Kobe Bryant was on a mission against the Denver Nuggets, matching a season-high 31 points while cutting up their defense with his passing in the third quarter. The Los Angeles Lakers were down by as many as 21 points, but a second-half charge filled with vintage moments from the Black Mamba led to one of the greatest bench moments in recent memory.
Kobe took his man off the dribble, drove toward the paint, planted his pivot foot and twirled around to hit a tough jumper with his defender in his face. It was a beautiful shot -- a showcase of the kind of footwork that's defined the second half of his career and haunted defenders. The bench reaction, though, was perfection. Roy Hibbert' was the art of the ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ shrug come to life, Larry Nance, Jr.'s shimmy would make Antoine Walker proud, and ugly Lakers sweater fan gave the air punch of a lifetime.
There's so much to love here that it deserves it's own place on the Internet, forever. Without further adieu:
Kobe Bryant drains a clutch jumper, Lakers give us a priceless...Kobe Bryant's still got it! He drained a clutch shot to seal the LA Lakers' victory over the Denver Nuggets, and the bench reaction was PRICELESS.(Courtesy of Time Warner Cable SportsNet)
Posted by Silver Screen and Roll on Tuesday, December 22, 2015
That's how you not only complete the comeback victory, but leave a lasting memory for the Kobe Bryant farewell tour. Thank you, Lakers, for delivering some joy heading into the holidays.