[1] Game 5 NBA Finals 2009
I do realize that Game 5 against the Magic last year was a total team effort victory that clinched the franchise’s 15th NBA title. However, this game is #1 in my mind mainly due to the fact that it exercised the proverbial demons that had haunted Kobe in the four seasons since we had traded away Shaq. All the talk, all the hating, and all the frustrations had finally been spackled over and given a fresh coat of Purple and Gold paint.
Kobe indeed showed up big in Game 5 as he scored 30 points on 10 of 23 shooting and played as almost flawless game as he made sure the series was not going to be extended any longer. Aside from the numbers, Kobe’s performance in this game impressed me immensely because instead of succumbing to the excitement and angst of potentially clinching his painfully sought-after fourth ring, he compartmentalized all of that and focused on execution. The Mamba led the Lakers that night in a very complete team game and left no room for doubt. There would be no Game 6 celebration at the Staples Center and that was just fine. Kobe wanted the title pronto.
Legends step it up that much more when all the chips are laid out on the table and while his career is grudgingly closing in on the end, Kobe the Black Mamba Bryant will have plenty more playoff performances that will leave us all shuffling more “Top 10″ lists around with difficulty.
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