HANG TIME HEADQUARTERS – One championship wasn’t enough for the Shaquille O’Neal-Kobe Bryant-led Los Angeles Lakers. After securing their first, topping the Indiana Pacers for the crown after the 1999-00 season, they ground up the competition on their way to their second straight title.
They lost just once, to Philadelphia in the NBA Finals, the entire postseason.
Bryant was just a pup then, 22 and five years into a stellar career with a penchant for the spectacular … which explains why so many Lakers fans gravitated to his electric game.
But make no mistake, he was absolutely fantastic during the regular season, averaging a then career-high 28.5 points per game. He took his game to another level in the playoffs, though, averaging 29.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists (the latter two remain his playoff career highs).
Bryant’s highlights from the 2000-01 season rank among his finest to date, this is the ninth installment of our Kobe’s Top 10 Plays series. You owe it to yourself to take a look (with apologies to Bob Sura, Vlade Divac, Tyrone Hill, a young Dirk Nowitzki and all of Kobe’s other victims):
We will take another look at the Black Mamba’s Top 10 Plays every day until the 60th NBA All-Star Game, Feb. 20 at the Staples Center, where Bryant will be on center stage.
He’ll have to pull out some serious tricks to top what we’ve seen here, though.
For an in game dunk these are just about as good as MJ’s. Outside of MJ’s rocking the baby they are just as good as anyone!! In Kobe’s youth, I personally think he dunked better than LBJ. LBJ does basically the same dunk over again and again. He just tomahawks them in all the time. Very little variety!!! Many that’s why he wasn’t ever in a dunk contest!
Amen, brother!!!!
Brian shaw seems to feature a lot on the assists. Good to have that understanding when he becomes the next head coach eh
To the comment on the VIII, why would I hate on myself?, I mean, I am the best.
This is wrong absolute ridiculously wrong ! they need to ban him from nba. way to good to handle lol
Real Talk what he did this year was rediculous!!!!!!
OMG LOL, Seriously, that was just a dunk fest season by kobe… the whole top 10 is dunks, and none is the same, love it.
People forget that kobe is one of the all time best in-game dunker. He elevated like a beast in his young days
The stats speak for themselves. I would love to know Shaq’s stats during the playoffs, cuz Kobe’s own doesn’t imply Shaq had no help and had to carry the team.
Great highlights btw
i havent seen an alley oop as good as #8 in my entire life…. WOW i dont know how kobe isnt said to be one of the best dunkers of all time…
Hard to believe that was 10 years ago. Kobe still is a beast, he just doesnt get airborne as often in the regular season. When playoff time comes he always shows flashes of that bounce in his step
wow im just impressed by kobe skills!!!noo doubt he the greatest ever or second to mj
All i got to say is WOWWWW! Unbelievable dunks!
Having only watched Laker basketball seriously in the past 2 years, I am amazed that Kobe is the same player as the Kobe now. Young Kobe could REALLY elevate when he needed to throw it down. I watched the other one with Kobe in his 06-07 season and he could still get up and throw it down. His handle was supreme then as always, able to lose defenders with a simple crossover.
I wonder if Kobe can still get up this high these days. I believe he had a dunk on Noicioni this season that was nice, but its nothing like this. Did MJ at 32 posterize people alot? Or was he like Kobe now where he only posterizes when he needs to.
The funk. The whole funk, and nothing but the funk.
there is 100 better dunkers than kobe in the nba, stop lying to yourseft about this guy , he is a great player but that is it
He was Robin in LA when SHAQ was there, you Kobe fans are angry because you know deep inside , he got pretty short
of being the greatest and HIS STATS ARE NOT THE BEST. HE HAS BEING TRAILING SOME PLAYERS OF THE 2003
DRAFT, HE IS ONLY IN THE DISCUSSION BECAUSE THE LAKERS HAVE WON.
Get a life, dude. If you don’t like Kobe which is stupid, why you are here anyway? Here is only Kobe’s greatest hits, nothing else.
I won’t say there are 100 better dunkers than Kobe. You’ve got to put Kobe in the top 10, maybe even top 5 dunkers. Jordan was the most graceful dunker I’ve ever seen. That rock the cradle dunk, you don’t see anyone doing that. I still don’t consider Jordan the best dunker however. I gotta give that title to Vince Carter, followed by Dominique. Their in-game dunks were just off the charts! Plus they brought alot of power. Also, I’ve got to include Dr.J, David Thompson and Connie Hawkins. So I guess Kobe is in my personal top 7. Ranking them I’d have it as Vince, Nique, MJ, Thompson, Doc, Kobe, Connie.
Francisco, stop somking funny stuffs. haha ediot!!!
That is why i’m not surprised in what LBJ ,D-wade or others do because kobe has done all of that.
@francisco
Read the article before you make a comment. You only show how stupid you really are…
This Francisco guy has yet again proven that he is just another hater. Plain and simple. He has been posting in all the Kobe’s Greatest Hits blog. He follows Kobe everywhere. He reads and watches everything about Kobe, then posts his hate. That is what you call a bandwagon hater. LMAO!
