Stephen’s A-List: Top 5 Kobe Bryant moments | First Take

Stephen’s A-List: Top 5 Kobe Bryant moments | First Take
Stephen A. Smith dedicates his A-List to his top 5 favorite moments of Kobe Bryant's NBA career.
#FirstTake #NBA
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[@footyfiend3904]

Rest in Peace Kobe. A man who belongs on the Mount Rushmore of Basketball and all time great athletes, an Oscar winner but more importantly a Husband, Father, Son and brother. His legacy will forever be living on. Kobe forever!

[@VictorVonDoom.]

♥️ Kobe However anyone who thinks he belongs on the Mount Rushmore of the NBA clearly lives in the land of magic 🪄 and fairies 🧚‍♀️

[@IbrahimLakeShow]

Well said and agreed! Most definitely on Mt Rushmore of basketball 💯

[@littleman938]

@@VictorVonDoom. welcome to wonderland then

[@somuchbttrdenu759]

@@VictorVonDoom. you know you on the wrong side when even the greats and every person with any credible basketball knowledge disagrees with your take. Let’s see, who should we say lives in a fantasy land? Shaq, MJ, Kareem, Pop and Magic or some dude on YT named Bradders?

[@goatkobe9037]

@@VictorVonDoom. he’s 5-2 in finals. But lemme guess 4-6 is better LMFAO

[@scruffd0g193]

That 81 point game was a once in a lifetime game. Legend In Kobe.

[@kasperrieberg3495]

Yeah ! The 62 points vs Mavs also stands out too me !

[@yuyu175]

81 points on 90 shots I guess it was legendary

[@94Knights]

@@yuyu175 don’t be a jackass on this day.

[@rickyquevedo7035]

@@94Knights he just mad cuz his favorite player cant do that, nor his team beat kobe.

[@crunchypunchfn7880]

@@yuyu175 actually he was 28 for 46 but nice try clown

[@ggrimey]

Lakers are 24-24 as the 8th seed 💜💛

[@mohammedalam6630]

the greatest Kobe memory for me will always be him jumping on top of the scorer table in 2010 after finally beating the Boston Celtics overcoming a brutal war of attrition

[@jayjaypaybay]

This right here. As an Angeleno born in 88 my older brothers would speak of Showtime vs the Bird Celtics but never had the hatred towards Boston that they had until 08. 2010 when Kobe jumped on the table and held his arms open with the ball in his hand, I felt the relief and joy. The crowd put up the five fingers before Kobe did. Los Angeles felt that one.

[@jayjaypaybay]

Ahh man what about the four leaps after winning 4? So many memories.

[@luckybuckeye2283]

January 26th for the rest of my life maybe a sad day, but Kobe left the world with so many happy moments. The Mamba truly did give LA (and the world) his heart when he was asked to give his hustle.

[@pablosolimeo2006]

For me, one of Kobe's greatest moments was giving Giannis the challenge to win MVP and later on a Championship. Giannis did both of those things shortly after.

[@king-ghost1027]

Big facts

[@mil2818]

Saw on tik tok right 🤣 ??

[@FranciscoSilva-xk4hg]

That's more of a Giannis moment

[@urbaindelva7869]

May The Mamba and Gianna live in our hearts forever.

[@taxtact7263]

That nuggets dunk was crazy. Dude was so hated that his accomplishments were downplayed. Greatest in game dunker ever.

[@scc61201]

With all due respect… no

[@king-ghost1027]

Nah dude,, kobe is my favorite player ever but vc had the best in game dunks ever

[@stevehorn646]

Vince carter

[@changez3336]

@@stevehorn646 yea but kobe caught more bodies because he was fearless

[@AceOfPhanatic]

Vince literally jumped OVER a man (first time in history) and dunk on him and that guy career was legit over

[@CaptainRealm]

Rest In Peace Kobe bean Bryant and Gianna Bryant. Gone too soon

[@connor3885]

1. 81 pt game 2. Revenge against Celtics in 2010 finals 3. 62 outscoring Mavs in 3 qrt 4. Game 4 00 finals Kobe taking over after shaq fouled out 5. 60 pt final game

[@alexgarcia-kg1ob]

Good list

[@iTuber012]

that Minnesota dunk Molly mentioned might be one of the best in game/half-court set defense dunks of all time...and he did it again vs the Knicks

[@Lowkey_AFC]

probably the best dunk in NBA history just because of the level of difficulty and who it was against at the time could argue it was against the best defender in the game KG and kobe made it look so easy

[@Bannedconfidential]

Arguably the greatest in game call of all time too. “BUCKLE UP FOR KOBE BRYANT!!”

