Lakers: 20 Greatest Individual Performances in Franchise History

Shaquille O'Neal (L) and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during the 1st quarter of game two of the NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets 07 June 2002 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. The Lakers have a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. AFP PHOTO/Lucy NICHOLSON (Photo by LUCY NICHOLSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Shaquille O'Neal (L) and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during the 1st quarter of game two of the NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets 07 June 2002 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. The Lakers have a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. AFP PHOTO/Lucy NICHOLSON (Photo by LUCY NICHOLSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty Images)
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13. Kobe Bryant 65 Points, 2007

The Portland Trail Blazers should be added to the list of teams that Kobe Bryant just demolishes almost every time he steps on the floor against. Seemingly, whenever a team has a player they deem “The Kobe Stopper,” Kobe comes out dead set on proving them wrong, and making them look foolish for such a blasphemous statement.

Though Ruben Patterson, the original “Kobe Stopper,” was long gone by this time, the damage was already done: Portland, you were already forever on Kobe Bryant’s list.

This game is significant for many reasons, the first of which being that this was the first of Kobe’s streak of four consecutive 50-point games. Further, coming off of a six-game losing streak, Kobe was willing to do whatever was necessary to get the Lakers off their schneid.

Down by four with under a minute remaining in regulation, Kobe stepped up and hit two clutch threes, including a fall away three close to where he sunk the Blazers so many years before, this time over Zach Randolph.

Then, in overtime, Kobe hit one of his most memorable shots ever over LaMarcus Aldridge, a spinning, reverse pivot three pointer from the corner to give the Lakers a three point lead, ultimately sealing the victory.

Next: Kobe Scores the Most Points by an Opponent at MSG