Man Kobe is a beast didn’t you read those numbers in the finals were higher than his numbers in the regular season he averaged 29 points a game with Shaq those together unstoppable that year! Plus he averaged CAREER highs in the finals in assists and rebounds that season! What is wrong with all of the haters out there do you think it doesn’t take more than one star to win a championship look at the Celtics they have FOUR of them. That’s why Lebron is in Miami he wants to win a championship that is why he is with D-Wade! Kobe is still the best in my opinion though he is just learning how to be more effective without getting banged up all season long he almost has more minutes already than MJ did in his entire career. Black Mamba in the playoffs.
THE GREATEST PLAYER IN THE NBA CAN NOT BE A 45% SHOOTER .YOU GUYS ARE DEGRADING THE NBA
Good point. Kobe’s best year shooting was 46%. Lebron and Wade have had seasons shooting at or near 50%. Michael Jordan AVERAGED 50% his entire career.
and jordan had 45% shooting seasons. Not only that but he had an era between shaq and gasol that he had to take every shot.
Jordans the best ever bar none. But stop hating o kobe. No matter what you say, you sound stupid.
@francisco
I understand what you saying. All those STATS are nice to know. At the end of the day beyond those stat people are going to judge by RINGS. Mj and Kobe did things like scoring assist drive will to win dunks clutch shots or whatever. All that means something but RINGS put you over the top. Beyond all that greatness player still will be judged by RINGS. I understand your point. Kobe coming out of High school is amazing. Also what a player does in their era can separate yourself from current greats at that time. All I am saying people may not remember all those lovely stats MJ had or kobe. BUT THEY REMEMBER THOSE RINGS.
RINGS ARE A COLLECTIVE ACHIVEMENT. STATS SHOW MORE OF THE INDIVIDUAL AS A PLAYER. KOBE HAS
NOT WON ANY RING THE LAKERS HAVE AND ALL PLAYERS IN THE TEAM CARRY A COPY. LOOK KOBE GREATNESS RELY IN LONGEVITY AND PEOPLE BRING THAT INTO THE DISCUSSION. HE HAS BEEN GREAT
FOR 11 OR 12 YEARS EXCLUDING HIS FIRST TWO SEASONS, BUT THERE ARE OTHER PLAYERS WHO HAVE BEEN
GREATER THAN HIM FOR 7 SEASONS(LEBRON AND WADE) AND STATS(REALITY) SHOW IT.
IF lebron go through a whole nba career and not win a ring what are you going say. Look at Karl malone and people say dam he got all those stat but NO RING. Not to take away from greatness. Last time i check your goal every season is to win a championship. They call Tim Duncan the greatest power forward ever. Dude got four ring and maybe not better number than Karl Malone but he lead his team to 4 ship. Stats are not to know but overall you still will be judged on RINGS and then stats. Kobe has clearly been the best since MJ left. Give the guy credit from coming out of HIGH SCHOOL and being the legend he is TODAY. I bet you a lot of hall of famers would love to have kobes career. Kobe maybe shot 46% compared to 50% wow 4% differences.
THAT IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE DUDE , IF YOU EQUATE THAT TO A TEAM OF KOBES AGAINST A TEAM OF JORDANS , jORDANS TEAM WILL WIN FOR 12 TO 14 POINTS
KOBE AND SHAQ
This kobe and shaq thing needs to rest. This is clearly like taking pippen from jordan. Pippen in the NBA finals in 91 had to play great defense on Magic because jordan foul trouble. Do pippen get credit for being a great defender and all around player? Yes he should. Anyone remember game 7 WCF 4th quarter Lakers vs Blazers 2000 Lakers were down by 17 i think. It was Kobe who brought his team back and took LA to the finals. It was Kobe who at the end through a Alley-oop to Shaq to maybe go up 4 points. It was Kobe who was not scared to take the Clutch shot against utah in 98-99 even though he missed. Shaq was a beast no doubt but when the game in on the line 4th quarter it was Shaq on bench due to poor freethrow shooting and Kobe clutch again and again. Clutch also can come in the form of defense, passes, rebounds, shots, free throw, and so on. Not to take anything from shaq. I bet when you think of Shaq he got 4 ring and maybe not his horrible free throw shoot huh? Please dont discredit Kobe or Shaq rings. They needed each other. Finally, guess what IT WAS PHIL JACKSON WHO CAME IN AND TONE KOBE AND SHAQ GAME TO MAKE THEM ELITE PLAYERS. Everyone have a blessed day.
oh men………!!!! dunks… alleyops….. u r my fav all the way Kobe!!!!
oh yeah… one more thing… i think all the debate should really stop… some of you post really something nonsense… come on.. this is Kobe Greatest hit… not Kobe Greatest Player of All Time blog…. can we just enjoy the clips??
