How the Lakers fell from contention to ruin during Kobe Bryant’s final seasons

As far as basketball goes, Kobe Bryant had what he needed by 2010. Without Shaq sharing his spotlight, Bryant won consecutive NBA championships, proving he could do that as the Lakers' primary superstar. But he wasn't done, and he wanted to stick around in Los Angeles, so the Lakers acted accordingly.
Or at least they tried to. LA -- run by a complex, ever-changing, and sometimes nepotistic front office -- soon realized the core that earned them back-to-back rings wasn't going to cut it against some rising Western Conference powerhouses. So they swung a huge trade to bring in superstar Chris Paul. When that trade got vetoed by the league, things started to spiral: Upset co-stars led to desperate dismissals, which led to desperate acquisitions, which led to diminishing organic growth and eventually a whole lot of losing.
The Lakers said farewell to Kobe with their worst seasons as a franchise. This episode of Collapse explains how they fell so precipitously within the twilight of their departing star.
Written and produced by Seth Rosenthal
Shot and edited by Jiazhen Zhang
Motion graphics by Michael Das
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#SBNation #Lakers #KobeBryant

[@mayitakeyourhatsir8632]

Can you imagine having your dad die, so your sister becomes your boss and forces you to resign. Shit's wild

[@javirios3107]

Don't mix fam with business then. He had a job to do and he did it poorly

[@zeeski7454]

Well he completely mismanaged the organization and would have been fired sooner in other organizations. Nepotism allowed him to get the job and keep a job for so long

[@goodjoejoe]

He did promise to resign.

[@me3ksdagoat279]

Her father went to the grave with a grudge vs J.west who saved LA and the buss family post Magic Kareem. Imagine he doesnt get us Shaq and Kobe or Gasol....this team would be sold by now.

[@me3ksdagoat279]

@Matthew Spurs Kobe has the most wins vs 50 win teams and Duncan is on that list 4 times. Kobe 3peated and a 3 year run with beating Boston. Duncan same coach point guard and 6th man could never 3peat let alone repeat. He got lucky getting a chance vs Miami the NBA could take that vs KOBE CP3 DWIGHT maybe being that Finals match up which chances the debate on Kobe today if he has maybe 6-7 rings and he beats Bron. Stop it with that Duncan love lol homie was barely better than KG player for Player.

[@senorfish2503]

The fact that Kobe is dead is absolutely insane.

[@MrAndreboy11]

Trev Carter this still doesnt feel real to me

[@vilnv]

One week has past and waking up to videos and tributes is heart wrenching

[@shawswervoo]

To this day

[@superblaze1]

still doesnt feel right

[@senorfish2503]

@David Joseph lol, are you the guy who searches comments and is the voice of reality? David Joseph has left his negative spin here, on to the next one!

[@RenegadesReact]

This hurts even more now. RIP Kobe

[@noah_that_bills_fan1613]

R.I.P Kobe

[@pocketjake1393]

Bruh I just saw your comment on the Trigger Me Elmo video, weird to see someone on 2 very different videos

[@RenegadesReact]

Pocket Jake I don’t make it very known but I’m a big sports fan.

[@frankyan3500]

? he didnt play well, thats all

[@princeboakyeyiadom2280]

If the CHRIS PAUL trade didn't get vetoed Kobe would have 11 titles

[@SuperEldair]

Came here to pay my respects for Kobe...

[@prisonmike8730]

and to get likes for his death, you fake

[@SargentTripleO]

Then just press F like everyone else.

[@mitchelljordan3521]

Prison Mike naw dawg

[@indrajitnath2869]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/poqVXq2Ifcdqq7M

[@ef692]

Sick dude

[@mattd.717]

Was gonna comment a Steve Nash joke... But I think I'll pass

[@FoshoTheOne]

Great choice my man ...

[@lucwijngaard8413]

That would be a Kobe joke

[@papabear5103]

*Laugh track plays

[@MrRedbull901]

Matthew Spurs not gonna lie I can’t disagree bro 👀👀 timmy was cold asf

[@p00ner1sm]

Thank god you didn’t post the joke.

[@spencersheen3893]

As a Laker fan, this one's going to hurt. At least we're not the Knicks tho

[@zeeski7454]

Haha screw you lol.. You're right though lol

[@Coolguy83050]

As a laker fan and a basketball fan in general i must agree to that lol

[@ronaldcole6101]

Even with those 16 titles, you’re still worth less than the NY KNICKS.

[@AquariusLeviathanProphecy]

@@ronaldcole6101 facts

[@nathanprentiss7578]

Geez as a kings fan, I have to agree with you. Have to say though I’ve enjoyed all this laker losing because misery loves company and we will always hate the lakers.

[@gabesachse5391]

RIP. One of the greatest to ever play sports. This day will go down as the day the Mamba went down forever, way too soon.

[@bocollins395]

...OMG......RIP KOBE

[@someonerandom2416]

@@uc4825 she stopped the charges. stfu

[@cpt191021]

most overated player that I know. He always had an absolute squad around him but ould still fail plenty of times

[@someonerandom2416]

@@cpt191021 damn bro you think you smart don't you?

