NBA: Kobe Bryant’s best games against every team

22. Kobe v. Spurs, May 29, 2008 (Western Conference Finals)

39 points (16-30 FG) including 17-point comeback

The 2008 playoffs were an important moment for Kobe Bryant’s NBA career. Having been without Shaquille O’Neal for the past couple of seasons, 2007-08 was Kobe’s first legitimate opportunity to prove he could win a championship as a team’s primary option. He hadn’t been able to do much when the team consisted of himself, Lamar Odom and a bunch of scrubs, but the new influx of talent – namely Pau Gasol – had given the Lakers a competitive roster that still left Kobe as the clear leader.

He now had the tools to position himself among the contenders, and the roster makeup to enable him to remain that contender’s leader. What was left was for Kobe to slay the dragons of the Western Conference that lay in his path.

This game is a perfect example of Kobe Bryant’s killer instinct. The Lakers were on top of the Spurs 3-1 in the series, but the defending champions refused to go down easily. Kobe brought the Lakers back from down 17 with a closeout fourth quarter that effectively squashed the hopes of an unflappable team.

As many do know, Kobe unfortunately lost to the Boston Celtics and their trio of aging stars – Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen – all gunning for a late shot at a title. But this game showed that Kobe had the ability to lead a champion, and the next season proved it.

Next: #21