The Day Kobe Bryant Fooled The Entire World

The NBA world has doubted Kobe Bryant and this day, he completely fooled them.
We might now look at his career and look at Kobe as the ultimate competitor, but that reputation was earned *and in the moment, it was anything but smooth.*
On April 12, 2013, the Lakers were on the verge of missing the playoffs.
It would be after the Lakers assembled a super team with Steve Nash, Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, and Kobe Bryant, the expectations were sky high.
And perhaps more importantly after Kobe had made a promise to the world.
Throughout his career, Kobe had battled with a reputation of not being a good teammate, of not playing a style that leads to winning basketball, and that season, being overpaid, whether he still had it.
The NBA world was roasting the Lakers, at the all-star break they were 25-29, and asked if he could “get it done”.
Kobe made a declaration "It's not a question of if we make the playoffs. We will. And when we get there, I have no fear of anyone -- Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Denver ... whoever. I have zero nervousness about that,"
The Lakers are above 500 just barely, tied for the 8th seed. It’s a must win game but Kobe can’t buy a shot.
Steve Nash exits the game with his recurring hamstring injury. Kobe is also dealing with foot problems, but despite his own injury, Kobe tells Mike D’Antoni “I’m not coming out tonight”. The LAkers are down 12 in the second quarter and Kobe gets to work
Making several passes, drawing a lot of fouls, and grabbing boards. Doing everything and being a threat to bring the Lakers back. He was patient, methodical.
Kobe would play 47 minutes and 37 seconds, end with 19 points, a career high 14 assists, 9 boards and the Lakers win. Yes 14 assists because that’s what was needed to win.
The next game (April 2 vs Mavericks) against the Mavericks, 23 points 11 rebounds 11 assists 4 steals 2 blocks playing over 47 minutes. Then (April 5 vs Grizzlies) 24 points 9 assists in 43 minutes, another win.
Kobe was getting physical therapy in timeouts, commercial breaks just to play nearly every minute.
But despite Kobe playing 47 minutes in their next game (April 7 vs Clippers) dropping 25, 10, and 7, the Lakers would lose.
*Everything Kobe had been doing in the past 6 games led to the day* Kobe fooled the entire world, the day he finally was able to prove everyone wrong, but it would come at a cost. It’s the Lakers vs Warriors (*April 12 vs Warriors)*, the Lakers are the 8th seed but only one game ahead of 9th.
Baby Steph has 22 points in the first quarter including 4 3 pointers, 32 points in the first half. He is scoring in every way possible, off the dribble step backs, catch and shoots, pick and rolls. He definitely impressed Kobe and Kobe was sluggish, not scoring a single point in the first, 3 turnovers. But he was determined. He played every minute of the first quarter and he wasn’t looking to sit in the second.
He comes out firing
This is a Baby Warriors team that is 6th in the West, they are a solid team.
But Kobe break’s Klay’s ankles
In the third quarter, Kobe drives past Barnes
As Kobe laid on the floor, the entire arena went silent, everyone preparing for the inevitable. Everyone knew Kobe had pushed himself beyond his limits. This had to be it. Kobe was emotionless. He hit the free throws and he was back to playing like nothing had happened.
And then Kobe drives, double clutches, and begins limping
Both of Kobe’s legs were hurt, he had nothing left to stand on but his own will. And yet, he still didn’t come out. Kobe was battling father time, battling the limits of his own body, the quitter allegations, the can’t win without Shaq statements
The Warriors are still up, Steph is on fire, Klay is heating up, and the Lakers need every bit of Kobe to keep the team a float. Him just being on the floor is putting pressure on the defense, Klay has 5 fouls.
The Lakers take a timeout and Kobe is struggling to walk back to the bench
At this moment, Kobe has torn his achilles, an injury that is a death sentence for athletes. And even then this is what he said was going through his mind.
Kobe labored his way back to the free throw line, just to give him a chance to keep playing in the game. And as he’s shooting the free throws, Kobe is stoic. Not a word, barely an expression, just focused. He makes both, the game is tied, and eventually with some help walks to the locker room.
Kobe had pushed his body to the absolute limit for the sole purpose of winning, trying to play two full games back to back. People remember the moment of him tearing his achilles and coming back to the free throw line, but what they don’t remember is the accumulation of what Kobe did for the Lakers.