[@doratheexplorer8274]

@@cpt191021 bill and Wilt are the overrated ones

[@viewernewest]

I can't see Llamar Odom without hearing Stephen A Smith ranting, "By the way, his first move as the executive was to sign Llamar Odom, who was on crack!".

[@christophercolumbus6474]

More like “was to sign Lamar Odom.....WHO WAS ON CRACK!”

[@macewbee]

That was messed up

[@sheeshshoot123]

I just discovered SB nation yesterday and I can't stop watching. You guys are like mini 30 for 30s and I love how much you hate Skip Bayless.

[@samuel2pac72]

Vincent Walker They are overrated

[@zeeski7454]

Who actually likes skip Bayless?

[@samuelkeay6560]

@@zeeski7454 skip bayless does.

[@deebogaillard]

Zee Ski he can be entertaining when he’s not a trolling douche bag

[@Lex-up6mg]

If ya haven’t check out any Jon Boise vids. The “pretty good”series is so good

[@JJonslaught]

Winning 2 rings is worth losing for 5 years. A lot of teams have been losing since forever and have nothing to show for it.

[@user-nw6se9yc7j]

@@bt3913 stop it

[@misterrominade7928]

Now why you gotta do the Kings like that?

[@isaakfrmla]

Mateo ok we’re not the knicks or bulls chill out

[@Yeen125]

Just ask my Bucks before they drafted Giannis and got a new front office to build a championship contender around him.

[@matthewhoward6106]

@@bt3913 What?!?!? Lol. The Lakers can't make it to the finals, not a chance. You think the Lakers are going to beat the Warriors? The Rockets? The Clippers? Dude don't be making statement like that.

[@dommarsemanes3604]

You didn't even specify that Kobe almost played 40+mins per game in 2013 just to bring tha Lakers to the playoffs, toring his achilles in the process.

[@melvynsngltn27]

Still taking more shots than anybody

[@hanfordreach6849]

@@blackphillip564 It's eerie how true your statement could be that ""mamba mentality" is all macho crap that kills you in the end", because I've thought in that last helicopter ride that he had the mamba mentality to tough out the bad weather to get to his daughter's bball practice.

[@nickdesjardins5987]

@@hanfordreach6849 it just came out. The black box showed he didn’t tell the pilot to do anything...

[@hanfordreach6849]

@@nickdesjardins5987 Thanks for the update Nick. RIP Mamba.

[@thedude3065]

toring

[@SoftBank47]

0:37 "And the savvy, adaptable Lamar Odom." (Stephen A. Smith, off in the distance) "WHO WAS ON CRACK!"

[@EazyyMuthuLovinnE]

SoftBank47 LOL *ZOOMS IN ON MAX KELLERMANS FACE*

[@loveofmangos6112]

@SoftBank47 No, Odom started that in 2012 when he was traded to the Mavs. Odom admitted his life went downhill when he was traded away from the Lakers and started smoking Crack.

[@bagofrats3464]

@manuel hernandez That Curse gets everyone eventually

[@joshuad4081]

🤣🤣

[@anthonybroady9483]

😂😂😂

[@SuPeRGrEyFoX25]

So we just gonna ignore Trevor Ariza for that first Championship?

[@joey90035]

Facts

[@OmniscientVirtuosity]

CashStacks yeah

[@aceassn716]

He played great defense and was sinking tough shots time and again.. He absolutely deserves to be mentioned! Film dont lie

[@SuPeRGrEyFoX25]

@@aceassn716 exactly. If they would have found a way to have him and Artest Lakers would have been lock down. Kobe played Defense as well and it would have taken pressure off of him

[@SuPeRGrEyFoX25]

@@aHondaaa exactly. I dont understand why. He was great for them

[@ASTK928]

"And Lakers fan hope more peaks lie ahead..." Over one year later - The Los Angeles Lakers are your 2019-20 NBA Champions!

[@anthonystanek1212]

Strange how Basketball works. Teams Like the Lakers can turn things around with the right recruitment

[@R3ngad]

@@anthonystanek1212 but teams like the Knicks drop everything

[@anthonystanek1212]

@@R3ngad Knicks are a weird team. got a lot of money but cant win titles. I guess they put the money in the wrong places such as recruiting the wrong players and wrong people

[@R3ngad]

@@anthonystanek1212 it's mainly the front office they just make really bad decisions and trade top draft picks

[@abhijithashok2564]

@@anthonystanek1212 beacuse the lakers are in LA

[@ferdinandcavanaugh8155]

Honestly, considering how things are going right now, you could probly make a Collapse episode about the 2019-20 Lakers.

[@lirpa5]

What a stupid ass comment. They won a championship in 2020! Dumbass hater.

[@j0rdan172]

True true but honestly we all should know the reason why they collapsed😞😭

[@MrFHFoster]

Yeah but don’t forget Kobe had some collapse years

[@2kdevronnie2kiamrealronnie60]

To early rn

[@Zooted504]

They about to waste LBJ final years rinse and repeat

[@dillonturnquist2753]

I'll still never get over that Chris Paul trade Veto. You know Kobe has been reminding crusty ass David Stern about it everyday in the afterlife. RIP Mamba

[@tevinsherrill5653]

Oh boo hoo. 16 titles aren't enough for you? Stern (RIP) did the right thing and Kobe (RIP) was entering the last legs of his career.

