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ESPNTheMag.Com Presents: All-World Power Rankings

What is Kobe Bryant's greatest playoff moment?

by Ben Shaevitz

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Happier times.

KOBE'S GREATEST PLAYOFF MOMENT EVER? WE'LL GO WITH THE ALLEY-LOB TO SHAQ

What is All-World Power Rankings?

He hung 40 on the Nugs in Game 1. If he does something similar tonight -- lights out, George Karl. So, with Kobe on the verge of another Finals appearance (man, are we gift-wrapping this series or what?), we decided to look back on his best playoff moments ever. If there is anything about these rankings you'd like to talk over with us, shoot us an e-mail.

TOP 5
RANK (YESTERDAY) WHAT WHY
1 (145) THE SHAQ ALLEY-LOB As many dazzling scoring plays as Kobe has had in his playoff career, it was his assist to Shaq in 2000 that goes down as the most memorable. This was the loudest explosion by the crowd in recent memory at Staples Center.
2 (102) THE BOMB IN RIP HAMILTON'S GRILL Down 3 with seconds remaining in Game 2 of the 2004 Finals, Kobe hit a 28 footer in Rip Hamilton's grill to tie it.
3 (84) THE OVERALL GAME 7, 2000 WCF PERFORMANCE In Game 7 against the Blazers in 2000, a 21 year-old Kobe establishes himself as an all-around playoff performer: 25 points, 11 rim-cleaners, 7 assists, and 4 blocks as the Lakers come back from 15 down in the 4th quarter and earn a trip to the Finals.
4 (71) DOUBLING UP ON THE SUNS IN '06 In Game 4 against the Suns in 2006, Kobe's doubles up on late game heroics: once at the end of regulation, and once more in overtime.
5 (920) NICKEL-ZERO, IN A LOSS Against Phoenix in 2006, he goes for 50 of the most unbelievable playoff points in recent memory in a losing effort.

HONORABLE MENTION
RANK (YESTERDAY) WHAT WHY
12 (404) HANGING 42 ON THE SPURS Shot after ridiculous shot falls as Kobe has 42 against the Spurs in '04.
28 (99) 39 POINTS IN '03 Down two games to none in the 2003 Western Conference Semifinals, Kobe owns Bruce Bowen en route to 39 points and a Lakers' comeback in the series. (They'd eventually lose, hence this not being higher.)

RISING AND FALLING
MOVEMENT WHAT
THIS SERIES (Time to own 'Melo.)
LAST YEAR'S FINALS (He cannot be happy about this.)


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