[@mj2kallday]

What is your favorite Kobe moment?

[@StephenTommyCurry30]

April 13th 2016 Mamba speech mamba out live on brother

[@user-sw5qs1dy3n]

Tbh, my favorite moment was when we got him in L.A. We truly needed the Black Mambab 🖤

[@bigbangbasketball]

Him not flinching when matt barnes fake passed

[@harsharocks9643]

On my mom birthday back in 2012 when he took over in double ot against the baby thunder.Also the game where ketta world peace elbowed james harden

[@KobeKid248]

So many favourite Kobe moments. Ones that come in mind is his last game dropping 60, Achilles Tear game against Warriors, and Kobe vs Wolves passing MJ all time scoring list in 2014. Thank you for the memories Kobe #mambaforever 💜💛

[@RyeAkai]

Watching Kobe's 2012-2013 season was one of the most amazing and most inspiring things I've ever watched. It was also one of the toughest things to watch in my life. I'll never forget when he was constantly falling to the ground in that fateful game against the Warriors and I was in twitter having to swallow an idiot laughing at Kobe saying he was flopping, exagerating and that he was a diva (of course, he went dead silent when the actual achilles tear happened). The way he willed his team to the PO even at the cost of pretty much his career is one of the most impressive moments I've ever witnessed. R.I.P. Kobe, it's still hard to accept you're gone.

[@bigbangbasketball]

Mad respect for kobs playing thru intense pain

[@KtośInny-k9l]

I think Kobe is last REAL SUPERSTAR who truly love the game and give all

[@Wemby73]

@@KtośInny-k9lpretty much every nba player other than that bum Ben Simmons love the game it takes hours upon hours to make it to the nba

[@carlmarvin4629]

I feel sad when people nowadays disrespected Kobe Bryant game especially the sport analytics. But nba players would rather choose kobe over LeBron.

[@chadbushell]

This a common error in sports. Ppl focus on stats and trophies/titles too much and not the overall contribution.

[@bigbangbasketball]

Disrespecting kobe’s clutch gene is cray

[@onepiece6529]

Some even choose Kobe over Jordan

[@RogueCheepSheep]

Klutch sports propaganda and persistence on pushing the LeBron being the GOAT debate by downplaying legends before him.

[@rockysalvatore435]

@@carlmarvin4629 it's curry and LeBron fans

[@member00970]

I appreciate you keeping his memory going

[@michaelbarnes2126]

That 2013 stretch for Kobe was insane. That was the most locked in I was into watching him. He was incredible, the best thing about it was his mentality. He started at point some nights and was doing everything for the team taking over the offense and defense. Not just scoring but getting assists, finishing defensive possessions with rebounds and being the point of attack defender. Those 2 games before the Warriors game he was masterful with his shot making. Watching that Warriors game was sad live on TV but I didn’t even know it was last time we saw a healthy Kobe. R.I.P. to one of the GOATs and top 5 greatest ever

[@JayzoTheNextKobeBryant2.0]

My Legendary Childhood GOAT R.I.P Kobe Bean Bryant

[@forsaken7976]

Top notch video bro. One of your best of all time. A great recount of the Mamba’s best moment. Even standing among Legends, Kobe stands out. 💜 24

[@rockysalvatore435]

@@forsaken7976 this was the as game he scared LeBron away too wasn't it

[@HeebzMedia]

I was at that warriors game. Those free throws and the pray for the bear post hours later were the most inspiring sports moment I’ve ever witnessed. Your content should be goated. You’re a real one. RIP Kobe

[@cappy2282]

Kobe was back when grown men played the game

[@midnightlumina7]

Kobe tells us what makes you great isn't the accolades, the stats or even the awards. Kobe tells you that being great is becoming the best you could become. Of all the GOAT candidates his story is built like a greek myth; one of triumph, falls and bittersweet endings. That alone makes him remarkable as an athlete.