[@darianh.2048]

I'm still mad that the Chris Paul trade got vetoed Kobe could've been known as the goat. But David Stern was still a great commissioner and RIP to both of them

[@wyomingptt]

Yeah Hell is probably full of interesting people lol.

[@TheDarkAssaultZX]

Impossible. Kobe is in Heaven. How could he remind David Stern from up top?

[@reioli1039]

@@tevinsherrill5653 They had a good chance of trading for Dwight Howard that year also with Bynum + picks to offer. Things would have been different with Chris Paul as their facilitator instead of a past prime Steve Nash and I think they would have a good run if not for Mark Cuban whining and Dan Gilbert crying with his comic sans font letter. Well, it didn't happen.

[@paulnelson1208]

Those pictures of Lebron and AD look like they're looking at that history and being like "what have we gotten ourselves into..."

[@jordan0183]

Paul Nelson no

[@YungNandoDdd]

I honestly believe they can bring the Lakers a chip

[@jmk0822]

They’re like “It’s time to bring LA another chip” 🤡🤡🤡

[@justinhillenburg9286]

It will an uphill battle for those 2.

[@sychosnare]

YungNando you Are high...Lakers making the same dumb history they did with Kobe...LeBron at 35😂😂😂

[@Imac7065]

A story you guys should look into... Anthony Carter's agent forgetting to submit his clients papers to exercise his player option after the 2002-03 season. That single action had a domino effect that changed the history of the Lakers, Clippers, the Heat, and the NBA as a whole. The effect of that one mistake let the Heat sign Elton Brand (clippers matched) which led to Lamar Odom, which lead to Shaq, which lead to a Heat title, which lead to a Heat rebuild that spawned the Labron / Bosh / Wade era. Fascinating story if you do a deep dive on it. One mistake by a dumb agent lead to 3 NBA titles and a 4 year dynasty.

[@godsfavoritt771]

🦋

[@joesmith8622]

This is super interesting but why does Anthony Carter leaving LA make LA in a weaker position to retain the rest of their talent? Was he like a glue guy on the court or in the locker room or just really good friends with Shaq? I mean the big dominoe is Shaq in this situation and it seems like LA needed to decide between Kobe and Shaq since both of them kinda hated each other off the court at the time. It is wonderful actually heartwarming that they made up before he passed away due to such an unfortunate unforseen accident

[@joesmith8622]

I just feel bad for the daughters so much man. I hope they find their way in life.

[@Imac7065]

@@joesmith8622 I think you misunderstood... Carter was on the Heat and his agent's screw up allowed the Heat to have enough cap space to do everything else I listed

[@joesmith8622]

@@Imac7065 oh wow my bad completely yea wow I misunderstood that lol

[@nevelefilms7336]

The most surprising aspect of this video is Kobe smiling in the Laker team photos during the sub 30 win period

[@mariogv4083]

🤣🤣🤣. RIP 💜💛💜😭🙏🐍

[@infinitymixtapes9562]

My takeaway from this video is that Magic Johnson piped Jeanie Buss

[@deandrepage1048]

Magic Johnson is responsible for the original New Orleans Pelicans trade offer for Anthony Davis back in February. 😀😀😀 Rob Pelinka just had the fortune of former Cleveland Cavs GM takeover for the New Orleans Pelicans to help out his former player, Lebron James.

[@Eagles2020]

Infinity Mixtapes I don’t believe that for some reason

[@henrypena4280]

He piped everyone

[@SergeantRoosters]

Michael underrated

[@dot2hot00]

@Michael good one 😂

[@aml1588]

And now, 2020 NBA Champions. RIP Kobe.

[@andulicious6129]

and then in 2020, the lakers won another championship to add to the superb reputation tied with the celtics for the most rings. RIP KOBE! this was for you

[@detailsmove]

"basketball experts were thrilled" *shows Trump tweet* 😂

[@AmanSingh-bt1rx]

🤣🤣

[@jeppeh2054]

Subscribed.

[@detailsmove]

Jeppe H good looks

[@detailsmove]

Aman Singh 😂

[@scbntz713]

Lmao

[@eddiesanchez551]

As soon as I was reminded of the CP3 trade and Jim Buss running the team . I was consumed by RAGE

[@macewbee]

Yea koby needed cp3

[@dame744]

@@macewbee cp3 needed Kobe ;)

[@daveidfigueroa2948]

Same

[@jeremiahtisdell4823]

@Skippy the Alien It was technically their team and nobodies a fan of the Hornets so leave them to their own team

[@razkable]

i always say if la just kept jordan farmar instead of steve blake they win the 2011 west title...blake was trash farmar was la till he died and la low balled him

[@bombeofam4670]

I want a another beef history like bledsoe and rozier or rus and dame

[@matthiasngo2190]

Russ and dame isn’t beef

[@shassan95]

those ain’t beef

[@YungNandoDdd]

Dorito sandwiches r so good !!!!

[@chrisweber6090]

Future ones probably like nick young and d lo but could do Westbrook and kd

[@paperhag]

Who cares? Both players are over rated trash.

