Oscars ‘Slapgate’ Perpetrator Will Smith and Wife Jada Smith Once Hogged the Limelight During Kobe Bryant’s NBA Finals

The NBA Finals is one of the most popular sporting events annually. And when you get the chance of seeing two historic rivals square off, it is always great for the sport. The 2008 NBA Finals had the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics competing against each other. It was after over 20 years that these teams were facing each other in the finals. And all the eyes were on Kobe Bean Bryant.

It was finally Bryant’s moment, and he was ready to not let it go.

Kobe Bryant and Lakers after Shaquille O’Neal

During the offseason of 2004, Lakers were facing an enormous problem. They had to choose between one of their superstar duo because they weren’t ready to work together. Ultimately, they choose Kobe as the future of their franchise and they traded Shaq to the Miami Heat.

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But it was not a smooth ride for Kobe afterwards. From being perennial contenders and reaching four NBA Finals in five years, the Lakers saw their contention window cut short and people blamed Kobe for it.

Even though the team was not competitive enough during 2004-2007, Kobe’s game saw an enormous explosion. He became an offensive force comparable to Michael Jordan in his prime. When the Lakers traded for Pau Gasol in the summer of 2007, it eventually led the team to a path where they squared off against the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. It was Kobe’s moment. Who could have taken that from him? Or somebody actually did?

An unexpected appearance

During the game, four of the NBA Finals in LA, many celebrities came to see the Lakers take on the Celtics. One of them was Will Smith, who came along with his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith.

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Will was at the peak of his box office, powers delivering superhit after superhit. And he gave the public the moment of the game too when he shared a kiss with his wife while sitting in the front court seats.

Though it would not be the last time Will Smith and Jada would take over an event. During the 2022 Oscars, they had a similar moment when Will went on stage and slapped comedian Chris Rock, who made a joke at Jada’s expense. Let’s hope this is the last time Will Smith takes over an event and dominates the headlines the next day.