2. The Alvin Gentry Love Tap
The 2010 Western Conference Finals series between the Lakers and Suns is one of the more memorable ones in recent playoff history. The teams split the first two games with the Lakers escaping in Game 5 on a Ron Artest putback at the last second. Game 6 was a chance for Los Angeles to shut the door and earn a second consecutive trip to the NBA Finals on the road in Phoenix.
Kobe played a brilliant game throughout, scoring 37 points with six rebounds and three made threes, but what he did late in the game was legendary. The Lakers led 105-100 with under a minute to go when Kobe went to work. He held the ball, seemingly trapped in the corner with Grant Hill draped all over him and the shot clock winding down. After a few pump fakes, which Hill did not bite on, Bryant elevated and hit an impossible turnaround right in front of the Suns bench.
For good measure, the Mamba turned around and gave Phoenix Head Coach Alvin Gentry a little tap on the butt—and all Gentry could do was laugh. The incredibly difficult shot sealed the game and a second consecutive Finals berth for the Lakers.
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