[@Bentami]

Its actually insane its been almost a year since Kobe has passed. 2020 was so horrible.

[@mhskingtanner6310]

Ideas for collapse videos: 1. How the Cavaliers broke the curse on the Lake, and won it all, then collapsed. 2. How the Celtics won their first championship in 21 years, then fell apart. 3. How the Philadelphia Eagles won their first super bowl with a backup QB, then collapsed. 4. How John Elway and the Broncos won back to back super bowls, then collapsed. 5. The Detroit Tigers built a roster with the best pitchers, and amazing batters, failed to win a world series, then fell apart. 6. Carmello Anthony and the Denver Nuggets made it to the Western Conference finals, then slowly fell apart.

[@surferguy1974]

How Joe Gibbs and The Redskins won their 3rd and most recent Super Bowl then Collapse How Conor McGregor is tainting his legacy

[@coreyrowe4119]

How the Cubs went from a perennial contender that won a World Series in 2016 that ended the 108 year curse to collapsing and blowing up that entire roster only 5-6 years later.

[@AirRusher1992]

Another suggestion: How James Harden and the Rockets came one game closer to the NBA Finals, then fell apart within a few years later.

[@StFigarlandGarling]

@@AirRusher1992 yes

[@itisnottaken4444]

That 2011 veto really set them back. Had that gone through, the Lakers wouldn't have felt the need to scramble and DH would've joined as a free agent. David Stern single handedly stunted the advancement of post 2010 Lakers.

[@iaintwritebacktho7230]

Remember when Magic Johnson said he'd bring back Showtime only to jump when things got bad? HAHAHA

[@ceebee312]

Tragic Johnson strikes again

[@kman215]

He loves tweeting too much

[@forthesakeofthenationalist9375]

@@kman215 And spent more time with celebrities and take photo with them instead of doing the job.

[@82shamroc]

What yall don't understand is how much hate magic gets from the owners of teams. Once he left, NO had no issue trading AD to the lakers. It was acctually genuis. And he can recruit without tampering now. Now watch LAL win the next 2 ships.

[@Avocado11]

And now things are looking way better ever since that nincompoop got cleared out.

[@AWiseOrange]

and in the 2019-20 season, a pandemic happened and Kobe died, AD was in a blockbuster trade in LA and in the bubble, they won, all in a circle

[@joshuav.santos5220]

From my view, it’s a combination of these reasons: 1. Hiring the wrong head coaches after post-Phil Jackson era. 2. Inability of Lakers organisation to attract stars that were in their prime.

[@FlyingV555]

3. Kobe got overpaid in his later years.

[@Iyoska_Edgerunner25]

4. Players Chemistry (Im pretty sure kobe and steve nash are bickering heads with dwight) 5. Signing a 37 year old steve nash that is out of its prime and looked like he gonna retire soon (Its more like the kd trade were you are trading for an old superstar and want to win all but never made in the conference finals because they have no depth)

[@macewbee]

​@@FlyingV555yea he should of retired

[@butthole9580]

After 2010 the lakers literally just picked up random dudes and expected Kobe to win the finals. Come on.

[@jasoneng3161]

Butt Hole bruh, Dwight Howard and Nash are just random dudes?

[@legendaryphone623]

Jason Eng nash did nothing in LA, he rob the money and then retire

[@quanbrooklynkid7776]

@@legendaryphone623 haha

[@michaelbuffington4047]

Legendary Phone you can say the same for Kobe he robbed their money when he took their contract and did nothing for the last years.

[@gobot581]

Wasn’t random. Also people think Jordan’s way works but it doesn’t neither does Kobe’s being a terrible teammate doesn’t make people better Having Phil Jackson opposed that he’s the zen master for a reason and is there for all their chips

[@Baldinosalvador]

cant believe we brought dwight back. i remember exactly how i felt about him goin to houston

[@azma775]

Baldino Salvador same 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@intendedexpression6609]

Man shut up dwight has been solid center, he has averaged a double double his whole career. Lakers organization the first time ruined his reputation and it didn't help that lakers legend himself called him soft as he always does to other teammates when the lakers struggle. Dwight just couldn't adjust to the offense and as a superstar the lakers should've used him better. He was also injured and no one plays the same injured. He still helped both the lakers and houston rockets to the playoffs. Dwight has never been a locker room cancer everyone who plays with him like him. Kobe was the cancer on that 2013 team as he always was when the lakers struggled. He starts talking down on teammates instead of staying postive. Dwight is still productive literally in 2018 with the Hornets he averaged 17 and 12. Now hes coming in as a key role player who knows what he needs to do with lebron and a.d being the main guys. Lakers will be fine.

[@moeeshangpate6320]

I feel the same way, but I think he'll be a different dude this time around though.....

[@brandonhuang4414]

His contract is structured around amount of games played so its a good risk

[@SuperCatacata]

@smoke404 Zubac was a real center, and honestly is better than old man dwight right now. But LA threw him away for nothing.

[@thuurmans]

Rip Kobe but people forget the Lakers weren't doing any damage without Pau Gasol. Kobe requested for a trade after not making the payoffs and losing to the Suns twice in a row in the 1st round. Gasols arrival totally changed the offensive dynamic of the team and transformed the Lakers from 1st round exits into title contenders overnight.