[@iTuber012]

@@Bannedconfidential I was watching the broadcast live and literally jumped out of my chair it was so impressive

[@kevinbunn7915]

and all these kids now saying he wasn't crazy athletic, he just worked hard... He was extremely athletic

[@archiebolts1491]

I was born in 92 and kobe is the GOAT in my eyes.

[@tnoyce9632]

Born in 94 and the GOAT for me too 🐐

[@SneakerFetish420]

Me too I didn’t get to really see Jordan like that I was watching cartoons still but I grew up on Kobe he’s my goat

[@jecoral9467]

Lebron is goat if Kobe was alive y’all wouldn’t be saying this

[@tylercanton3836]

@@jecoral9467 you bugging. Lebron needs to get hairline fix

[@mohammedpatel2835]

Born in 00 and the goat for me too

[@cypher10]

Everyone remembers the 81 point game. He had 62 in three quarters against the Mavs, outscored them by himself through 3. Had he played the fourth quarter he would have scored more than 81 the way he was going.

[@coreydoyle5271]

I still remember his final game. Celebrating my birthday, and watching him go out like the legend he was and still is. Rest in Peace Kobe.

[@LMNY1]

2008 Olympics, gold medal game. On a team with the greatest players on earth, they handed Kobe the ball when they needed the win.

[@Boston_CremePie]

Kobe looking sad while hugging that championship in 2001 (iconic photo) remains one of my favorite moments.

[@Smartkid2387]

Off the court moment is when Kobe said he got one more than Shaq. I knew he was itching to say it and I was happy he did.

[@TeamDaemon1980]

I don't really have a favorite moment from Kobe because I rooted against him. But if I had to choose one, it's probably his 60-pt finale. I was happy he went out like that. I say most of my favs come from his earlier years when he wore #8.

[@TeamDaemon1980]

The best game I've seen from Kobe happened in 2001. Game 1 of the WCF. He scored 45 pts in San Antonio. That was better than his 2000 Sprain Ankle Game. Most kids only remember his later stuff like his 81 and whatever after that.

[@AshKetchup151]

That entire WCF he was on one dude was out of his mind, that series does NOT get talked about enough

[@inexpugnabilis]

big facts

[@king-ghost1027]

That was when they went 15-1

[@5778_]

he dunked on robinson and duncan multiple times that game

[@djdelo5867]

48 and 15 vs kings was dope too

[@AlNaTz]

To me #1 will always be the 5th. Cemented him with the greatest and vs the celtics who beat him 2 years before. B2B without Shaq, one more than him. One more than Lebron too in case some of y'all forgot. Mamba Out.

[@corbinmacklin185]

The reverse against the Timberwolves is in my top 5. Game 1 in OT of the 2000 NBA Finals. Gave Jordan 33 pts in 98. 18 pts in 22 min in the 98 ASG. 81 pt game. No particular order.

[@Youngguy2024]

The best Kobe moment for me was beating the Celtics in the finals. My older brother loved the Celtics and I was a laker. My brother would beat me in pretty much everything so When Kobe beat the Celtics it gave me such an accomplished feeling lol. Basketball hasn’t been the same since he left

[@TeamDaemon1980]

My favorite season of Kobe? Probably 1998. That's also my favorite season for MJ. Kobe only averaged 15 PPG. That's my junior year in high school which was my fav school year ever. From 1996-1999 were some fun times.

[@joecoe4416]

Game 7 2010 vs Celtics. Kobe jumping in joy after winning!

[@memphismadekel]

Thank you Kobe for the greatness you gave it’s highly appreciated 💯‼️

[@jrsmith1998]

Kobe’s last game, i went to bed with 5 minutes left. My mom was screaming for me to wake up with 2 minutes left!!!! She was going crazy!!! i will never forgot running back into the living room!!!

[@NdoubleOZ]

Your mom is a helluva woman!!!

[@DORAEMON-bw8jk]

His jumping over a Maserati commercial should be on the list lol.

[@raymalv]

With the hyper dunks on .

