Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant’s best game against every team in NBA

Kobe Bryant’s best game against the Philadelphia Sixers – Kobe shuts down Iverson in Game 2 of the 2001 NBA FInals

Everyone remembers Game 1 of the 2001 Finals when Allen Iverson scored 48 points and stepped over Tyronn Lue on his way to upsetting the Lakers. What often gets lost, is that in Game 2 Kobe made sure that did not happen again, and he helped hold Iverson to 23 points on 10-of-29 shots from the floor.

Not only was Kobe one of the best clutch players on offense in his prime, but he was also one of the best defenders to play the game as well. His stepping up to the challenge and stopping one of the quickest players to ever play the game is a testament to how many different types of players he could defend and ultimately shut down.

To go along with his two blocks and two steals on defense, he also scored a game-high 31 points, had eight rebounds, and dished out six assists as well. He also had a jawing match with Iverson late in the game (shown above) and Iverson’s frustration was evident, and at that point, the Lakers and Bryant had the mental advantage in the series.

The Lakers ended up cruising to a 98 to 89 victory, and this win lead by Bryant helped catapult them back to their winning ways and they won the Finals in five games. Game 1 of the series was the only game the Lakers lost in the playoffs that year, and Kobe made sure it did not happen again.