Los Angeles Lakers: 30 greatest individual performances in team history

Los Angeles Lakers: 30 greatest individual performances in team history: 17. Kobe Bryant carries the burden

The games on this list feature high scoring numbers and great overall performances. While Game 4 of the 2000 NBA Finals wasn’t a bad showing by Kobe Bryant as he scored 28 points but it was the overall context of what happened that landed it on this list.

Shaquille O’Neal was playing like, well, Shaquille O’Neal. He scored 36 points, grabbed 21 boards and blocked two shots. But just when the Los Angeles Lakers were ready to bring home the win and take a 3-1 lead on the Indiana Pacers, the big fella fouled out at the 2:27 mark of overtime.

Barely able to drink, Bryant simply patted O’Neal on the leg and told him to relax. From there, the 21-year-old took over. Even while playing on a bum ankle, Bryant went to work. He knocked in two jumpers to hold off the Pacers and wrapped up his night by hitting a put back reverse layup off a missed running jump shot by Brian Shaw.

The Lakers went on to win the game to take a 3-1 series lead before closing them out in six. Even on the biggest stage at a young age, Bryant officially showed the world that he was more than just some sidekick.