Bryant provided Lakers fans with countless memorable moments in his 20-year career wearing the purple and gold, whether it be game-winners, 50-point games, championship performances, or moments that went beyond the game like knocking down a pair of free throws after tearing his Achilles tendon, but which one was the most memorable?

In honor of everything that Bryant gave Lakers Nation, for his 45th birthday we decided to do a special roundtable in which our staff shares their favorite Kobe Bryant moments ever:

Matthew Moreno (@Matthew__Moreno):

My favorite Kobe Bryant moment is probably all of them. But, needing to pick one and for the sake of trying to be different, I’ll bypass his final game and shooting free throws on a torn Achilles for a memorable night against the Raptors. … No, not that one.

In March 2013, Bryant scored 41 points on an efficient 11-of-22 shooting, and dished out 12 assists to lead a comeback and 10th straight win for the Lakers. His heroics began on a contested 3-pointer that cut the Raptors’ lead to two points with 1:41 remaining in the game. The degree of difficulty on that shot end up paling in comparison to a fadeaway he wound up making from the corner.

The barrage continued when Bryant beat a double team out of a timeout to free himself for a 3-pointer that eventually sent the game into overtime as the Raptors missed the final shot of regulation. The extra period didn’t see much from Bryant in terms of points, though he punctuated the night with a slam dunk to give the Lakers a decisive lead.

Corey Hansford (@TheeCoreyH):

Someone like Kobe Bryant has so many memorable moments that it’s easy for some of them to be forgotten. One of my personal favorites is one that isn’t brought up that often.

The Lakers were the clear favorites to come out of the Western Conference in 2010, but they got a much tougher than expected challenge in the Conference Finals from Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers had a 3-2 series lead, but the Suns were fighting hard to force a Game 7 back at Staples Center.

The Lakers led 105-100 with 45 seconds left and everyone knew where the ball was going. Suns forward Grant Hill played absolutely perfect defense as he forced Kobe to pick up his dribble right at the three-point line and didn’t fall for his pump fake. But it still didn’t matter as Kobe rose above him to hit an absolutely ridiculous fadeaway to silence the crowd.

And just for good measure, Kobe turned around and patted Suns coach Alvin Gentry on the butt.

Everything about it was just so, Kobe. To have the confidence to take a shot that difficult in that situation, the skill to knock it down, and the audacity to basically taunt the coach of the team you just eliminated from the playoffs, no one else could pull something like that off. All I could do was laugh because I knew Kobe just did it again.

Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane):

There are so many great Kobe Bryant moments to choose from, it’s hard to narrow it down to just one. However, the one that I remember most was the regular season finale in 2004.

With the Pacific Division title on the line, Kobe had 12 points in the fourth quarter, including an incredible game-tying three over Ruben “The Kobe Stopper” Patterson. Kobe wasn’t done there though.

With 1 second on the clock in double overtime and the Lakers down two, Bryant again drained a three over outstretched hand of Theo Ratliff to get the win. It was an amazing shot, turning into his strong hand, fading away, nothing but net. To this day I have no idea how he was able to get so much arc on that shot and still get it to the rim while falling away.

It was an incredible display of skill and superhuman strength. He was so unbelievably good that Patterson, whose career centered around defending Kobe, went to his nemesis after the game and asked Bryant to autograph the shoes he had worn and give them to him. Classic Mamba.

Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand):

So many moments to choose from but I would say my favorite Kobe moment is his last game. After all the injuries that Kobe was forced to deal with towards the end of his career, for him to give us all one last vintage-Kobe performance was truly special.

We hadn’t seen Kobe score more than 40 points in years before that game, so when Shaq challenged him to score 50 in his last game we all laughed it off, saying we just hoped he would get to 30 and not get hurt.

But Kobe, in a fashion that only Kobe can, one-upped us all by dropping 60, knocking down every clutch shot down the stretch, and leading his Lakers to one last comeback victory.

The pre-game tributes, his performance that night in the game and his speech afterward where he coined the phrase “Mamba out” were all absolutely perfect, almost like a movie, and watching it all unfold is something I will remember for a very long time, more than any other moment in his career.

The James bobblehead is to commemorate the veteran for being the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. James is set to a mini scene, dressed in the jersey of the three teams he’s played for: Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Lakers.

Among the details of the James bobblehead is the length of his beard increasing to represent the passage of time as he’s posed in a slam dunk. James is set atop a wood-themed base that features “NBA All-Time Scoring Leader” across the bottom.

FOCO previously released a bobblehead when James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the leading scorer in NBA history. Additional Lakers bobbleheads still available are a set with Anthony Davis, a Lakers City Connect theme and one that highlights his remarkable court vision, among other options.

The Hood-Schifino is in recognition of being taken by the Lakers with the 17th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Hood-Schifino is holding a No. 1 jersey, like on Draft night, and wearing the same red cap from the momentous event.

Since being drafted by the Lakers, Hood-Schifino played in the Las Vegas Summer League and signed a shoe contract with Adidas.

Why did Lakers draft Jalen Hood-Schifino?

Hood-Schifino is unlikely to be relied on to play a key role for the Lakers, but believes he possesses key traits that were of value to the Lakers.

“I think when I met with them just my personality, the way I was genuine,” Hood-Schifino said.

“Just the way I acted, I think that caught attraction and then obviously they watch film and see you play and things like that. But I think just my character and the way I work. I’m always gonna bring it every day. I’m a high-character kid and I want to learn. I’m a sponge so I think really just my work ethic and my habits.”

