Kobe the Leader: Defers - FTW FTC

[daddyfivestar]

On 3 of the most critical baskets of the season, Kobe gave up the rock.

- down 5 with 38 seconds left, Kobe took it at the teeth of the Magic D, 1 on 4, spin moves into the paint drawing all four defenders and... Goes up for a wild layup? Nope. Drops it to the trailing Pau for a slam (way to run the floor big fella!) And a must-have deuce.

- down 3 with 11 seconds left, Kobe takes the inbounds as the double team comes and... Tries to split it and go for the game winner himself? Nope. Passes out to Ariza wings it to DFish for the tying 3.

- score tied at 91, 34 seconds left in OT, Kobe takes the ball high post elbow as the Nelson double comes and... Tries a high degree of difficulty fade away jumper to take the lead and self-glorify? Nope. Kicks it to DFish for the actual game winner 94-91.

He mightve been 11 for 30 or whatever but when it counted most he deferred to his mates and the Lakers won.

[J08]

this is why i think stats are overrated.if you didn't watch the game and looked at the stats you think kobe Bryant had a very bad game but he didn't.He controlled the game and took the shots that Orlando gave him.

[Tee212]

thank you for this post, i hope that what kobe did down the stretch would not go unnoticed...those are "clutch" plays that will never show up in the clutchness shot category that wins you games.

[Trifecta7]

Good points. That was an amazing move Kobe did to get Gasol the dunk.

I have to chuckle when people say Fisher bailed Kobe in the clutch. Two games ago, he was criticized for not doing that.

[KObe Bryant]

I did not cheer at all with the Gasol dunk because I thought it was over. Good decision , anyway.

[Pablo Escobar]

also kobe fouling d12

[Gervin]

also kobe fouling d12

yep that foul gave us a chance at the win

[daddyfivestar]

also kobe fouling d12

+1
Thanks for point that out ILL, that was huge in light of the fact both Gasol and Ariza stepped out on the shooter (who then fed Dwight) and it was Kobe who had to rotate in from the wing corner where Pietrus was camped.

If Kobe doesn't 1) rotate at all or 2) foul hard enough to prevent the And-1, it's game over.

[snaquille oatmeal]

also kobe fouling d12

I saw Kobe covering Howard in more than one play, did Lebron ever cover Howard in the ECF?

[daddyfivestar]

- down 5 with 38 seconds left, Kobe took it at the teeth of the Magic D, 1 on 4, spin moves into the paint drawing all four defenders and... Goes up for a wild layup? Nope. Drops it to the trailing Pau for a slam (way to run the floor big fella!) And a must-have deuce.

Re-watched this on DVR like 100 times. Hedo is perhaps the laziest or slowest player in the league and probably lost the game right here.

After the Fisher rebound and pass out to Kobe, Gasol and Hedo where together in the paint.

They started running after the play and crossed the FT line together.

As Kobe angled toward the key with the ball, Gasol had gained a step on Hedo at Half Court.

"Between the circles" (as Chick used to say) Gasol keeping churning, while Kobe is starting his spin move.

At the top of the key, Gasol is running hard and Hedo is a full 1 1/2 to 2 strides behind, while 4 Magic players can reach out and touch Kobe.

At this point I think everyone thinks Kobe is going up with a crazy shot...
Shard pulls back to box out LO coming in from the wing for offensive board crashing. D12 is prepping for a weakside block opportunity. Pietrus, trailing Kobe, has reached in and missed on the spin move while Nelson is leaning away from Kobe to avoid bailout foul call.

If Hedo had kept running hard with Gasol, Kobe has no option to dump it for Big Bird. But Hedo doesn't and Pau has a clear path at the FT line as the drop pass hits his hands.

Super freaking incredible play, pass, dunk, and fundamental breakdown by Turkeyglu.
Back to 1 possession with 30 sec left.

[Tee212]

is fish kobes steve kerr?