[@kingjunkyview]

Kobe is one of the few athletes that transcend the sport. He was the epitome of what it means to be a professional

[@user-be7tc2bd6e]

Him and Jordan,but,MJ did it first tho.And Kobe modeled himself and his game after Jordan,even how MJ handled the press.

[@andreiebajan5399]

Kobe played with his whole heart for sure🔥

[@xavzerrek2743]

Video is 24:08 long.... wow

[@rockysalvatore435]

👁️

[@bigbangbasketball]

Divinee

[@brauprx]

That game against the Warriors, Kobe shooting free throws on a torn achilles, that helped me a lot when I went through an open heart surgery and a stroke after that kept me in the hospital for a month and a half, two years ago. Every time the nurses and doctors went to get blood samples or change the intravenous drip, every time that pain was involved I just thought "you can hold this, Kobe went through a lot of pain, you can do it too for your own good". Mamba Mentality helped me get it done and out of the hospital on my feet. RIP Kobe.

[@ZoeTinsley]

Glad you was able to use his mentality to get through your hard times may God bless🙏🏾

[@user-be7tc2bd6e]

So glad you willed your self thru that trauma and health issues,I salute you. I too went thru some issues myself,during my 2nd deployment to Iraq we got hit by a-MEAN-ambush while on a routine patrol ( lost 8 of my friends ) myself and another sgt ( he doesn't want his name used ) got flown to Ramstein Air Force hospitol in Germany.I stayed there 3 1/2 months ( the other sgt stayed in Germany much longer ) then flown back to Ft Hood,Tx ( since renamed Ft Cavazos ) to be with our rear-d unit at Hood.I had a profile,I couldn't do anything,march,handle a weapon ( my body was messed up ) then had to battle a major who was trying to bounce me outta the army ( dude was really tripping-LOL ) there's more stories to tell about matters at Ft Hood,but,this thread is already too long. Maybe another day tho.And i went on to do another 2 combat deployments to Iraq with Texas Guard infantry units.I volunteered for all of my 4 tours to go fight in Iraq. SEMPER-FI

[@yashm1468]

Bro making mini docs now he’s the goat

[@yousufmohammed3420]

Love how long you kept the duration of the video!!!

[@KyoloFlash]

I know people argue MJ or Bron to be the GOAT, but no one can deny that Kobe had a heroic story. A person who was labeled a villain for years yet he inspired millions across the world and died a Hero.

[@user-be7tc2bd6e]

The only REAL blemish on Kobe's image/legacy was that rape trial/case he went thru.But,it was his own fault tho,should've kept his pants zipped.

[@stickman1037]

RIP MAMBA🙏

[@MikeHawkJuices]

Knowing the odds he faced and the challenges he went through inspires me to be my best. Mamba mentality is forreal

[@forsaken7976]

0:55 Calling this a super team is like calling calling old Hakeem, old Barkley, and old Drexler a super team. 11:15 Most intense defensive Finals game of all time. Refs swallowed the whistle.

[@rockysalvatore435]

Anything to downplay Kobe is fine tho

[@dyingbreed6708]

Downplaying the Dwight, Kobe, Steve Nash and Pau Gasol super team is kinda crazy. At the time Dwight was a top 10 player, Pau was a top 15-20 player, Kobe was top 10, Nash was past his prime but still a top 10 pg in the league at the time.

[@rockysalvatore435]

@@dyingbreed6708 do you have a brain. They didn't even play together. I can tell you're a fan of curry lol. No context

[@rejmaranan6945]

I really didn't understand the hate the media showed Kobe a lot in those days. Yet Lebron's antics go unpunished and they even defend him for all his flopping and drama!

[@g.o.a.t7269]

With all the Kobe hate and slander it's good to know everyone still holds LA's superhero in high regards, Kobe was elite elite elite elite

[@alexkozhemyakin1835]

It's an amazing video, bro! Keep going!

