23. Points 36-38; 7:40 Remaining, 3rd Quarter
There’s definitely a closeout and contest on this three-point attempt from the top of the key for Bryant, but the defender made the pivotal error of allowing Kobe to catch the ball in rhythm and go up. As he was getting into the zone that he was in for the game, if you allowed him to catch the ball with any kind of space that allowed him to get a shot up, it was going in. It’s impressive, but nothing too special individually.
22. Points 5-6; 5:08 Remaining, 1st Quarter
This shot is actually less contested than the previous one, but I put this one a little higher in the ranking because of when the shot actually took place in the game. This was before Kobe had started catching fire and was just trying to keep the Lakers afloat. It may seem trivial, but that matters in the context of this game and puts this shot slightly higher.
21. Points 33-35; 8:15 Remaining, 3rd Quarter
It was at this moment where anyone who was actually watching this game live should have noticed that Kobe wasn’t going to be stopped—even if the degree to which that was true could almost never have been predicted. The confidence with which Kobe pulls up from long range is just supreme, even with a hand in his face as he puts up the shot. It was him entering the zone, though it may not have been wholly impressive on its own.
Next: No. 20-18