Today, Jan. 26, 2023, marks the third anniversary of Kobe Bryant‘s untimely death in the helicopter crash alongside his beautiful daughter Gianna ‘GiGi’ Bryant. The news shocked not only the sports world, but the whole world.
As we reflect on this sad but memorable day, we offer a countdown of the top 10 moments of Bryant’s career.
1. 81-Point Game
It would no countdown without mentioning the night he scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors. The magical moment took place on Jan. 22, 2006, at the Staples Center. Bryant’s scored 81 points, 28-of-46 shooting from the field, with him scoring 27 points in the third quarter and 28 points in the fourth quarter.
17 years ago today, KOBE BRYANT's 81-point masterpiece š
By Quarter: 14, 12, 27, 28
ONLY 18 PTS on Jalen Rose
Lakers down by 18 in the 2nd half
HE outscored TOR 55-41 in 2nd half
Lakers won by 18!Hereās the late great Stuart Scott with the highlights pic.twitter.com/XV0WxSpuRz
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) January 22, 2023
It was the second-greatest scoring performance in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game. Of course, Bryant never let Jalen Rose live down this moment. Rose was playing for the Raptors that night and he was one of the many Raptors tasked with slowing him down that night.
In honor of Kobe Bryantās 81 point game:
A joke for Jalen Rose. He gets it. š« pic.twitter.com/353P1Z71Qi
— Kobe Bryant Stories & Motivation (@kobehighlight) January 22, 2023
2. First All-Star Appearance
Michael Jordan famously put Bryant’s first All-Star appearance in his ESPN “Last Dance” documentary. He described Bryant as “the little Laker boy” in behind-the-scenes footage before the 1998 NBA All-Star game took place at Madison Square Garden. It was the first of many for Bryant as he was beginning to make his mark on the league.
Kobe Bryant's first NBA All-Star Game (1998) pic.twitter.com/1nbE4Xlbcd
— ThrowbackHoops (@ThrowbackHoops) January 19, 2023
3. Jordan Takes a Charge from KobeĀ
Jordan was on the backside of his NBA career when he played for the Wizards, but Bryant still enjoyed playing against him. In one of their final on-court moments, Jordan baited Bryant into a charge and the two laughed about the call afterward.
RIP Kobe Bryant. Still one of my all time favorite videos šš pic.twitter.com/IhphTolQD5
— Mekka Don (@MekkaDonMusic) January 26, 2023
4. Kobe Destroys the Celtics in Game 5 of NBA Finals
Bryant had completed a lot of his NBA bucket list in his career by 2010, with the list including: winning four championships, NBA MVP, All-Star Game MVP, several All-NBA selections, several All-Star selections and winning a title without Shaquille O’Neal.
One thing was still left though, and that was to beat the Celtics in the NBA Finals. Bryant and the Lakers previously lost in 2008, but he avenged that in 2010. His game-five performance gave the Lakers the momentum as the series headed back to Los Angeles with the Lakers having a 3-2 series lead. The team closed the series out in game seven and Bryant captured his fifth title.
Throwback to Kobe Bryant scoring 23 straight points for the Lakers in Game 5 of the 2010 Finals š„pic.twitter.com/pInLs7kl97
— KobeFiles (@KobesFiles) January 20, 2023
5. Kobe Wins Slam Dunk Contest In His Rookie Year
In addition to his great footwork and shooting ability, Bryant was supremely athletic. He has been known for putting his fair share of opposing players on posters as they contested his dunk attempts. He first introduced the world to his bunnies in 1996. He joined a long list of NBA greats to compete in the dunk contest, unlike ‘clears throat’ Lebron James; Bryant would win the contest in 1997, during his rookie season.
3 years ago Kobe Bryant tragically passed away.
Never forget that he won the dunk contest in Cleveland his rookie year at just 18 years old!
RIP Mamba šš½ pic.twitter.com/yfZcOA4vc8
— Barstool Cleveland (@BS_Cleveland) January 26, 2023
6. Mamba MentalityĀ
Bryant was the definition of toughness and that is why the ‘mamba mentality’ phrase fits his personality like a glove. He showed that every single day of his career with his work ethic and ability to get better, even when he achieved all of his goals.
In 2014, he tore his Achilles on a play that he was fouled on but refused to leave the court without making his free throws.
https://twitter.com/kobehighlight/status/1618042723965227008?s=20&t=kfnK2-mUJa1CmAtUGZyL5w
7. ‘Mamba Out’
Bryant called it quits at the end of the 2016 season after 20 years. He gave fans a lot of great moments and capped off an amazing career like only he could. He dropped 60 points to give the Lakers’ fans and the star-studded guests in attendance one final show at Staples Center against the Timberwolves.
Kobe Bryant scores 60 points in his final NBA game
Mamba Outāļø pic.twitter.com/k6vGjCfUPi
— kayde (@NBAkayde) January 17, 2023
8. Soft Like Charmin TissueĀ
His passion never stopped burning even when the Lakers were having some of their worst seasons. In 2013, when the Lakers were going through a rough stretch, Bryant challenged his teammates in practice like he would often do. A famous quote from him was born that day, “āYou motherf***ers are soft like Charmin…Now I see why weāve lost 20 f***ing games.ā
āYou motherf***ers are soft like Charmin…Now I see why weāve lost 20 f***ing games.ā
Kobe Bryant had this epic rant during a Lakers practice 7 years ago today! š¤£ Barkley's response to the rant. pic.twitter.com/NYVoV6dcBC
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 11, 2021
9. Courtside With GiGiĀ
GiGi, the second oldest daughter of Bryant, had a love for the game of basketball just like her father. After retirement, Bryant would often be seen spending more and more time with his family at basketball games, mainly him and GiGi. This particular night, cameras caught the two sharing a moment where it appeared Bryant was breaking down plays and things that were happening on the court. This was also right before the tragic passing of the two.
3 years ago today, Kobe and Gigi Bryant courtside at the Nets game ā¤ļø pic.twitter.com/fD92Ghx3zc
— Kobe Bryant Stories & Motivation (@kobehighlight) December 21, 2022
10. Kobe Embraces LeBron After He Passed Him In ScoringĀ
Bryant was a fierce competitor during his playing days, but he always loved and respect the game of basketball. He shared a great moment with LeBron James when he passed him in scoring. The two hugged and it showed a side of him that people weren’t used to.
3 years ago today – we lost a legend šš
RIP Kobe Bryantpic.twitter.com/nQB1pG94Dx
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 26, 2023