“I shouldn’t be doing that.” Or how a future superstar believed in herself and challenged Kobe
Artemy Berstenev June 30, 2024, 18:00 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
The young and daring James Harden.
Kobe Bryant is a name that has become synonymous with basketball excellence. Since he entered the NBA in 1996, Bryant has established himself as one of the league’s best players, winning five championships and 18 All-Star Game invitations. His contributions to basketball are measured in more ways than just statistics: his play and his attitude toward the sport have become an inspiration to millions. The guard’s determination and tenacity are exemplary.
A look to the past:
A trade that should never have happened. But the world could have changed if Kobe had gone there.
But even the greatest legends face challenges. Let’s recall the game on February 23, 2012, when the Lakers failed to defeat Oklahoma, losing by 85:100. The Thunder played well at home, while the Lakers tried not to lose ground in the West. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden were the best for Oklahoma, and Kobe Bryant did everything to help the Lakers win, but it didn’t happen. The Lakers and the Thunder met again in the playoffs that year, with young Oklahoma sweeping the series in five games.
In the final stretch of the aforementioned game, when the score was 94:81 in favor of the locals, James Harden scored a triple. His verbal attack on Bryant caused tension; In response, Kobe, without losing his dignity, recalled his five championship rings, an achievement that not everyone can boast of. The exchange was captured on a video that recently surfaced on social media, in which Bryant noted with characteristic confidence: “You shouldn’t do this. Look, you’re not in the right league to argue with me. “I have five more championship rings than you.”
The video can be seen on the LegendZ Productions YouTube channel.
When the Thunder faced the Lakers in the playoffs, Harden took over. The Thunder had gained experience and the Los Angeles club was no longer the great champion. Oklahoma outscored the Lakers 4-1 in the series, reaching its first conference finals, where it defeated San Antonio but then fell to Miami in the final series in five games.
Bryant and Harden have a 19-game history, and James has a slight edge here with 11 wins to Kobe’s eight. Trading Harden to Houston in 2012 paved the way for nine seasons of achievement and a well-deserved MVP honor in 2018. Lakers legend Kobe retired in 2016 after scoring 60 points in the final game against Utah. This encounter was a brilliant end to the Black Mamba’s basketball journey.
Everything was justified:
Kobe Bryant, 35, and a $48 million contract.
