The most important thing in the NBA after everything else is said and done is to win. Every team starts the season with just one goal, winning a championship. However, every season, just one team can reach that goal. So the players that can drive their teammates to be able to do it with their performances, as well as leadership, are considered to be the greatest ever.
Few come close to Kobe Bryant in terms of how he inspired his Lakers teams. While he had prime Shaquille O’Neal as a partner in crime for his first three rings, Kobe was indisputably the best player and the leader for his next two rings with the Lakers. And he managed to make it happen despite the Lakers at times putting players around him that were nowhere near the same level.
Things also got worse for Kobe towards the end of his career. Injuries had robbed him of some of his best attributes and the Lakers had some truly terrible rosters at the time. He ended up having to take up the load and lead a few youngsters. This led to the odd hilarious moment, something he experienced with Jeremy Lin during the clutch in a game against the Grizzlies during the 14-15 season.
During a close game against the Grizzlies in 2015, Bryant cut the lead to one with 24.2 seconds on the clock by burying a three. With the Lakers needing to have another opportunity to make a shot, they needed to foul. Jeremy Lin was guarding Mike Conley, but despite Kobe’s insistent yelling, he didn’t foul, leading the Mamba to take matters into his own hands.
The foul ended up being a good one, with Conley missing his second free throw, but the Lakers couldn’t make their free throws to tie the game up, leading to Memphis winning 100-106. The play showed in microcosm just how committed Kobe was right till the end of his career. There truly might not be another like him again.