[@bdr113080]

Kobe was easily my favorite player and here we are two years and eight months later and I still think about him every day. For the last four days when I got off work I’ve been re-watching old playoff games, Kobe Bryant documentaries, highlight reels. I know a lot of people have a problem with Stephen A Smith but I can’t thank him enough for always giving Kobe the props he deserves. I think even Kobe would agree that Michael is the goat but I do feel like Kobe doesn’t get the proper respect he deserves. Like Kobe said in the interview he did on all the smoke. If he knew things like the total amount of points in a career and other stats would be part of the goat conversation he would’ve raised tail to come off the bench the first two years. That wasn’t Kobe’s fault. And I’m not a LeBron hater by any means I do think LeBron is one of the greats but if guys like Michael and Kobe and magic and Larry would’ve known that in 2022 people would be putting stats above championships it would’ve been really easy for those guys to start racking up their stats in regular season games that didn’t matter. In my opinion Kobe Bryant is number two behind Michael Jordan. If they could’ve put that team together that won those two championships in 2009 and 2010 three years earlier than I do really believe Kobe would’ve retired with six or seven rings. It was literally the last three years of his prime that he had a team around him. It was a three-year period in Kobe’s prime where it was just him and Lamar Odom that were the only ones that you could call championship players. But once he got that squad around him he was at the finals three years in a row and walked away with two championships in two finals MVPs.

[@frandybatichon91]

Kobe the Goat 🐐

[@ChrisTorresCordero]

Great List 🔥

[@taxtact7263]

Clearly Greatest player and was most hated.

[@LeChina]

Delusional fan base, not even in the conversation for goat.

[@247sportstx]

@@LeChina wrong

[@damontejohnson9000]

No where near the most hated

[@vangroover1903]

@Tax Tact Rapists often are

[@jordanc.3405]

@@LeChina LeMAO JAMES IS TRASH!!!!!😂🤣😂🤣

[@twoodbeats]

That dunk over Vince Yarborough was one of my favorite Kobe moments of all time

[@1990Thunderbolt]

Lakers vs Celtics game 7 of the 2010 nba finals is my favorite!

[@shawnkeith2414]

3:38 MY FAVORITE ONE EPIC ALLEY OPP TO SHAQ DEFENSE AND BRIAN SHAW SHOT🏀AND KOBE BLOCK TURN GAME ROUND AND SET UP THAT BEAUTIFUL ALLEY OPP EPIC

[@Sophias.Avenue]

2000 NBA Finals Game 4 would be in my Top 5 moments. Shaq fouls out and Kobe just takes over in OT. Lakers go up 3-1 on the Pacers to essentially seize the chip.

[@infinitymixtapes9562]

Didn't he have a messed up ankle that game too? Man was a machine

[@Sophias.Avenue]

@@infinitymixtapes9562 yup. Messed it up Game 2, DNP Game 3

[@dukec2255]

The buzzer beater over Dwayne wade was number 1 for me. I remember watching it live on tv

[@RoadtoGloryNetsJetsUnited]

Good list SAS!

[@iamhallo68]

I cried in his last game

[@kenwelch7284]

When THE GOAT cries at your memorial - you know Kobe passing impacted us all. Fans or foe- He is respected.

[@sometimesposting6779]

So many emotions tied to this man and his pursuit to be the best he could be. But as one of those countless kids he inspired to be great, all I got left to say is WE LOVE YOU KOBE!

[@mediumpapi_zo]

I love his top 5

[@hashslingingslasher3343]

Rest In Peace Kobe on of my biggest inspirations in life ever 💛💜

[@mcolegt]

True Lakers and NBA LEGEND

[@Jojo7190_]

You know Stephen A had fun putting that 81 up there as #2😭

[@feyisayoadelaja2686]

Heroes never die. Rest easy Mamba💛💜

[@a-chee0824]

Thanks for the tribute 🙏

[@soujirooda7989]

1. Taking and making those free throws on a torn achilles and walking off on his own 2. The alley-oop to shaq in game 7 of 2000 WCF 3. Kobe take over in game 4 2000 Finals vs the Pacers 4. 81 point game 5. 60 points in final game

[@bena9369]

Yess

[@STEVo2614]

There are so many Mamba moments you can't have a bad or wrong list. Having seen his entire career and watched as many games as I possibly could. I even had the pleasure of seeing him play in person 3 times and even got to sit 5 rows from the court on one occasion. For me the final 60 point game, and moreso the final quarter encompass everything in his entire career stood for. Everybody was there to see him, everybody in the sporting world was watching him, and he put on a show that will go down as the greatest send off of all time. I remember Tirico saying "...it's a meaningless game..." But for us fans who watched his entire career it meant everything to us.

