14. Points 15-17; 5:45 Remaining, 2nd Quarter
Nine times out of 10, this is a bad shot in an NBA game. On this night for Kobe, the rules of a normal NBA game don’t really apply because guys aren’t scoring 81 points in single games all that regularly. Bean actually waits for the defender to get a step closer after he catches the ball before putting up the shot. Yet he still knocks it down with ease.
13. Points 29-30; 9:37 Remaining, 3rd Quarter
Going back to the adventures of Kobe Bryant attacking a defense on the baseline, he actually dribbles into a bit of a trap and a double team here. Rather than pressing, though, he pulls up from an awkward angel to take a shot. Because he’s the most lethal from this spot on the floor, that turned out to not be a bad decision at all as it was all buckets.
12. Points 23-24; 0:51.9 Remaining, 2nd Quarter
It happens super quick, but Kobe’s quickness to get into the lane and then the quickness that he gets the attempt off here is remarkable. Admittedly, there’s probably a bit of luck involved in this shot falling through the net as he put a bit too much power of it and likely wasn’t trying to use the glass from that angle. That being said, it fell through from a tough position and deserves credit for that.
Next: No. 11-9