Vlade Divac, Dirk Nowitzki, Tyrone Hill got owned there by Kobe..
and Allen Iverson is LOST in there.. as always.. LOL
Francisco could you please do us all a favor and NAME 100 better dunkers??? I would find this list very interesting after watching this clip of KB’s especially after that dunk when Shaw passed it on the opposite side of the hoop and Kobe still dunked it. I mean come on man!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JizL1n1siM&feature=related
where is kobe? hahahahahahah
I don’t understand why Francisco makes a big deal about KB’s shooting % or anyone for that matter. KB has taken 4000 3-point shots. MJ only took 1778. He simple wasn’t that good of a 3-point shot until 3/4 of his career was over. I mean he averaged 37 points and only took 62 3-point shots. Now wonder he shot 50% he only took 2-point shots. He simply didn’t have the range that KB has. If you put MJ at 4000 3-point shots he would have ended up only shooting about 46ish% or so. So, I don’t understand why no one ever brings this point up. MJ really had no range. I mean for the most part. Sure he made some good long range shots but nothing like KB.
lebron takes as many 3 as kobe and still his shooting percentage is much better than kobe. good point dude but still there is a huge difference at 2 points shooting %, kobe shoots 48.3 , michael 51 % , michael took like 6000 more shoots
michael last two season with washington hurt his shooting % a lot, kobe has to experience that yet unless he retires young. remember also that kobe received also the benefits of being a young player under the umbrella of SHAQ
who was always doubled team which made kobe life easier.
Man i wish i could be more like Kobe………
@francisco
Dude why dont you just go to hell you are one annoying person did anyone ever tell you that cause if youve never heard it so far in your life youve been lucky cause you truly are an annoying bitch if you dont like kobe stop watching everyone of his bloody videos or do you just like torturing yourself douche bag, you keep watching or at least commenting on every video posted which is just lame and loserish i mean if it was one video id say fine but all ten REALLY !
francisco. Curious, do you even watch LBJ or D-Wade? Ask ANY (not yourself) basketball analysis and LBJ’s and D-Wade live by going to the hoop outside of taking 3′s most of all their 2′s are too the basket. Which is one reason why as a team against them you WANT them to take jump shots!! (Outside of this season) LBJ’s has always shot a pretty bad % of 3 and D-Wade has never been that good. This is the main reason why Celtics have so far beaten them because they simple can’t get to the hoop as much and they live with their jump shots. So, it’s a good and bad thing I mean when you live going to the hoop, you will have a little better % but over all easier to defend if you can plug up the paint like the Celtics can. By the way, (if you numbers are correct I will have to do the math myself) 48.3% and 51% is amazingly close I mean come on! The little that is left 3% can be explained from the simple fact that MJ played in a different era plus played a lot closer to the basket than KB. Playing with Shaq helped KB yes but shooting % it just hurt him. Think about it, there was a big guy clogging the lain all the time. It simply made it harder to get to the basket with him in the game. I don’t know what you have against KB. But I guess their we always be haters. Why? I don’t have a clue. And I am still waiting for 100 better dunkers?
i doubt he can even mention 4 the gigantic loser that he is i mean yes vince carter is a better dunker doesnt mean much seeing as vince carter is the best in game dunker even nba dunker to ever live including dominque wilkins. who else LBJ please if i see another identical tomahawk slam by that guy im gonna vomit but he does have the hops to do whatever the hell he want in the air but he chooses to do the same stupid dunk,Who else d wade not really he is fast and jumps quite high but doesnt really do much other than simple normal dunks he just does them on 7 footers heads,demar derozen please watch highlights of him hes like lbj yes he can take it to the hole but not much variety once there, carmelo anthony seems more aged than kobe already, josh smith sticks to alley oops and not even fancy ones i havent seen him in a top ten in quite a while that leaves us with instead of 100 better dunkers about 4 vince carter,j.r smith,shannon brown and blake griffin(who also does mainly the same type of dunk)and then as usual mj as you can see im giving these ppl the props they all deserve and still youre not left with much competition for kobe bryant who fyi at age 32 soon to be 33 still dunks alley-oop over 7 footers and 360s just does them more infrequently but at age 32/33 has more variety than LBJ. so please francisco go to hell
Watch Lebron in High School. Through the legs in traffic? Enough said!
Let DWade & LBJ win the dunk contest….and that is enough said
Kobe said what an MVP means, “it’s what the brilliant writers decide”…hahaha. The best player in the world knows what matters most and proves he will be the best ever (now is still Jordan unless overtaken be Bryant) through winning finals MVPs and Championships. Steve Aschburner should resign…The marketing agent of Lebron James and a writer who have a real dislike against Kobe Bryant. I don’t know if he feels threatened that Jordan (maybe he’s also a fan of his) maybe overtaken by Kobe. Aschburner is the guy who said that “who remembers championships?” in determining the best ever….wow, is this a real brilliant and experienced writer. The NBA should fire this guy.
BLAKE GRIFFIN can makea top 30 plays which will all be dunks in a whole season.
NEW DUNK KING! BALKE GRIFFIN!
PS: Kobe has crazy hops, now he wont show it everynight because all of us know tht high flyers goes down first. so thts why Kobe is being smart and just make the game easy with his JUMPSHOT skills