[@xaviervega468]

To be fair, everyone needs that #2 guy. Kobe was that guy for Shaq and Pau was that guy for Kobe.

[@anthonyanderson9303]

The CP3 trade falling through really screwed the Lakers, especially considering the super teams we've had since then. If that trade goes through, Kobe probably gets titles 6 and maybe 7.

[@j.l.3685]

Highly doubt that

[@Myblacknadz]

​@@j.l.3685 then you dont understand what was going at that time or how good cp3 was back then. also dwight howard was gonna be on that team. with help Kobe is less likely to get injured playing 42+ minutes every game

[@jojijoestar7233]

@@j.l.3685 Kobe and Chris Paul would’ve been killer if it wasn’t for the fact that old mate David Stern had to do a solid for Donald Sterling.

[@j.l.3685]

@@Myblacknadz exactly my point. "Dwight Howard" was gonna be on that team. Dwight and Kobe couldn't mesh. You're not winning a championship if you can't trust your starting center

[@lk5388]

@@Myblacknadz dwight howard and kobe can't play together. You can bring in cp3, lebron james, and michael jordan on that team and it will fail because dwight and kobe are oil and water.

[@jrcummings1162]

RIP Kobe his daughter an all off those who passed in the crash

[@scrub_jay]

The script for this video could've been two words: "basketball reasons"

[@fmlog5968]

I came back After the 2020 Finals #ForKobe

[@julienr.6254]

Pau Gasol - to only name one teammate - got Kobe his last two rings, like others brought the first ones before. It’s a team sport, no ones wins it all on its own.

[@jessealexander886]

As a Laker fan the CP3 trade still gets me mad at Stern

[@blackreign351]

Jesse Alexander don’t be mad at stern. Be mad that nobody bought the hornets. It’s not his fault. He did his job

[@arizonaFIREent]

Cp3 is a loser and the strength of those Laker teams was there length in the middle trading away odom and gasol for Paul would of made them worse

[@SlaughterhouseJTV]

Neothetruth lmao it wasn’t his job to veto the trade

[@blackreign351]

jermainekiel yes it was. He didn’t like the trade so he vetoed it. It’s the same as him declining the trade as the Owner of the team...(which is what he was at the time)

[@drunkvader]

You guys know nothing. It was Cleveland's owner's fault it was vetoed, backed up by Mark Cuban - Mavs' owner. Dan Gilbert wrote a letter to Stern - letter is still on ESPN site - that says Lakers are always getting stars (Howard was already projected to join the LAL the next season after the veto) while also evading tax - jealousy and hypocrisy. NBA went on a lockout that year. Then LAL org went down hard right until these couple of years they were still reeling because of the veto. Stern said it was basketball reasons then decided to step down. They ruined Kobe and Lakers.

[@brianchua4240]

As a laker fan, I appreciate this! They've angered me for about a decade now with poor management and stubborness!

[@aariesharris7894]

Brian Chua and yet they still manage to sign Lebron and AD. Doesn’t matter how dysfunctional you are as a brand, if you are in LA it always works 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@huongdieu6543]

It's funny beacuse I've always thought that the Lakers just following the normal steps of an American team. When It happened longer than usual, I thought It was just only because of Kobe last 3 years and the fact that rookies don't have immediate impact on the team anymore.

[@brianchua4240]

@@aariesharris7894 how did they do with lebron last year? It always works, well it didn't for 6 straight years in the playoffs. Win the championship and tie with Boston please AT LEAST!!

[@aariesharris7894]

Brian Chua nahhh Lakers do not deserve to tie with Boston. They don’t need another thing to be obnoxious about

[@huongdieu6543]

@@aariesharris7894 Well, what do you expect from a team that rely 80% on the fact that they're the Lakers? Apart from Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, non of the others Lakers great was LEGITIMATELY own by them. Hell, even the old team was formally from Minneapolis and played for the NBL before joined the NBA.

[@jeffreypajarillo1111]

Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher! The greatest backcourt tandem ever in Lakers History!!!

[@TopGuardDawg]

aye now we need to add a new timeline the lakers winning to 2020 championship

[@tommythetreat000]

Do a collapse on the Italian soccer team. How they went from winning the World Cup in 2006 to failing to qualify in 2018.

[@jessejames9149]

If your a real soccer fan you will know that a mom joke changed everything in the final in 2006! 🤣

[@cylereyes8195]

Jesse Hernandez seriously? Lol, you must be kidding

[@MrZadir-nu7bd]

How about the Netherlands? Placing top 4 in back to back World Cups only to not qualify for Euros or the next World Cup.

[@failtolawl]

haha I remember the first time I ever watched the world cup was the semis between germany and italy, and these italian players kept flopping every time the germans got the ball, and somehow kept getting the ball back after each flop.

[@jessejames9149]

@@cylereyes8195 Zidane didn't headbutt Marco for no reason 😀

[@Tru3BanSAI]

Don't let this distract you from the fact that Mr. Krabs sold Spongebob's soul for 62 cents

[@zyrusmatol1259]

Sike

[@kurtowen5249]

YOU PICK THE WRONG HOUSE FOOL!!!

