Kobe Bryant Video: Power Ranking His 10 Most Unbelievable Plays
Kobe Bryant's 10 most unbelievable shots are not easy to select.
The Black Mamba has created tremendous NBA highlights for more than a decade-and-a-half. He had a great one last night against the Suns (see the next slide). But it wasn't one of his 10 greatest.
To choose the top 10, the answer must be yes to at least one of these four questions.
1) Was it an unbelievably athletic move?
2) Was it an awesome dunk?
3) Was it a game-winner?
4) Was it in a playoff game? A finals game?
Last Night Versus The Suns
1 of 11What do you think? Was this one of the best?
No. 10: Plowing Over Steve Nash
2 of 11When: 2006 NBA Playoffs
When you're 6'6" and you're Kobe Bryant, dunking over a 6'3" point guard isn't that impressive.
But when it comes in the playoffs and the person you are dunking over is the reigning two-time Most Valuable Player, it deserves to be on this list.
No. 9: Plowing Over Yao Ming
3 of 11Dunking over Steve Nash, the league's two-time MVP, is impressive. But Kobe also dunked over a man one foot, three inches taller than Nash.
Kobe's ups are pretty remarkable. Remember the video where he jumped over a speeding car? But how about doing so in a game over a behemoth like Yao Ming.
Clearly, Kobe is an equal-opportunity embarrasser, whether it's over a tiny point guard or an enormous center.
No. 8: Again Kobe Trumps Nash
4 of 11In Game 4 of an opening-round series against the Suns, Kobe lobbed a floater high into the air over Boris Diaw to send the gmae into overtime.
With seconds remaining in the extra period, Kobe had another critical shot, this time to end the game.
No. 7: Lifetime Ago At Lower Merion High
5 of 11It's hard to say that one of Kobe's greatest moments didn't come while wearing a Laker jersey.
But, in terms of pure athleticism, this one might be tops.
He was just a 17-year-old kid.
Plus, back in the mid-1990s, the J.R. Rider between-the-legs dunk was huge!
No. 6: Off Balance, Near Half-Court Three
6 of 11Who cares that this came in the second quarter of a regular season game against a team that doesn't even exist anymore?
There's even a bit of Michael Jordan from the 1992 NBA Finals in him here. Even he cannot believe that went in.
No. 5: The Reverse Jam
7 of 11This kind of play is incredible, no matter if it's in practice, in an exhibition, in the NBA finals or in the driveway.
Simply incredible.
No. 4: A Four Point Play In The Finals?
8 of 11Kobe is the master of leaning into defenders to draw the foul. So this play should come as no surprise.
But if it comes in the NBA Finals, a four-point play is special. Watch how hard he works just to get open for a split second.
No. 3: Kobe Rejects His Airness
9 of 11If Kobe wants to be considered the best ever, he has to be better than Michael Jordan.
And this play may have come in an exhibition (All-Star) game at the end of Jordan's career. But it was still a great play on the greatest player.
No. 2: Pure Athleticism
10 of 11Everything about this was spectacular.
First, he looked like Lynn Swann catching the pass from Robert Horry (which I guess makes Mr. Big Shot Terry Bradshaw).
Then he went behind the back to avoid Vincent Yarbrough.
Finally, he slams down the 360-degree reverse dunk.
No. 1: A Game-Winning Three Over Flash
11 of 11Yes, it was a regular-season game. But running cross court and draining an off-balanced, game-winning three-pointer over Dwayne Wade?
That has to be considered his finest.