[@onetwo8847]

A personal favourite of mine: the 06-07 Lakers sucked. They hadn't traded for Pau yet and were still starting guys like smush parker, luke walton and kwame brown. in mid March they lost 7 straight games & the final three by an average of 26. So as a result, Kobe greatly upped his shot output and put the team is his back. He scored 225 points in a week... 65 vs POR, 50 vs MIN, 60 vs MEM and then 50 vs NOK. Then a couple days later he cooled off against GSW and scored 43... Lakers won all 5 games by single digits. He then also dropped 53 vs HOU a few days after that... Dude averaged 50 a game for a 7 game period, and 41 for a month (including seven 50 point games)

[@JDA89]

My favorite list of them all BUT you forgot some lol 1. Kobe dunking on Steve Nash after he stole the MVP from him 2. The dunk in97 All Star game with Kevin Garnett in the paint staring up at him in shock. 3. Kobe twisting crossing someone(I forget who it was) in the corner 3 spot. (Y'all know which one I'm talking about) 4. Kobe making that free throw on a torn Achilles 5. **Kobe talking to that dude in the crowd and counting out his rings to him 🤣🤣

[@supremegoesviral9922]

Ur number 3 was a sick game vs the raptors in 2013. He was absolutely on fire that game. I think it was on Landry fields ? I could be wrong tho

[@theebesttodoit513]

It was Portland against Brandon Roy

[@brandonhensley4335]

@@theebesttodoit513 he scored 65 that game, too.

[@bennbeckman247]

LEGEND

[@xStealthPigeon]

One or my fav moments was Kobe outscoring the entire mavs team by himself in 3 quarters Edit:he had 62🤣

[@dawsonanddaddy3514]

True legend…

[@MrLaneLife]

I miss my goat. Kobe was my reason to watch basketball at first and why I appreciate the game now. Shy still hurts losing my guy

[@BRON24AMAZING]

You mean everything to the game. ♾🐍💜💛

[@Det1911]

what a list! B.i.h. Kobe

[@caper087]

You can’t name 5.. there’s sooooo many.. Rest easy Young King you and GG :/ to the rest of the families, y’all have not and never will be forgotten in our many hearts ♥️

[@God1st8]

My All time fave

[@aishasow3566]

🖤💛💜 May he rest in peace !! 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@stbrian8766]

Every time is see 2 8 together I instantly think about Kobe and Gigi 💜💛 ball in paradise

[@nomoney_sniper1885]

Mamba forever 🐍 The dunk over dwight was pretty 🔥

[@TH1NK_BLU3_495]

Heros come and go, but legends are forever! we miss you Kobe thank you for the memories Rest Easy my man💜💛💜💛💜💛💜💛

[@shawnkeith2414]

2:35 THAT WAS A GREAT MOMENT 👏🔥💯👍 KOBE ONLY PLAYER TO DROP 60 POINT IN HIS LAST GAME

[@richiemunoz2506]

I automatically just want to honor Kobe...love u

[@FiendishDr_Wu]

I agree with the order of the first 2. Obviously 81 was insane but that final game was magical.

[@BenTheAVGNFan]

As a Texan, Kobe made me love the Lakers. I remember the comeback against the Mavs and I was going crazy! LeBron literally made me never root for the Lakers again ....

[@1c3sly13]

I agree with this list

[@BrokeRichAnt7]

This Just Goes To Show How VERY ELITE KOBE Was As An All Around Scorer!! He Is For Sure 1 Of The Greatest To Ever Play & He Will Be Deeply Missed!!

[@leroylyles235]

We Miss U Kobe My u REST n Peace n SOUL HEAVEN

[@edwinp.martinez151]

Number 3 was on my bday back in 2003 Miss you Kobe 💛💜

[@vilmalopez2001]

GOAT!

[@johnpestano7077]

We miss you Kobe you'll be forever loved and missed. 😭

[@AnaAcuraErica]

I saw #1 live -- I cried.

