Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant’s five best performances

4. Game one of the 2001 Western Conference Finals (May 19, 2001)

Kobe Bryant proved every NBA analyst wrong in game one of the 2001 Western Conference Finals. The San Antonio Spurs and their lockdown defense seemed to be the answer to the high-profile scoring led by Bryant and center Shaquille O’Neal. However, the Kobe led Lakers established their dominance centered around a great game from Bryant.

Kobe scored 45 points, hauled in 10 rebounds and assisted three baskets. The Lakers outslugged the San Antonio Spurs 104-90, scoring the most points against the Spurs to that point. the efficiency of Bryant is what led him to such a great performance. The shooting guard shot 54.3% from the field, 50% from beyond the arc and 75% from the charity stripe.

This game would set the table for a dominating Western Conference Finals that led to the Lakers sweeping the Spurs. Bryant dropped a total of 133 points over four games against the Spurs with a +73 plus/minus. This was the culmination of a perfect 11-0 run to the Finals, a Finals that they won four games to one.

While Bryant had already been an NBA Champion at this point, this may have been proof that he could hang with the best the game has to offer. Bryant absolutely picked apart the San Antonio defense that many expected to shut him down. However, the game prior to this game was an even more impressive performance.