Image Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Remembering Kobe Bryant on Birth Anniversary: Top 5 plays of Kobe Bryant’s NBA career

On Kobe Bryant's 47th birth anniversary, let's dive into his top plays from his 20-year long career.

Image Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Kobe Bryant was a legendary figure in NBA history who died on January 26, 2020, in a tragic helicopter crash in California. The league renamed the All-Star MVP Award in Bryant’s honor. He was also voted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020.

Bryant won five NBA championships for the Lakers and was an 18-time All-Star. He was the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), and a two-time NBA Finals MVP. Kobe ranks fourth in league all-time regular season and postseason scoring.

On Kobe Bryant’s 47th birth anniversary, let’s dive into his top plays from his 20-year long career:

5. Left-handed 3-pointer vs. Mavs

Kobe Bryant pulled off a great comeback for the Lakers against the conference rivals, Mavericks. He made a left-handed 3-pointer to beat the buzzer.

Kobe with your typical left-handed 3-pointer to beat the buzzer. #BestOfLakersMavs pic.twitter.com/6ISQ2YX30v
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 15, 2020

4. Layup shot over four defenders vs. Spurs

Kobe Bryant was always unpredictable for his opponents when it comes to shooting. He produced a crazy layup shot through four defenders against San Antonio Spurs in a game in 2004. Who would have thought about passing to a wide open guy for the corner 3? It was just incredible play from Kobe.

(2004) Kobe with one of the craziest layups you'll ever see. Through FOUR Spurs defenders.

Just ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/3PN1HnEUdS
— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) April 23, 2019

Also Read:

3. Double buzzer-beater vs. Suns

Kobe pulled off two buzzer beaters in the same playoff game against Phoenix Suns in 2006. His dunk helped Lakers to tie the game at 90 points and match went into the overtime where Kobe made another buzzer-beating shot to win it 99-98.

Kobe Bryant's buzzer beater against the Suns during the 2006 playoffs 🚨 pic.twitter.com/0fwUK8HulB
— Fastbreak Hoops (@FastbreakHoops5) December 31, 2024

2. Kobe-Shaq combo vs. Trail Blazers

Kobe Bryant and Shaq O’Neil won three Championships with Los Angeles Lakers. It was one of the best shots they attempted against the Trail Blazers. Kobe lobbed it to Shaq for an alley-oop dunk and Lakers came back from 13 down in the 4th to beat Portland in Game 7 of the conference final.

"Kobe on the move.. lobs for O'Neal for the dunk!"

#9 on @KobeBryant's Top 10 Plays! #Kobe40 pic.twitter.com/Mn7aWCzozy
— NBA (@NBA) August 24, 2018

1. Kobe dunked over Yarborough

Kobe Bryant’s poster dunk over Cleveland’s Vincent Yarborough is the best play of his career. Robert Horry made a long pass and Kobe dropped a smooth dunk in just three steps.

(2003) One of the best Kobe plays ever. So damn smooth with it. 🗣 pic.twitter.com/uln0DNaBPY
— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) September 4, 2019

Image Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Kobe Bryant

NBA

NBA Top plays

Gulshan Sharma

nba

soccer

wnba

A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.