[@santonior2]

I agree SA!

[@dyeslo9003]

That dunk over Dwight Howard and any MJ/ Bean footage is my favorite

[@CarlosGuzman-vl1pe]

Don't forget the Dunk over Dwight Howard... That was Epic!

[@andysauro1500]

No game to me compares to the excitement of watching Kobe drop 60 in his final game. That building was pure electricity!

[@michael43567]

was thinking the 81 point game would be the obvious #1, then I remembered his final game. It's impressive enough to score 61 in your prime, doing it when you're WAYYY past your prime, have injury problems, are old, in your final game AND hitting the game winner in a comeback makes that the rightful #1. Wouldn' t be surprised if even Jazz fans were smiling watching Kobe do that.

[@LuisGarcia-bn1ty]

THANK YOU KOBE

[@KobeKid248]

Mamba Forever always in my heart 🙏🏾❤️

[@CustomizedUsername]

5) Kobe’s dunks in 2003 leading to the original Kevin Harlan calls. First on Sprewell at MSG 2003, the original “with no regard for human life”. Then the dunk on KG 2003 playoffs “Kobe Bryant just sucked the gravity out of the Target Center.” 4) Kobe taking over Game 4 of the 2000 Finals after Shaq fouled out and the calm down gesture. 3) Kobe’s scoring during the 05-06 season. 62 in 3 quarters outscoring the eventual Western Conference champs by himself and of course 81. 2) the redemption titles in 2009 and 2010. 1) 60 to go. I paid $900 for $25 seats because I just wanted to be in the building for Kobe’s last game. Was hoping he’d put up 24 at least. Worth every penny. 60 to go. Los Angeles icon. Mamba Forever.

[@JHC2812]

For me The two that had me going crazy were that game winner vs the Suns and that lob to Shaq game 7 vs Portland Amazing star !!!!!!!! Loved Kobe

[@d.omoneychaser5112]

Rest in Peace Legend and ispiration for all Athlete 🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@notorious1_1]

W segment W List

[@Maxjuliann]

So many historical games from that man her is some I remember off the top Game 4 2000 finals Kobe vs mj Game tying and game winning shot vs Portland 63 vs Dallas in 3 qtrs Olympic Kobe 08 The “ Amnesty “ game Game winner over D wade Dunk on Steve nash …

[@earsknott]

🐐

[@evelynmobley3748]

Rest in paradise Kobe!! No one will ever take his place in the game of basketball!!! A legend, A hall of fame! Black Mamba forever!!!!!

[@tranquilanimaljamlover66]

Good list...I've always preferred the last game to the 81 point game

[@iTuber012]

I have him #4 all time

[@twotwosteele]

💯💯💯💯💯

[@jordansmobiledetailing5097]

I wanted boys selfishly when me and my wife decided to have kids. I now have 2 girls. When Kobe died and the whole girl dad movement started I realized I took life and my daughters for granted. Being a great father is now #1 in my life and Kobe’s legacy helped push me that direction when he died. His basketball career was great but off the court the stuff he did made me a better person. Thanks Kobe.💜💛

[@andresperez7476]

Need more #10 kobe stuff 😜😝😍

[@Amanswag]

Let’s not forget about the game when Kobe scored 60 pts in the first 3 quarters against the Mavericks in 06.

[@shawnkeith2414]

0:31 THAT WAS MY FAVORITE ALSO

[@LiquidKnees]

I was at the game Kobe dunked on Dwight :') I was on the lower bowl, on the other side. The dunk didn't look as crazy from my angle, but the replays showed otherwise

[@samuelfedor1476]

Job is not finished. Moment

[@roytapia1705]

For me the lob to Shaq against the Blazers in the 2000 WCF was a great memory

[@albertmorales3233]

My top 5 Kobe moments: 1. 2 free throws on his left torn Achilles 2. Outscoring the Mavs through 3 quarters (62-61) 3. 81-point game (outscored Raptors 55-41 in 2nd half) 4. 3-point buzzer beater over D-Wade 5. Game 4 2000 NBA Finals (when Shaq fouled out in OT)

[@jmicreyes]

Miss you Bean! I was at that last game!

[@anthonyperaji3355]

One of my favorite Kobe dunks is when he dunked on Gerald Wallace and Kris Humphries