[@Starkaydaboy]

If I see a "Bro fell off" comment I'm going to lose it

[@JetEngine85]

Bro fell off

[@zoominnboomin]

​@@JetEngine85yeah, bro def fell off

[@fanfGameletplay]

Bro fell off

[@chanendlerbong]

Bro fell off

[@Dodgester]

Bro fell off ngl

[@CrazyFoo501]

As a Lakers fan and Kobe guy 2013 was an inspiring season but probably the most frustrating outside the 2008 Finals loss Dwight was coming off back surgery and was never the same player on of that he had shoulder problems, Gasol didn't fit in D'Antoni's model offense who was hired over Phil cause Jim Buss and on top of that missed half the season due to his foot, Nash broke his leg with his leg and the his back was a problem all season long, Metta tore his meniscus later, and even the bench suffered as Blake and Hill missed most the season.Of course Kobe injuring his foot and knee leading to the Achilles Tear ruined our franchise for years. To make matter worse Nash, Blake, MWP, Meeks were all injured in the playoffs. I always wondered what a healthy Lakers team would have look like if we were healthy and didn't have a stubborn coach trying to win his way instead of playing to the strengths of Howard and Gasol.

[@DianaVaskova-g8h8h]

Your videos are always so mischievous and entertaining! Thank you for your sense of humor and your ability to make our days brighter and more fun!⛳️😋🌸

[@nathanprempeh4706]

0:15 And he wonders why he doesnt have a job at ESPN anymore..😂😂

[@allanjaramillo3468]

Making the vid 24 min and 8 seconds is genius 👍

[@Aaron2hungry]

Bruh this was a beautiful fkkn video man.. Kobe was always my favorite bro thanks for this!

[@user-sw5qs1dy3n]

Love you, Black Mamba RIP, with your beautiful daughter, King and Princess ❤

[@jmayso3297]

Great vid, brother. RIP Kobe.

[@Jjhh-n4p]

Omg the video is 24 08 kobes numbers. Incredible

[@ernestosanchez6572]

I love how u tell Kobe's stories

[@mrunmaygosavi3062]

the way you made this video duration exactly 24:08 is phenominal

[@alexgibson2458]

Great episode!

[@SRSEnd3r]

amazing video

[@Julio_14_]

Kobe is the epitome of determination and hardwork

[@cebuseablue]

Amazing video!

[@jvlicious]

Wow. This stretch of Mamba Mentality. I remember turning away from the TV when he made the free throws, knowing that he was done for the season (aaaaaaaand that the Lakers prolly would be swept). But head held high, Kobe and all Lakers fans. Because he kept his promise 💪💪 Also, this would be the time the nickname Vino was heating up. Fine wine but aging nonetheless. What a time

[@julianbartley7766]

Yup no matter what the circumstances are tho still you still tho give it your all in whatever it is that your actually doing to reach your dreams still tho fo realz so yeah!.❤😊

[@michaelmamba1578]

Rest in Peace my goat. Lakers forever, Kobe forever💛💜

[@jackcityy718]

Great video on my goat of the NBA

[@adibuu146]

This man is a life lesson alone ❤

[@GuardVon]

The goat❤

[@Marcusjohn30]

Bro thinks we wouldn't notice that the video was 24:08 seconds long 🐍🤞

[@mrforrest]

I love your content (so this isnt being critical) but something is off with the editing. It's like the chronology is all over the place

[@JMBalabis]

Thank you

[@amirrosen5192]

The true and only goat!!! R.I.P my hero!

[@PeteKay]

damn, the last message near the end by Kobe hurt my heart.

[@trvspvrk]

Kobe will forever be my GOAT

[@AscendedAwakeningAstral]

Kobe in 2k13 was unstoppable

[@cookingwitchefzayy8830]

I love how you ended it on 24:08 🙏🏾

[@axelgiosido4997]

Kobe is the most misunderstood and discredited player of all time He couldn't win without Shaq, yet Magic had Kareem (Both top 10 players), MJ had Pippen, heck Lebron had DWade, AD, Kyrie, Bosh, Love. But I think that speaks of the greatness of Kobe too. I mean if you are expected to win with Smush Parker and Kwame Brown as your starters IN YOUR PRIME, then it just means they know that Kobe could really pull off the impossible!