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

The trade would forever alter the course of Lakers history, as Abdul-Jabbar went on to win five championships with the franchise. The deal was completed eight months after he informed the Bucks of a desire to be traded.

Upon meeting with members of the Bucks front office in October 1974, Abdul-Jabbar had won one championship with Milwaukee and wasn’t long removed from carrying the team to a Game 7 loss in the 1973 NBA Finals.

And while his trade to the Lakers saw unparalleled success, it did not begin that way. The Lakers finished 40-42 and missed the playoffs in their first season with Abdul-Jabbar.

It wasn’t until 1977, when the dominant center won a fifth MVP Award and the Lakers returned to the playoffs after being on the outside looking in for two consecutive years. Three straight trips to the playoffs resulted in heartbreak for the Lakers.

The arrival of Magic Johnson via the No. 1 overall pick in the 1979 NBA Draft helped push Abdul-Jabbar and the Lakers over the top. They won the NBA Finals that season, with a rookie Johnson famously filling in for Abdul-Jabbar in the clinching Game 6 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Abdul-Jabbar continued to play at a high level in 1981, averaging 26.2 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game. He was named to his eight All-NBA First Team and his fifth All-Defensive First Team, but the Lakers were upset by the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.

Abdul-Jabbar and the Lakers returned to the NBA Finals the following year, again defeating the 76ers in six games. Then after consecutive losses in the Finals, the Lakers embraced a ‘Showtime’ approach in 1984 and went on to win three more titles.

Abdul-Jabbar was named NBA Finals MVP in 1985 for the second time in his career. He became the oldest player in NBA history to win Finals MVP, and the 14-year gap between his two trophies is also the longest ever.

The Lakers won back-to-back titles in 1987 and 1988, and the 1989 season was the last for Abdul-Jabbar. He averaged just 10.1 points per game and shot under 50% from the field for the first time in his career, but it didn’t matter in the big picture.

The Lakers tried to send him out on top with one last championship, but injuries decimated them in the playoffs as they were swept in the NBA Finals by the Pistons.

Abdul-Jabbar retired as arguably the most accomplished basketball player ever. He is a six-time NBA champion with two NBA Finals MVPs and six regular season MVPs. He also is a 19-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA First Team selection, and five-time All-Defensive First Team selection.

Abdul-Jabbar additionally was a two-time scoring champion, four-time blocks leader, and won the rebounding title in 1976. He remains the NBA all-time leader in points, field goals made and minutes played; and also ranks fourth all-time in rebounds, third in blocks, and second in games played.

The Lakers honored Abdul-Jabbar by retiring his jersey on March 20, 1990, then immortalized with a bronze statue outside of Staples Center on Nov. 16, 2012.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

While the new millennium saw the Lakers win five championships in 11 seasons, it began with a legendary performance against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals.

Prior to the historic series, the Lakers needed all five games to defeat the Sacramento Kings and get out of the first round, but then took care of the Phoenix Suns easily in the second round.

That set up what amounted to a grueling seven-game series with the Trail Blazers, who were considered by many to reach the favorite to reach the NBA Finals. While the Lakers had a 3-1 series lead, the Trail Blazers won Games 5 and 6 to set up a deciding seventh game at Staples Center.

The Game 7 is iconic in Lakers lore because of the remarkable comeback that took place in the fourth quarter. The Trail Blazers had been in control for a majority of the game, and after three quarters, led 71-58.

Shaquille O’Neal had oddly disappeared in the first three quarters, entering the final 12 minutes with just 9 points on 2-for-6 shooting.

With just over 10 minutes remaining in the game, the Trail Blazers led 75-60, and Lakers history would forever be changed with their performance for the rest of the way.

Over the next seven minutes, the Lakers went go on a 15-0 run to tie the game at 75, eventually taking the lead at 79-77. The game was essentially iced by one of the most famous plays in Lakers history, a lob from Kobe Bryant to O’Neal to give the Lakers a six-point lead with just over 40 seconds left.

L.A. finished the game on a 29-9 run, winning 89-84, putting the Lakers in the 2000 NBA Finals with one of the greatest games in franchise history.

The Lakers would go on to defeat the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals, setting them up with the first of three consecutive championships.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

Both players are in action poses with a basketball in their hand, and Johnson is dressed the Lakers’ gold uniform while James is outfitted in the purple look. Johnson’s and James’ names are displayed on the front of the base and the Lakers logo is affixed behind them.

The Lakers Then and Now bobblehead stands 5 inches tall and will not be restocked once quantities sell out.

FOCO previously released a Johnson bobblehead to commemorate the NBA 75th anniversary, and a variety of James models have been sold as well.

Johnson won five championships with the Showtime Lakers and became a beloved member of the organization. His post-playing career has included becoming Lakers president of basketball operations. However, Johnson’s tenure as a Lakers executive came to an abrupt end and included critical comments of the front office and organization.

Johnson has since been extremely complimentary of Lakers owner Jeanie Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka as the team pursues their 18th championship in franchise history.

Meanwhile, James has further added to his legacy in a fifth season with the Lakers. James and L.A. currently are up 2-1 over the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Semifinals. They have an opportunity to take a commanding leading over the defending NBA champions on Monday night.

Lakers playoffs schedule

Game 4: Monday, May 8, 7 p.m. PT, TNT
Game 5: Wednesday, May 10, TBD, TNT
Game 6* Friday, May 12, TBD, ESPN
Game 7*: Sunday, May 14, TBD, ABC

*If necessary

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!