Former Boston Celtics star Kendrick Perkins highlighted Kobe Bryant’s greatness saying he was glad that the Black Mamba won his fifth NBA championship when the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Celtics in the 2010 NBA Finals.
“That’s why it hurt me,” Perkins said on Showtime’s All The Smoke. “And then having to sit out Game 7 and watch us have a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter, and the Lakers walk that s*** down to win the championship, and watch them celebrate on the home court, and was having to walk through the stadium hearing all the s***, bus ride back, going to the plane, the s*** decorated with LA gear…”
“But let me tell you something. Kobe was 6-of-24 that game, but this was how bad he wanted it. Every team that won their game in that series won the rebounding battle. Kobe had 15 m***********g rebounds at the two-guard position. That’s another testimony to his greatness. Because people always think everybody wants to talk about the scoring, but in that game, he was off, but he would do whatever it takes to win. I have no what if’s. I’m glad he got his fifth.”
Kendrick Perkins Speaks on Kobe Bryant's Will in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals (2023)
"I have no what if's. I'm glad he got his fifth."
Funny how nobody mentions the leading rebounder in that game. pic.twitter.com/u1XbNpD7li
— 𝘾𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙎𝙝𝙪𝙗𝙝 ⁶𓅓 (@OVOLakeShow) June 18, 2023
Perkins’ memory was spot on when he spoke about Kobe’s shooting struggles in what was the most important game of the series. He was indeed 6-of-24 from the field, but he influenced the game with his rebounding as he had 15 of them. The Black Mamba was the highest scorer with 23 points, of which 11 of them were from the charity stripe, as the Lakers won 83-79.
The feat was instrumental in earning him the Finals MVP. In the subsequent championship celebration, the Black Mamba was named Finals MVP – his second consecutive, for averaging 28.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.1 steals.
Perkins may have been sidelined in the game, but he did make a valid point in the aftermath. Kobe wanted the win so badly, that he looked for another way to make an impact, and it ended with him winning his fifth NBA championship.
An NBA Fan Explained Why Kobe Bryant’s Fifth Championship Was His Best
Earlier, Paul Pierce reasoned that Kobe Bryant’s fifth ring was his best as it came with Pau Gasol. And one of the NBA fans used this to supplement his argument as to why Kobe’s fifth title was the most iconic.
Speaking on All The Smoke, “Yep, doing it without Shaq,” Pierce said. “We had four All-Stars, do you know that? He was the only All-Star, him and Pau Gasol, but he toughened Pau Gasol up. Because of that first final, we ran through Pau Gasol… He made him a Hall-Of-Famer.”
The fan further added to this: “When I say that Kobe won back-to-back without a top 75 player, this is what I’m talking about. This wasn’t Earvin playing with Kareem or vice versa.
“This wasn’t MJ playing with Pippen or Bron playing with Wade, Bosh, Irving, or Anthony Davis. Pau was a good dude but those rings were Kobe’s and that ’10 ring should be held up as one of, if not the greatest of all time…”
Clearly, Kobe was on a whole other level when he played in the 2009 and 2010 NBA Finals. He was pivotal in making Gasol grow into his own while elevating his performances as well. And the rest, as they say, is history.
And the fact that he’s earned praises from two Celtics’ players — a team and players the Lakers and Kobe had an intense rivalry with, that’s respect right there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85nBQ_AoRwk
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
