Everyone who ever played on the same floor or in the same locker room as Kobe Bryant will always remember the Black Mamba with respect. Kobe’s incredible potential was on full display in Game 4 of the 2000 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers, when he was just 21 years old.
On the ‘All The Smoke’ podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue described an amazing moment from that game. The incredible feats Kobe accomplished at such a young age have served as a guiding light for future generations of basketball players.
Tyronn Lue shares inspiring story of Kobe’s dominance
The Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA championship in 2000 for the first time in 12 years thanks to the efforts of a young Kobe Bryant and their victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Former player and current Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue recently told a motivating story about Bryant’s domination in Game 4 versus the Pacers. When Shaquille O’Neal got fouled out, Kobe Bryant stepped up and carried the team on his shoulders. “Shaq fouled out so everybody kind of panicked… He came out and I think he might’ve scored 12 straight. Then he hit that big shot and he’s like, ‘Relax. I got this.'” Lue stated.
"Shaq fouled out so everybody kind of panicked… He came out and I think he might've scored 12 straight. Then he hit that big shot and he's like, 'Relax. I got this.'
Tyronn Lue on Kobe Bryant in Game 4 of the 2000 NBA Finals.
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— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 28, 2023
This game is widely regarded as the defining moment in Kobe’s career, leading many NBA fans and analysts to declare, “that was when Kobe became Kobe.”
Kobe Bryant’s terrible death hasn’t diminished the positive impact he had on the world. With LeBron James back in the fold, Lakers supporters are hopeful that the 2023 NBA season will be the team’s comeback to championship form. For the time being, at least, Lue’s Kobe Bryant retrospectives keep the legacy of the Lakers’ all-time great forward alive.
Did Kobe Bryant, Lakers win the 2000s NBA Finals?
In the historic Game 4 of the 2000 NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers, led by the then-21-year-old Kobe Bryant, won by a score of 120-118 in overtime. It helped them take a 3-1 lead in the series. With Bryant’s amazing effort of 28 pts and 5 asts, the Lakers were able to take the first step towards their ultimate three-peat.
The Black Mamba’s strong will and maturity beyond his years made him an unstoppable force on the floor, helping the Lakers win the series in six games and cement their place in NBA history. Kobe Bryant’s famous career in basketball kicked off with this huge accomplishment.
