Kobe's epic blowout losses in elimination games

[Rupert Murdoch]

Game 6 of the 2003 Western Conference Semifinals- Lakers lost by a score of 110-82 to the Spurs

Game 5 of the 2004 NBA finals- Lakers lost 100-87 but the game was not indicative of the final score. Pistons were leading 82-59 after three quarters and the Lakers got a bunch of points in garbage time to make the score look more respectable.

Game 7 of the 2006 Western Conference First Round- Lakers lost 121-90 to the Suns.

Game 6 of the 2008 NBA finals- Lakers lost 131-92 to the Celtics

Game 4 of the 2011 Western Conference Semifinals- Lakers lose 122-86 to the Mavericks

Four losses of 25 points or more and it would have been five if the Pistons hadn't taken their foot off the gas pedal. Has there ever been another superstar player and all-time great with as many blowout losses in elimination games as Kobe Bryant has?

[Yangsing]

Close out with clutch style.

[Sache]

[amb1ent]

Game 6 of the 2003 Western Conference Semifinals- Lakers lost by a score of 110-82 to the Spurs

Game 5 of the 2004 NBA finals- Lakers lost 100-87 but the game was not indicative of the final score. Pistons were leading 82-59 after three quarters and the Lakers got a bunch of points in garbage time to make the score look more respectable.

Game 7 of the 2006 Western Conference First Round- Lakers lost 121-90 to the Suns.

Game 6 of the 2008 NBA finals- Lakers lost 131-92 to the Celtics

Game 4 of the 2010 Western Conference Semifinals- Lakers lose 122-86 to the Mavericks

Four losses of 25 points or more and it would have been five if the Pistons hadn't taken their foot off the gas pedal. Has there ever been another superstar player and all-time great with as many blowout losses in elimination games as Kobe Bryant has?

and here i thought shaq was the man on those early laker teams. which is it, cuz you can't have it both ways.

[BooRadley]

Luckiest player ever in terms of talent surrounded around him.

[Xandre]

OH RRY?

[3LiftHeatCurse]

Yes, we know. Kobe is overrated, it's not news.

Looks like Kobe had another terrible game today.

Pau Gasol not there to bail him out this time, though. Gasol has a bad series = sweep.

[darth_federer]

This will end well

[turtlesnjoi]

Take that Mike.

[Dr Pepper]

Basketball's a big man's game?

[TJJJ]

Always closing with a bang.

[Eshai]

You cant win em all. How many blowout close-out games has he been on the winning side of?

5 rings trumps a few blowout losses, imo.

[3LiftHeatCurse]

Luckiest player ever in terms of talent surrounded around him.

This right here summarizes Kobe's career rather nicely.

He was done being a "champion" until the Lakers somehow grabbed Gasol for Kwame Brown.

[postaboy84]

Still the 2nd best SG in NBA history behind Jordan.

[_nokturnal]

[MaliBrah]

leave him alone

[3LiftHeatCurse]

You cant win em all. How many blowout close-out games has he been on the winning side of?

5 rings trumps a few blowout losses, imo.

2 rings.

The first 3 were on Shaq's back.

Actually, many fans make a case that the last 2 were on Pau's back, too. Kobe shooting 6-24 and still winning?

Look at this series. Pau has an "off" series and the Lakers get swept, while Kobe continues to shoot horribly.

[Walid]

Kobe is not the only player on the Lakers.

[5DOM]

Luckiest player ever in terms of talent surrounded around him.

This right here summarizes Kobe's career rather nicely.

He was done being a "champion" until the Lakers somehow grabbed Gasol for Kwame Brown.

Yo the luckiest player ever is actually your Dwyane. He got to play with Shaq himself, and later actually decided to team up with LeBron and Bosh. But then maybe they don't even win the championship, so I guess we won't know if he's THAT lucky

[3LiftHeatCurse]

Still the 2nd best SG in NBA history behind Jordan.

Wade will finish his career ahead of Kobe.

and I still don't buy that Kobe > West.