It’s not a Purple & Gold New Year without throwing it back to that epic game in 2010 where Kobe Bryant made the clutch shot of the year on the very first day of the year. On January 1, 2010, the Lakers won the game 109-108 over the Sacramento Kings when the Black Mamba launched a cinematic 3-point buzzer-beater.

The one who saw it happen on the court reacted to it 14 years later. Lamar Odom was no slouch in that game that day. But at the last minute, when the Los Angeles Lakers were still behind, Odom could afford to stand back and let Bryant do his thing. It gets even better with Odom retweeting a clip of that game where the announcers summarized Bryant’s invincible persona.

“14 years ago today: Kobe Bryant’s New Year’s game winner,” the original post read with the clip. After that shot, one announcer said, “He [Bryant] is hard to believe.” His colleague immediately chimed in, “No, he’s not.”

Well, Odom did not find it hard to believe either. The former Sixth Man of the Year let it be known in a single sentence on X, “Knew that was going in,” about that buzzer-beater.

The rivalry between Lakers and the Kings was at its peak during Kobe’s prime. The Lakers were trailing by 15 going into the half at this game. Bryant, who built a career on his heroics, caught the pass in the last quarter, turned, and made a perfect 3-pointer.

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In this game, he played for 47 minutes and scored 39 points and added 5 rebounds and assists each. Odom made 20 points, 3 assists, and 10 rebounds in 35 minutes. This game showed the Lakers’ prowess in the frontcourt. But there were other factors at play too that made it memorable for fans.

Lakers fans recall Kobe Bryant’s New Year game

Unlike Odom, fans brought up this historic game for different reasons recently. A very brief but tense exchange between LeBron James and Ime Udoka made fans theorize the Houston Rockets’ coach’s emotions for the Lakers cut deeper. And Kobe Bryant may have something to do with it.

Udoka was suited up for the Kings on 2010 New Year’s. He was fouled, missed free throws, and failed to expand a two-point lead. His biggest mistake was guarding Pau Gasol while Bryant was wide open. It let him make that 3-pointer before the clock ran out.

Like Odom, Udoka witnessed that shot on the court. But fans think that left him bitter, unlike Bryant’s teammate. What are your reactions to this iconic Kobe Bryant moment?

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