Top 10 Kobe Playoff Performances

Written by Stan Park on 04/21/2010 in Editorials - 13 Comments

Upon watching ESPN’s “The Association: The Los Angeles Lakers” special last Friday, I don’t know exactly what came over me, but I just felt overwhelmingly inspired to somehow express my excitement and expectations for the 2010 NBA Playoffs. Then I thought, what better way than to reflect on the past? Of course, you can’t think about all of the great moments in Lakers playoff history without remembering awesome games and plays made by our very own iconic superstar, Kobe Bryant who just so happened to explode for 39 points in Game 2 against the Thunder last night.

I’m usually apprehensive to do any kind of “Top 10″ lists because it’s honestly just so difficult to feel like your rankings are set in stone even in your own mind. I did shuffle this list around a bit as I was putting it together, but I am rather satisfied with the final 1-10.

This year’s NBA Playoffs are sure to have many amazing moments that will take our breath away and more than a fair share of those highlights will certainly come from courtesy of the Black Mamba. In the spirit of the best time of the year, I invite you to peruse my Top 10 Kobe Playoff Performances as we all look back and reminisce together about the best player on the planet, the Black Mamba Kobe Bryant.

NEXT: [10] Game 4 NBA Western Conference Quarterfinals 2006

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Conoro

How couldn’t you have Kobe’s 49 & 10 game against the Nuggets from 2008?
Conoro

How couldn’t you have Kobe’s 49 & 10 game against the Nuggets from 2008?
http://lakersnation.com Stan Park

Hey Conoro, you bring up a great great performance by Kobe no doubt. I did watch that Game 2 against the Nuggets in 2008, but all things considered, that series was simply too unfair in my personal opinion. If Kobe hadn’t scored 40+ in at least one of the four games they played in that series, it would have been a travesty. I did consider it, but like I said, I just couldn’t fit it into my Top 10, but hey that’s what Top 10′s are for! As Laker fans, we all have our own lists of the best games we’ve seen from the Mamba. Also, I did want a good balance of his games as a younger player and his more recent playoff years.

Actually, out of curiosity, what would be YOUR Top 10? Either way, I really appreciate your feedback and thank you for supporting Lakers Nation!
http://lakersnation.com Stan Park

Hey Conoro, you bring up a great great performance by Kobe no doubt. I did watch that Game 2 against the Nuggets in 2008, but all things considered, that series was simply too unfair in my personal opinion. If Kobe hadn’t scored 40+ in at least one of the four games they played in that series, it would have been a travesty. I did consider it, but like I said, I just couldn’t fit it into my Top 10, but hey that’s what Top 10′s are for! As Laker fans, we all have our own lists of the best games we’ve seen from the Mamba. Also, I did want a good balance of his games as a younger player and his more recent playoff years.

Actually, out of curiosity, what would be YOUR Top 10? Either way, I really appreciate your feedback and thank you for supporting Lakers Nation!
Jim

Sorry but Game 5 of 2009 Finals is not even in Kobe’s Top 10. 30 points on 10 of 23 shooting? Dude, come on, don’t disrespect Kobe like that.

Game 4 against Sac Town in 2001 was the best playoff game he ever played. 48 points (15-29 from field) and 16 boards to close out the Kings? That performance terrified the entire league and forced everyone to pay attention. Not to mention his famous “Yeah we wanted to rip their hearts out” quote on NBC after the game.
Jim

Sorry but Game 5 of 2009 Finals is not even in Kobe’s Top 10. 30 points on 10 of 23 shooting? Dude, come on, don’t disrespect Kobe like that.

Game 4 against Sac Town in 2001 was the best playoff game he ever played. 48 points (15-29 from field) and 16 boards to close out the Kings? That performance terrified the entire league and forced everyone to pay attention. Not to mention his famous “Yeah we wanted to rip their hearts out” quote on NBC after the game.
Stan Park

Yes that game against the Kings was monumental, but to call that the best of his entire career? In the same way you don’t think Game 5 from last year belongs, I can’t agree with your #1. And I don’t think I’m being “disrespectful” to Kobe by putting Game 5 as #1 because there’s absolutely nothing more satisfying than finally winning a ring without Shaq to which I’m sure even he will attest. All things considered, he played a pretty complete game in the championship clincher and I’d rather score 30 on 10/23 to win a title than score 48 and grab 16 boards to beat a clearly inferior Kings team in the West Semis. But feel free to post your Top 10 because this is all for fun anyways!

Thank you for the feedback though, I appreciate any input.
Stan Park

Yes that game against the Kings was monumental, but to call that the best of his entire career? In the same way you don’t think Game 5 from last year belongs, I can’t agree with your #1. And I don’t think I’m being “disrespectful” to Kobe by putting Game 5 as #1 because there’s absolutely nothing more satisfying than finally winning a ring without Shaq to which I’m sure even he will attest. All things considered, he played a pretty complete game in the championship clincher and I’d rather score 30 on 10/23 to win a title than score 48 and grab 16 boards to beat a clearly inferior Kings team in the West Semis. But feel free to post your Top 10 because this is all for fun anyways!

Thank you for the feedback though, I appreciate any input.
Mamba9381

Great top dude but you forget one of Kobe best games ever. It happened in 2004 playoffs game 4 vs San Antonio and is most known as the “Colorado game”.
After spending a second straight day in a Colorado courtroom, Kobe flew back to L.A and arrived at STAPLES Center 2 1/2 hours before tip-off. That’s set the tone, the rest is legend.
Kobe lead the way with a remarkable 42pt performance, helping his team even the series.

Cole

Kobe is the second best player in the history of the NBA, all these games you’ve guys said are great. But truly the best was when he got 48 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists.

Hbnkobe

Actually he’s THE BEST! Get it straight

Nodignity10

kobe’s game 6 against phoenix was incredible. The daggers he hit in the 4th quarter on route to the NBA Finals was crazy
http://twitter.com/kobeshow81 David Finkel

all of those games are sweet, does anyone know where u can download any of them…?