Vs. Detroit Pistons – Game 2, 2004 NBA Finals
The Detroit Pistons were the ones that finally dethroned the Kobe-Shaq Lakers at the start of the 2000s. Subsequently, it’s 100 percent fair for Lakers fans to look at the Pistons as the most evil franchise in the entire league (you know, the way many fans in the NBA look at the Lakers because of their success). However, in being dethroned, Kobe wasn’t going to go down without a fight in the 2004 NBA Finals and it resulted in a masterful performance for the ages.
Blue Man Hoop
In what ended up being the Lakers’ only win in the 2004 Finals series that the Pistons won, Kobe single-handedly toppled the Pistons with a supreme effort. In the overtime win for the Lakers, Kobe put up 33 points, seven assists, four rebounds, and two steals. It was absolutely incredible to see him just not let his team lose despite the turmoil that the team was undoubtedly in with he and Shaq having their problems.
Even more incredible was Kobe’s effort in overtime as they pulled away from Detroit on his back. Of the 10 points that they score in the period, Kobe scored or assisted on eight of them to close out the game. It was fantastic effort from Bryant that allowed the Lakers to save face in the Finals.
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