[@xeon0998]

And then we got LeBron 😢 God we were spoiled

[@milkslayer2406]

This video is 24:08 long nice refrence

[@rejmaranan6945]

Damn this video alone shows how great Kobe is over Lebron. I haven't seen a Lebron highlight were he busted moves in the perimeter like Kobe or MJ does. Leflop is all just dunks and layups.

[@vulgobola1836]

More than enough to make a grown man cry

[@HistorysTimeTunnel88]

Miss Kobe. The NBA last Alpha

[@georgegonzalez1996]

I’ve been a Lakers fan since the West, Chamberlain, Baylor days. I saw Showtime in person at the Forum, I saw Shaq/Kobe and I saw Kobe/Gasol era, (Sadly I also saw too many Smush Parker/Kuami Brown games, but that’s a different story). And Kobe was both a fantastic player, and also a ball hog, bad shot taker and not a team player. He also learned to be a better team player and include his teammates more. And I understand his supreme self confidence. The guy took a lot of bad shots, but he MADE a lot of bad shots. I’m very happy that I actually got to see his greatness in person, but a lot of the criticism he gets, he deserves.

[@KeithVNelson]

The algorithm did you wrong with this one big dawg. I still gave you a like and comment though smh

[@ultimateyagerman]

Why what happened ?

[@KeithVNelson]

@@ultimateyagerman they severely reduced his exposure for this video. It had like 800 views in 5 hours

[@adanpique8169]

RIP Kobe.

[@unhomme1737]

20:44 : Kobe. LBJ : But at the end, it 's just basketball.

[@stevesotherdogg]

I miss when the lakers would just say f it and go all in on defense winning the game like 70-65

[@lululemon0424]

revisting all those media anchors were speaking non sense

[@anubhavvashistha29]

Inspiring asf

[@ArmandoKozomara]

Kobe the best ever with Jordan easily !!

[@bros_him]

bro thought we wouldn’t notice the time of the video

[@anthonysloan2620]

Kobe wasn't ruining the Lakers, the organization was just as it's doing today. Even the great Lebron can't save it and Kobe didn't get to pick the players he wanted.

[@diegochavez6203]

Kobe didnt struggle to get minutes. His coach hated him and his teammates were jealous of him

[@eltonisaque2000]

Time of this video is 24:08 well played

[@pineappleonpizza1596]

I see kobe I CLICK

[@alexatanasie3302]

Kobe is my goat! MJ is black Jesus...two of the very best all time.

[@FlowboyVegas1]

Yall forget how the WHOLE WORLD was treating Kobe the last 2-3 before he retired but i didnt it wasnt all love and admiration then i tell you that!

[@hoosierdaddy5846]

That "super team" was injured all season long. They mightve played 12 games with them all healthy. N I think it's less than that

[@jazenrangel5987]

I see what you did with the time stamp

[@fanfGameletplay]

3000 in 3h Bro felt like Hella😂

[@michaelledbetter2337]

The single most inspirational man to ever walk the earth in my mind ......... MJ may b the GOAT of all around NBA players in the leagues history but MAMBA IS ABSOLUTELY #2 RIGHT BEHIND HIM, I wanna slap every kid I hear even utter LEBRON in the conversation!!!!! Look kid, STFU LEBRON has done a excellent job of following the teams willing to BUY A TITLE throughout his career but I don't even count those rings toward ur measure of greatness.. I hate to burst these kids and king James bubble but I count 1 title Mr. James actually earned and that's his sole title for the Cavs, that was greatness that ring goes on his resume when measuring his greatness THE REST ARE LIKE Inadmissable past criminal charges in a court room they shouldn't b even mentioned because u followed the $ THATS NOT GREATNESS! While we are speaking of the greatest greats to ever pick up a basketball, I got one area I have to place Kobe even higher than MJ as the all time GOAT and that is heart, THAT MAN HAD MORE HEART THAN EVEN BLACK JESUS IN ALL HIS AIRNESS GLORY! MAMBA MENTALITY INDEED AND RIP KOBE BEAN BRYANT, ur a inspirational man and a freak of nature!!

