Kobe Bryant 28 points vs GP & Sonics 1998-99 (Tomahawk Dunk)

May 2nd, 1999
KeyArena
Seattle, WA

Boxscore: http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199905020SEA.html

Statline: 28 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, 2 steals, 12-20 FG, 1-2 3 pt

The Lakers had lost 15 of their last 19 games vs the Seattle Supersonics at the KeyArena in Seattle including 3 consecutive. The Sonics were led by Detlef Schremph and star point guard Gary Payton. But the Laker's rising star Kobe Bryant, who was in his 3rd year at 20 years of age and already an allstar, reversed all odds with his all out masterful performance in the 3rd quarter.

Early in the game and throughout the 1st half, Kobe was very quiet and passive taking only 5 total shots making 3 of them. The Sonics had all of the momentum led by Gary Payton who led at the half 44-40.

That was when Bryant unleashed his scoring rampage in the 3rd quarter. Even former defensive player of the year Gary Payton and Percy Hawkins, a solid defensive player, could not stop Bryant's unstoppable jumpshot. Bryant shredded every possible defense the defense threw at him with his scoring ability while the Sonics could only wonder how good the 20 year old kid could possibly be within the next couple years. Watch as Kobe scores 17 straight Laker points in the 3rd knocking down 7 consecutive shots at one point. Sucking the will out of the other team, Kobe outscored the Sonics all by himself in the 3rd scoring 19 points to the Sonic's 13 points. The Lakers led by as much as 73-57 and led 70-57 at the end of 3.

The Sonics were determined to keep Kobe in check in the 4th throwing double teams every time he touched the ball within striking distance. As well as Kobe played in the 3rd, he was field goal-less in the 4th as the Sonics made a furious comeback led by none other than Gary Payton. The Sonics came as close as 4 points but came up short and lost to the LA Lakers at the Key Arena for only the 5th time in 20 games 91-84.

Other Notes: It is also the same game where Kobe throws down a fastbreak tomahawk one handed dunk.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Kobe
• Bryant
• 30
• 40
• 50
• 60
• defense
• lockdown
• 80's
• zone
• 360
• reverse
• 2nd
• half
• consecutive
• Gary
• Payton
• Michael
• Jordan
• fastbrea

[KB42PAH]

Why did you re-up this?

[LakersRule24]

Huh? Didn't reup it at all, probably because youtube is lagging.

[tenike1]

It's really amazing how many things changed for the Lakers from this season to the next. I miss those uniforms.

I think I remember buying a NBA book in elementary school with Kobe's fastbreak dunk from this game.

I forgot about travis knight. knight or kwame? ;-)

[LakersRule24]

Knight=Kwame=Samaki Walker

[joe1nas]

kobe is still pretty quick though

[LuigiLaker]

yeah, it's HERSEY..genius..

[LiLSiCk916]

GP could shut a veteran MJ but he couldnt handle a young Kobe...Hmm makes you think doesnt it.. kobe is the shit...

[ShoProduction2010]

so in this game at age 20 playing with a good team..kobe had his own 15-0 run...very rare u see that happen in games these dayz

[redskins2k]

@lyonslife im sure great to u is lebron going 1 for 2 in the 4th and pasing up shots and losing in the finals, u dumb fag

[lyonslife]

Kobe shoots 40% in the finals for his career... doesn't seem to "great" to me

[RTR9]

Rashard Lewis is that fucking old? damn dident know that wow.

[RTR9]

"Kobe Bryant Knocks it down" Vintage Mike Breen. Dident know he took that quote to the 90s tho lol

[gocelts34n7]

@youknowwatitis seriously, kobe hasnt been good in the playoffs he's been GREAT, like ALLTIME GREAT.

finals he hasnt been as great, he had a tough time in 04 and 08 and was mostly a 2nd option in 2000, 01 and 02 due to matchups and the fact that he was young and shaq was the most dominant and efficient player int he nba....... but 09 and 2010 he was really good, especially 09... definitely comparable in those two finals to some of the finals performances bird or magic put up

[gocelts34n7]

i always thought in 03-04 they shoulda played a best of 7 series in training camp to once and for all settle who top dog would be, kobe was clearly ready by this point to take over, shaq wasnt ready to let him yet and was still in the last year or 2 of his real dominance in his prime

shaq-grant-george-rush-payton vs campbell-malone-fox-kobe-fishe­r

settle it once and for all, alphadog superstar on each team (shaq, kobe) plus an allstar sidekick (malone, payton) and all 10 know/play the triangle

[gocelts34n7]

kobe was pretty quick back then.. good first step... not wade or jordan  or d-rose quick but definitly drexler or dr j or pippen or dominique quick

[jimmychuang]

GP has team defense, Super Sonics was a better defense team only they had weak offense thats why they lost.

All less talented team focus on defense.