Kobe Bryant 30 points vs Kings 2001-02 WCF Game 1

May 18, 2002 Arco Arena Sacramento, CA Boxscore: http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200205180SAC.html Statline: 30 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 12-26 FG, 6-7 FT HQ Version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UwucT9Vnsk&fmt=6 The Los Angeles Lakers had won 2 consecutive championships with the ageless Phil Jackson and with 2 of the best players in the game, Shaquille O'neal and Kobe Bryant. Their team chemistery and their offensive execution of the triangle offense had been second to none. No team over the past couple years were able to hang with the Lakers. Yet it seemed as though they would have their pressence as NBA champions challenged this year by the Sacramento Kings. They had already become the favorites to win the NBA championship as they themselves had installed a variation of the Princeton Offense, an offense that had also become seemingly invincible. With 4 years under Rick Adelman, the Kings had matured under the offense and had begun to blossom as the elite team of the NBA. After 2 easy playoff series wins in that 01-02 season, it set the stage for one of the greatest battles of NBA history, the Los Angeles Lakers vs the Sacramento Kings in the WCF. Game 1 was underway as the Lakers showed the Kings who the real champions were. The Laker's adrenaline seemed endless as the Lakers made 10 of their first 11 baskets in the game while Mike Bibby, one of the key pieces of the team, was dormant. Kobe Bryant was the main reason for the Laker's 1st quarter success as he either scored or assisted on 11 of the team's first 21 points. His composure on the court and his oncourt poise was a factor in silencing the Arco Arena, one of the most hostile basketball courts of all time. Throughout the game, as the arena became desperate for a run, Kobe Bryant continually hit decisive buckets down the stretch to stop any rhythm the Kings could have gotten into. Despite continual dominance by the Lakers, Chris Webber keyed a run by the Kings in the 4th quarter to move within 5. The run sent all of the 17,717 Arco Arena into a frenzy. But once again, they had Kobe Bryant to deal with. Bryant knocked down a very timely floating jumper in the lane over the All NBA defensive 1st team member Doug Christie. Christie into 5 fouls, the last one which had been out of sheer frustration. Who could've blamed him, afterall you are guarding the most skilled player of all time. No matter who was guarding Kobe, he had shattered every last defender the Sacramento Kings had. The Kings even tried rookie Gerald Wallace on him without much luck. In the end, the duo of Shaq and Kobe were too much for the Kings to handle. The Lakers won 106-99. Other Notes: -Bill Walton calls Kobe the most skilled player in the game 3 times already when Kobe is at the age of 23. -Kobe had 3 dunks in this game, all in the 1st quarter, 2 of which are overused in mixes. -You will be able to hear the classic NBA on NBC theme song in this video

» View the original video «

YouTube | March 9, 2008

Tags:. .knocked. .guarding. .lane. .factor. .elite