Kobe Bryant's Most Memorable Performances: The Black Mamba Stage (2005-2008)

After Shaquille O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat, Kobe Bryant was given full reign on the new-look Los Angeles Lakers.

It was rough with teammates like Smush Parker and Kwame Brown listed as starters. But somehow Bryant used that opportunity to make history and seal his legacy.

The number of remarkable Bryant moments since then has been unbelievable, It's difficult not just to sit back and simply say "wow."

Wow.

That's the only way to describe the Bryant who reared his head in the immediate post-Shaq era. We were all truly in the presence of greatness.

3) March 16-23, 2007 vs. Various Teams

65, 50, 60, 50.

During this string of games that consisted of home games against Portland and San Antonio, followed by back-to-back games in Memphis and New Orleans, Kobe did what only one other player has done in NBA history.

Second only to Wilt Chamberlain who scored 50-plus points in 32 consecutive games, Kobe dropped 50 or more in four straight games, all of which resulted in wins.

The Golden State Warriors finally "shut him down," holding him to 43 the next game to cap a five-game win streak of historic proportions.

2) December 20, 2005 vs. Dallas Mavericks, Staples Center

The 2005-2006 season was special for Bryant, who went on to average a career-high 35.4 points per game.

Along the way he did something that might never be witnessed again.

He was able to single-handedly outscore the entire Dallas Mavericks team through three quarters, scoring 62 points to Dallas' 61, giving the Lakers a 95-61 lead going into the fourth.

Say all you want about him being a selfish player; but when you can produce amazing feats like this and still lead your team to a win, I think you earn the right to hog the ball a little bit.

1) 81

With his team trailing 71-53 in the third quarter, Bryant turned it on. He already was having a great night, having scored 14 in the first quarter and 12 in the second.

But that wasn't enough. The Lakers needed more and there was no one who could provide it except No. 8.

What followed was a scoring barrage by Bryant that Lamar Odom described simply as "incredible." He led his team on a 38-14 run, scoring 27 points to put his Lakers on top 91-85 going into the fourth quarter.

With no intention of giving up the lead, Bryant added an additional 28 points. He finished with 81 before walking off with 43.4 second left to a standing ovation from the Staples Center crowd.

That performance placed Bryant second only to Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game on the all-time list of points scored in an NBA game.

Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson, who coached Michael Jordan to six championships and added another three to his resume with Shaq and Kobe, was quoted after the game saying, "I've seen some remarkable games, but I've never seen one like that before."

Kobe's final stat line: 81 points, 2 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block, 28-46 FG , 7-13 3pt FG, 18-20 FT

Honorable Mention: 2006 Western Conference First Round, Game 4 vs. Phoenix Suns

Not quite "The Shot," but I'd say it's pretty close.

With the Lakers holding the series advantage at 2-1, the Suns were looking to tie it up at two apiece with the series heading back to Phoenix for Game 5.

But Kobe had other plans.

His last-second buzzer-beater from the right elbow gave the Lakers a 99-98 victory and a seemingly insurmountable 3-1 series lead.

Honorable Mention: 2007-2008 MVP Trophy Presentation

After 12 years with the purple and gold, Kobe was rewarded with his first MVP trophy following the 2007-2008 NBA season.

This could turn out to be the only MVP trophy he receives in an NBA career now in its 16th season.

But one thing I've learned from watching him play is never to underestimate him, even for a second.

Not quite a "performance" so to speak, but it's still worth mentioning.