[@bobbysmoove4796]

I love the comment section🤣🤣🤣

[@Sheepmetalrn]

I know a lot of laker fans doubted Bron when he first signed with us, but man he delivered. 2013-2019 were truly abysmal years for us. Also rip Kobe.

[@Nooneknows313]

Man but right now reliving this again.

[@TeezyfolKKz]

@@Nooneknows313 gonna be living it longer than 6 years too.

[@SASE_14]

​@@TeezyfolKKz WE BACK OUT HERE WITH LEKING

[@Watchingvideoslikeu]

Atleast when Kobe was washed you kept your draft picks because prime Kobe didn’t demand you trade for new talent every single year. When Lebron leaves or retires. The Lakers won’t even be to tank right away because you either traded your picks swapped them for the foreseeable future.

[@INVINCIBLE-qs7no]

@@Watchingvideoslikeu kobe requested for a trade twice lol bron never did that

[@oliverdennis3115]

Don’t let this let you forget that that front office with all the Buss’ was amazing, they brought in Pau and all of Kobe’s friends, at the time Dwight was the best center in the league without a doubt, that front office was one to look up to and take example of.

[@chimneysoul1199]

this hurts as a kobe fan

[@shaybtheone]

fr i remember being in 6th grade on my way to school and i glaced at espn saying kobe retirement? and i was hurting inside

[@Flamingbro69]

I bet it hurts even more now

[@fse2520]

Uh oh, if it hurts to see the Lakers collapse through Kobe’s last seasons even after winning 5 titles with him, it must really hurt that he’s dead now. R.I.P. Mamba

[@Flamingbro69]

FSE It definitely does man! 😫 I’m also so happy to see the Lakers come out of the dark this season too, but Kobe’s passing right now is just too much, but I have hope. 💛💜

[@ZhangtheGreat]

Jerry Buss was the glue keeping the Lakers in contention. The dude knew how to be an owner: 34 seasons, 17 conference championships, 11 NBA titles. Once Dr. Buss passed away, we could see the collapse coming. Not all children of professional team owners can replicate the success of their parents.

[@broadstreet21]

Jeannie did get a ring without her father, thanks to Magic's help though, plus they were motivated to win one for Kobe when he died.

[@marcellomori3264]

As Portland and Dame fan, I feel like 2020 is our 2012. We thought we were going in strong and were ready for some box office new players, but.... injuries and lack of moves has us in tears

[@matejbolta]

Dame is done if he stays in Portland

[@alanchen7061]

10 years ago I thought Kobe was gonna be all time scoring leader for sure plus getting that 6th ring😢

[@viciniscaletta9861]

Notice how now (2021-2022) they got both Howard,Melo,Lebron as FA’s.

[@harrisonlee9585]

Every so often I remember that Magic Johnson tweeted his way into an NBA front office job, and then I chuckle.

[@naamanjordan893]

Rest In Peace Kobe 😢

[@bruceperkins7253]

Kobe won all his rings With one team, and I Remember when J. WEST played against the Knicks in the FINALS, & when they Got ALCINDOR/ JABBAR FROM THE BUCKS.

[@haywoodjahblomy8026]

Born and raised here all my life in LA and still live here ...we love our Lakers and Dodgers and I was in high school during the downfall..that was when they used to show the Lakers every home game for free on KCAL9 ..good times .. hopefully we get it this year ..

[@user-xt8pw4jn6e]

Lol another downfall of lakers?

[@phillip23x]

Kcal 9 lakers basketball, damn I miss those days

[@swiftyblue_LA_countypassport]

Haywood Jahblomy straight lol good times

[@shawncarter104]

None of this really effected the way history will view Kobe Bryant, He is still the 2nd best shooting guard of all time 3rd in scoring, 5 championships and a top 10 player of all time and debatably the Greatest Laker of all time

[@colleenross8752]

Alongside Magic and Kareem, of course

[@user-ir3th6fd8g]

Kobd is not top ten

[@johnnybaxter1953]

Not quite top 10 but everything else fax man

[@eruptrl8893]

Top 15

[@lessondburn3971]

Not a better than Magic, but I have him #2

[@themonroe654hd6]

That Chris Paul trade veto makes me more and more frustrated with every day that passes. Thanks a lot David Stern.

[@b9479]

He didn't want Kobe passing his golden boy Jordan

[@splashnskillz37]

@@b9479 An died just days before Kobe did, spooky stuff

[@b9479]

@@splashnskillz37 🤔

[@brandonclarke5775]

Every January is hard. Rest in power Kobe

[@danielkelegian5306]

Nash, KObe, Gasol, Howard and Artest played in only 7 games together in 2012-2013. Kobe dominated that season until he tore his achilles and should have gotten MVP. Lakers would not have won 15 games without him. He was truly dominant.

[@TheLuscious]

You’re on crack. LeBron won back to back league MVPs and FMVPs. Only other player ever to do that consecutive double? Not Kobe, Jordan

[@drunkvader]

@@TheLuscious Lebron did that while having 1000 allstars backing him up

[@Ometecuhtli]

Lebron was dominant and more efficient, besides Miami was the defending champ, so...

