at the finals numbers but Kobe put in the work in the Western Conference playoff games. At that time te west was the best conference so whoever came out of there was gonna be the champions. The Western Conference Finals were the actual NBA Finals. Shout out to Portland, Sacramento, San Antonio. Those franchises had squads during the 3-peat.
21 years old and had more talent than everyone else on the floor combined. I know almost everyone considers him one the 10 best ever...but I still think he's underrated. He should be in the top two. Only behind that other guy....you know who he is.
Game 4 was THEE game. As great as Shaq was... to get up 3-1 they needed Kobe. And when it’s 3-1 it’s pretty much over in playoff or NBA Finals. Kobe won the sealed the Finals with this game.
This is the game that Kobe began his legendary status. I knew he’d be one of the greatest players of all time after watching this game. He showed the entire world that day the beginnings of #MambaMentality RIP to my GOAT ✌🏾💜💛🐍
I remember watching this game and thinking his play in OT, carrying the Lakers by himself on the road in the Finals, solidified Kobe's status as a superstar more than any other in his early career
This is the most Kobe performance I can think of. Put the team on his back and his bum ankle and willed them to victory. Unreal. Thanks for never ever not going 100%, Kobe. I hated the Lakers but respected how you went about the game.
4:09 This step back is the move Kobe learned from Reggie Miller himself 3 years prior to this... then he said to Miller: “you never should have shown me that step back.”
LMAOOO Lebron did things at 21 that Kobe could only dream of. Kobe at 21 22.5ppg 6.6rpg 4.9apg Bron at 21 31.4ppg 7.0rpg 6.6apg No player in NBA history has been as dominate as Lebron was at such a young age.
Kobe EASILY could've gotten all three of those Finals MVPs during the 3peat. Shaq was just on another level with his play though! Tough to win a Finals MVP when you have a tower in the middle shooting 60% from the field! Even Michael Jordan would struggle to win Finals MVPs playing with a 7'0, 300 pound center, shooting 60% and averaging 30 plus.
Funny thing is if you take into account the first three rounds of the playoffs kobe would have been mvp every time..it was a cakewalk against the east teams allowing shaq to dominate like he did(no disrespec)..but kobe was far more valuable in the other rounds
This might be the stupidest kobe statement of all time. They wouldn't have won any of the three finals without shaq, but they could have easily won this series without kobe's 15 points per game. Shaq avg 40 points per game and 17 rebounds. They could have 3 peated all three times without Kobe, but not shaq.
This is the second stupidest kobe statement besides the original comment. During the lakers 3 peat kobe never lead the team in any category,OVERALL IN THE PLAYOFFS NOT JUST THE FINALS THE PLAYOFFS. Shaq lead the lakers in both points and rebounds for the enitre 3 year playoff run. The only thing Kobe ever lead the team in was shot attempts. He took to many shots, its what cost them the 04 finals, and untimatley broke up what could have been the greatest dynasty in NBA history, probably cost the team 4-5 more championships. Kobe is barely a top ten player. Bow to MJ, Lebron and Magic/Bird.
actually most playoff series leading up to the Finals Kobe averaged more PPG than Shaq, especially against the likes of San Antonio which Kobe destroyed every year, Shaq would just be so dominate in the Finals that the overall numbers got messed with. They are all quoted as saying they forcefully fed Shaq the ball in the 3peat because their Eastern opponent had no one that could guard him, I mean his toughest challenge in that 3peat was Mutumbo...lol
Damien Butler I didn't watch it live but the lakers channel re aired this game and I was amazed seeing Kobe doing all the things I couldn't see at the time.
When you look back you could easily see and understand why Kobe took over. Aside from Shaq Kobe was the only other player that acted like they were playing for their lives.
He probably would have learned his lessons early that you need to have good players and run an offense, you can't just run around jacking up shots. He wasted a few years of his prime running Shaq out of town and trying to score as many points as possible. It reflected in the team's record and the fact that they couldn't attract any talent because people didn't want to play with him. It's like he had Jordan's first few seasons crammed right into the middle of his career. It's a shame.
Phil Jackson knew how to run a team. If one part of of triangle fails, it all crumbles and they can zero in on shaq. Shaq was so dominant because Kobe kept other teams in check. Of course shaq is gonna put up numbers. Of course you're gonna run the offense primarily through the guy that has a giant mismatch every night.
The #8 Kobe with the fro was DIFFERENT!! 😳 Remember this game as if it was yesterday, gives you chills to have been able to witness this great performance.
Shaq was obviously the MVP, but in the most important game of the series, it was Kobe on an injured ankle, that caused him to miss the previous game, that took over and led the way to the Lakers only road victory, in the OT with Shaq fouled out.
Sucks to see these new kids just say he was carried by shaq. If shaq didn't play with 2 top 3 shooting guards of all time. His career wouldn't be as renowned as it is.
He was always destined to be the next greatest and surpass all the past great just like one day we might see someone else surpasses him and be the greatest
I'm a Kobe fan. I think (actually know) that in terms of pure talent Kobe is superior to LeBron. But so what? LeBron is an AWESOME physical player. Most of his stats are better than both Kobe's and MJ's. Just 'cause you're a Kobe fan that doesn't mean you should hate on Kobe's good friend LeBron. They're two completely different players playing two different positions (mostly). No reason to hate on either one. Both are two of the best ever. LeBron can't even come close to doing what Kobe did. And Kobe couldn't come close to what LeBron does best. They've both choked, they've both been clutch, they've both won and lost finals. They've both been fun to watch...and remember, this is just entertainment folks. No reason to get your panties in a bunch about who's better at xy or z. It's a fucking GAME. Go give one of your loved ones a big hug and tell them you love them....NOW THAT'S IMPORTANT!
That 21 rebounds is what kept them in this game. Without that Kobe would have never had the chance to put on his cape. When Shaq was in shape this dual was the best ever. Shame Shaq didn't listen to Kobe and stay in shape. That's what started the bad blood that ended in a break up. By 2004 Shaq was so out of shape his dominance was long gone. If after the 2002 finals he would've gotten back into his thin/muscular 1999 season shape he could have dominated for 5 more years. Rings galore. Shame.
5:39 "The Lakers have a 3-1 lead" There was a time when having a 3-1 lead in the Finals meant you were going to win. Can't say that anymore, courtesy of the Warriors.
Well if you have injuries before or within the series, odds are its going to bite you back. These Lakers did not have any reported injuries during the playoffs.
Man I watched the move like 5 times , tripple threat post faceup one dribble 2 steps leaning hook from a guard 😤 I was hoping someone else would notice it. Thank you!!
The vets wanted Kobe to fall in line and wait his turn. He said f**k that I’m the top dog and I’m getting mine by any means necessary lol. Hate it or love it next to MJ, Kobe was the ULTIMATE competitor and winner.
Nice to see the quality being decent probably more like it was when we saw it live on tv. Why does anything from beyond a couple years ago look like this it was filmed on an iPhone 1 how has all the footage degraded that much this game was in the year 2000 not 1980 for cryin out loud
I rewatch old games like this and I already know the outcome. But, some how still end up on the edge of my seat like oh damn what's going to happen now?