[@dajonjones]

Kobe Bryant was the greatest player of all time

[@Rondelll405]

The goat

[@charlesthompson2281]

Kobe was the best player in the world until he tore his Achilles My goat

[@qdontae6]

That Kawhi thing really pissed me off because the mf had 1 iconic season and more clutch? Yeah ok Kobe #2 all time under Mike foh also remember Shaq couldn’t win without Kobe as a leader of a team

[@markjae6716]

Kobe was misunderstood for his entire career, that's for sure.

[@juwanlee3339]

lol Kobe on dame as a rookie and also Kyrie gots to be special

[@tusharmaniktala]

Video Duration - 24:08

[@onepiece6529]

Kobe is the GOAT. Man is unreal 🐐

[@rockysalvatore435]

@@onepiece6529 yep. That 2010 roster would make curry and LeBron cry of they had to carry that. No spacing

[@onepiece6529]

@@rockysalvatore435 People do not realize Kobe eliminated 4 50+ win teams that postseason. Only 2 NBA teams ever done that. 94 rockets, 2001 Lakers & 2010 Lakers. 29 6 & 5 in the playoffs top 6 with most assist in a game with 13 assists. Only shooting guard in the top 6 as the top 5 are point guards. Rondo, Steve Nash, & Deron Williams. Top 4 in most 3pm in a game with 6 behind Ray Allen and Jason Richardson in the postseason. Top 1 in total points (671), top 3 in PPG (29.2ppg), top 3 in total assist (126), top 3 in total steals (31), and top 2 in total 3pm (49). Only player to score 600+ points in 3 consecutive postseaons and only player to record 600+ points , 30+ stls and 30+ 3pm in 3 consecutive postseaons.

[@Letsgo1234-iz1dy]

@@rockysalvatore435u sound goof curry doesn’t need spacing to cook stop talking ball

[@nomercyinc6783]

yeah. only americans are watching the nba closely. people that arent fans of players dont follow players they dont care about. people not kobe fans didnt give a shit about what kobe did

[@kaksmirknight5318]

If your saying UGLY for 83-79 win in Boston V Lakers NBA finals then you.don't like the golden standards of NBA Basketball. That's how the game should be played. No open lay ups dunks with out being hurt if your the O player. That's real man Basketball! I got to play in the mid 2018 againts these cup cakes new generation of players who were slenders taller than me and love 3s all I got to do is just don't give them an inch whiled deffending them and laterals so they could not get a shot. Wow! 8-11 blocks againts these 6-2 above cup cakes! That's Silver implemented that 3 feet away D so the Ste fakes the lame lillards the so called shooters can shoot. Bigget faster stronger? Nahhh!

[@bigbangbasketball]

Like if you still have your NBA 2k17 Kobe poster

[@blacmamba9665]

I love Kobe but yall gotta stop with the lebron comparisons, lebron is a overall better player than Kobe and this is coming from a Kobe stan who hated lebron when he was with Miami.

[@achilles4017]

haha very funny joke

[@williammorin9930]

24:08 I see what you did there 😏

[@hezzi3283]

They didn't deserve the GOAT

[@godblessed4ever501]

MAMBA GOAT

[@zoominnboomin]

Hi! 👋

[@zoominnboomin]

Hi!

[@zoominnboomin]

Hi!

[@zoominnboomin]

Hi!

[@zoominnboomin]

Hi!

[@zoominnboomin]

Hi!

[@CheapStudios-]

I see what you did by making the video 24:08 minutes long

[@georgewashingtoniv8745]

I wonder if he took it personally when he sold himself for fame?

[@mohammadnaderkhamse2546]

24:08

[@crocobaur5407]

Trying to pretend he never quit on his team is funny

[@armansingh2616]

MAMBA

[@hichrisperry]

Kobe > Bron. Argue with a wall.

[@AscendedAwakeningAstral]

Only super about that team was super injured super old super only Kobe