[@satsuma1754]

@@drunkvader like Gasol was

[@RigoLethal]

Respect to Dwight for bouncing back to help the lakers win a title in 2020 for Kobe.

[@connorrivers995]

You think the 2022 Lakers would've learned not to do super teams after the Steve Nash/Dwight Howard disaster.

[@officespace7777]

I remember when Kobe got injured. He was playing waaay too hard. For a Laker team that would have most likely have been swept in the first round regardless. Kobe was never the same after that Achilles injury. ☹️

[@neilpm12]

Hurts as one of the biggest Kobe and Lakers fans, but it is the reality of how it turned out. It was still a blast to see one of the greats of the game.

[@jays3652]

As a Kobe and Lakers fan, I'm happy to see this cycle finally end with AD and Lebron.

[@flash012234]

The cycle is back.

[@xlr0gd205]

@@flash012234 lol no. It's just the Spurs were too lucky to pass Lakers in the standings

[@flash012234]

@@xlr0gd205 How you have 3 Top 75 players and get luckily passed by a rebuilding San Antonio team LOL.

[@Lightdion]

Well this video tragically did not age well but it also did. 1) The Lakers became champions once again in 2020. And they are contenders as of now. 2) The worst news of all - we lost a legend in Kobe :-(

[@sebastiangallegos8027]

I will also be thankful for what you have done thank you Kobe

[@chriscabcabin557]

RIP Kobe.....2020 Champs!

[@noahwilliams5207]

2020 NBA Champions💜💛🏆

[@ramcruz7532]

WE BACK BABY!!!! 2020!!!! CONGRATS LAKERS!!!!

[@780d4]

"Basketball experts were thrilled.." 😂😂

[@coolguy02536]

That 2010 championship was a thing of miracles. The Celtics had the series won before completely throwing in the towel offensively the last 2 games. Looked eerily similar to the Kings/Lakers series.

[@megavolt67]

Miraculous officiating, yes.

[@brianshaker1885]

Also, miraculously coached by Doc Rivers.

[@Sticktothemodels]

Andrew Bynum was a legit top 2-3 Center for a year or two. Odd case but never forgotten

[@FecalMatador]

smoke404 Bynum had a much better post game than Dwight in terms of actual moves. Pretty sure all Dwight can do is a drop step n hook

[@arizonaFIREent]

@smoke404 bynum was a top center for a couple of years

[@franknice187]

Yes he was......kobetards forget about that. He had gasol odom and bynum and artest.

[@franknice187]

@J Dolo A kobetard is a kobe fan who highly overrates kobe. They ignore facts and statistics in favor of emotional bullshit like mamba mentality and so called kiler instinct. They compare him to players who are obviously better than him and come to the conclusion kobe is better because he has more rings. Theyd rather talk about number of rings instead of individual game. Basically they throw all reasoning out the door when it comes to kobe

[@SuperCatacata]

Doesn't matter when his knees were made of glass. He was injured every damn season which was a shame. Then his dumbass starting joking around and shooting 3's.

[@ars715]

It’s hard to process that he’s gone...

[@alexvratsanos5227]

Who’s here after the Lakers won it all with LeBron and AD?

[@davidesparza1390]

Hell yeah baby!

[@carlosalfonso4446]

@Joshua Munn and they did it🥳

[@devangpatel5227]

with all due respect, this lakers title doens't count as real and is an asteriks next to it

[@frank68x]

if only SB knew what was to come... Kobe's death and lakers/dodgers go '88.

[@devangpatel5227]

@Joshua Munn that's true. it's in the history books. but it's different then any other season. it is what it is. still doesn't devalue lebron to me. hes amazing and right up there with Jordan to me.

[@zachariaslee9178]

This series just did two of my favorite teams back to back 😭 how far the Lakers and 49ers have fallen

[@tycalvert3395]

UUUUUUUHHHHHH...

[@tycalvert3395]

I'm from the future. I bring good news 🤣🤣🤣

[@AftonLambson]

Lmao

[@johnmickz0180]

As a longtime LA Lakers fan, I tried to stay positive thru the worst times of Kobe's final chapter. Deng and Mozgov signings, letting go of D'Angelo, and early firing of Mike Brown. Great to see Lebron and AD and hoping for another title run. Thanks SB Nation for another great video!

[@raghu9364]

and now we're champions again 💪💪..for kobe♥️

[@miketheavgnfan]

Irony is the fact that everyone but Kevin love ended up a laker in the end😂😂

[@leary4701]

He never would have torn his Achilles if he wasn’t run into the ground by mike dantoni in back to back 48 min games

[@LawDogJr33]

THIS PART RIGHT HERE!!!

[@ldnxiii]

Can’t believe it’s been over a year since we lost Kobe 😭 RIP Mamba

[@ldnxiii]

its now coming to 3 years since we lost Kobe RIP MAMBA

[@bulletberg7601]

@@ldnxiii 😢

[@Maizeandbluekid]

That thumbnail and caption is going to be forever haunting now. RIP to Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and all the victims that perished in that terrible helicopter crash.

