What game did Kobe airball?
24 years ago today, Kobe Bryant shot four airballs in 5 minutes of the 4th quarter and overtime in Game 5 of the 1997 Western Conference Semi-Finals. To put things in perspective: Kobe was 18-years old at that time, and the off-night eventually helped him become the incredible player he turned out to be.
Did Kobe choke a 3 1 lead?
As all of you probably know, and for sure all Laker fans know, the Lakers became only the eighth team in NBA history to blow a 3-1 playoff-series lead.
How many shots did Kobe take in his 60 point game?
It wasn’t the most efficient he’d ever been (Bryant completed 22 of a career-high 50 shots), but no one was going to take the ball out of his hands as time dwindled on his NBA career.
Why Kobe didn’t pass the ball?
The Black Mamba was like Michael Jordan in the sense that he didn’t tolerate foolishness taking place at practice. If he saw players goofing around and not working hard on their craft, Bryant wouldn’t pass those players the ball during games because he didn’t trust them.
When did Kobe airball against Jazz?
Before Kobe Bryant became a legend, he air-balled the Lakers out of the 1997 playoffs. In the fourth quarter and overtime, Kobe put up not one, not two, not three, but four air-balls against the Stockton-Malone Jazz in an elimination game for the Lakers.
Has michael Jordan ever blown a 3-1 lead?
Michael Jordan lost 3 times in the first round. Kobe Bryant lost 2 times in the first round + blew a 3-1 lead.
Did the Jazz let Kobe score 60?
At the time many people were suggesting that Kobe was let to score that many points because it was his final game and that Gordon Hayward of the Jazz let him score his 60th by intentionally stepping into the lane before Kobe’s second free throw, just in case he missed it. Bryant had 59 points before that free throw.
Was Kobe a ball hog?
Also, Kobe proved to us he could defer to his own sidekicks, as was the case in 2009 and 2010, when Kobe led the Lakers to consecutive titles. As well, anyone who can honestly say with a straight face Kobe was a ball hog in the seasons in between Shaq being traded and Pau Gasol arriving is full of it.
How many air balls did Kobe Bryant have?
Four Air-Balls
Lakers: How Four Air-Balls Helped Make Kobe Bryant a Playoff Legend. Coming up short in his rookie year helped propel Kobe to playoff glory. Coming up short in his rookie year helped propel Kobe to playoff glory. Before Kobe Bryant became a legend, he air-balled the Lakers out of the 1997 playoffs.