[@pacoramon9468]

Is incredible how they complain about Pau being "soft", while still playing as a beast for Spain, he literally scored 40 points against France the year after being kicked.

[@bryanttisdale2446]

He was Kobe's perfect side kick do all the inside work the Kobe couldn't but. A European baller who will not take any credit (He deserved alot of) publicly! Everything Kobe dreamed of!

[@SuperCatacata]

Pau, while not being as good as shaq, was the best fit possible for Kobe. I remember being so sad with how the Buss family treated him at the end.

[@Paladin_-cg5dj]

After Shaq era, Kobe's 2 rings are not bad after all. Heck, some players don't even have single ring.

[@jcads105]

Literally the Lakers as I grew up, but I stuck by them. This was kind of like a sad nostalgic trip for me lmao

[@carolinekelman2403]

And now Dwight’s back on the Lakers, again.

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

The most overlooked part of the Lakers downfall was Odom getting shipped off for peanuts. Dude was the ultimate glue guy. A jack of all trades player who fit perfectly with Chucker Bryant because he didn't need plays called for him, could distribute, rebound, block shots, and score efficiently. He also freed up Gasol because they would have two fluid bigs late in games as opposed to Bynum clogging the paint area. Stern really boned the Lakers over.

[@nolanstaten9867]

As a die hard lakers fan, I just have to say Thank you. Thank you for not mentioning the deng and mosgov deal that Jim buss made. I would have thrown my phone at the wall. Great video

[@joshwonkim0895]

Nolan Staten Thanks for even mentioning it.

[@GiriRam]

Lakers pattern: Draft players like Randle, Russ, Ingram, Zubac, Ball Trade them away and more of the future for 1 ring and suffer again

[@awc6007]

That was partially cause of their new leader LeGM

[@Angel_559_]

Those players wouldn't develop on the Lakers either way

[@gruberhans1062]

RIP Kobe, to this day I still can't believe he's gone

[@-._._._-_._._.-]

Fun Fact: yelling Kobe before taking a shot makes you 300% more likely to make it.

[@arizonaFIREent]

Yet he has the most bricks of all time

[@tycalvert3395]

Everybody I know says Kobe when they miss and Curry when they try to make it.

[@NealBones]

I can't even yell it without being sad now. Every time I went to shoot at work tonight it would hit my mind but I wouldn't say it. Shits crazy man

[@mokushmasmo6009]

Tha Ruthless 1_ AZF use context if you wanna act smart jimmy Hopkins

[@thie9781]

@@mokushmasmo6009 nah, he's right, Ben Simmons has less failed 3 attempts than Steph Curry, might be the better shooter

[@XxDarkKnightxX99]

Who watching this after the news R.I.P Kobe

[@MrRedbull901]

Stop trying to get likes

[@howisthatgay4275]

“Basketball experts were thrilled” Loved that part

[@slylancey]

I recently just read an article that interviewed Ron Artist about Kobe's final years with LA. He said Kobe's desire to get the 6th ring corrupted him from the inside. He kept pushing his team to get better so he could get that 6th ring, but pressuring the team derailed them greatly. And and when he took matters into his own hand, that's when he tore his achilles

[@danny9511]

RIP KOBE! We are now the 2020 Champs! GO LAKERS!

[@bowsershark]

Kobe took 5 years to recover from separating from Shaq. And, kobe's motivation was built on winning more rings than shaq. And, shaq is satisfied knowing that he could win without kobe. To bad they could not have gotten on the same page to win more together. It takes time and effort and sacrifice to build a winner.

[@frasiec]

Didn’t know Phil Jackson was there that long. Still think of him as the bulls coach

[@jpmnky]

Those years where they had three consecutive #2 overall picks was mind boggling. Both how fast they went down and the talent of those draft picks. But without Kobe, even hurt and older, and look into the history of #2 overall picks, it comes a little more into focus. And at the snap of a finger, they're dominating the west again with James and Davis.

[@AhmedYusuf-ln6mn]

Say what?

[@ajantsmith6139]

Gutting their young core to try and build an overnight championship team is gonna be decision we will look back on as the final nail on the coffin for the Buss family.

[@Jdp_1597]

Excuses excuses that young core been together for multiple seasons if young guys like Jamal Murray jason Tatum Jaylen brown donavan mitchell etc. are thriving there is no way Ingram Zo and those guys be playing mediocre

[@ajantsmith6139]

@@Jdp_1597 time will tell, but AD and Bron aren't winning a championship.

[@Montas19]

@@Jdp_1597 The same words were told about D'Angelo Russell and look at him now. Luke Walton and his staff were trash. They weren't able to develop the young guys.

[@Jdp_1597]

@@Montas19 nah nah nah I was one of the few ppl who saw potential in dlo I was mad they traded him to tha nets, plus I dont necessarily agree Walton and his team were trash it's easy to call a team trash when they dont have a star or superstar player

[@kmena05]

*young trash 😂

[@Justin_In_Bmore]

Love this series. I’d like to see you tackle the Baltimore Orioles 2010-18 (maybe I’m biased?)- from the ALCS to the worst record in franchise history. Also, the last few years of the SF 49ers dynasty in the 90s would be a good one.