There aren’t many moments in basketball history that can be compared to Kobe Bryant’s comeback in the 2000 NBA Finals. After suffering a serious injury, fans got to witness the extraordinary mental strength that fueled Kobe’s storied career. The man who injured him would receive his payback in historic fashion. It was a monumental game in the history of the Black Mamba and his Los Angeles Lakers.

Recognizing the same, was a 13x NBA champion. The legendary player-turned-coach spoke of Kobe’s takeover during Game 4.

Kobe Bryant’s resilience was on full display in 2000

When the NBA Finals came in 2000, it was one for the ages for a young Kobe Bryant. Against the Indiana Pacers, the Lakers would win the first championship of the Kobe-Shaq three-peat. However, as then-head coach Phil Jackson recounts, things could have been very different. During game 2, Jalen Rose decided to commit a foul that would never be erased from the memory of the series.

As Kobe landed, Rose slipped his foot under Kobe causing him to fall and badly sprain his left ankle.

As Phil Jackson recounts, “Players can take two weeks…three weeks to come back. Yeah, he [Kobe] wanted to come back the next game.”

While the former head coach to Michael Jordan benched Bryant for Game 3, there was no way he could hold back the Black Mamba any longer. Game 4 had Kobe deliver one of the most iconic games that exhibited his unsurpassable resilience and willpower.

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Even after Shaquille O’Neal had fouled out, Kobe wouldn’t give up. “He just wanted to come out here and will us to win,” said Jackson. The Lakers won 120-118 in overtime, with Bryant tallying 28 points.

This victory demonstrated the Mamba Mentality. However, it would shine even brighter a few seasons later against the man Jalen Rose.

Kobe goes off on Jalen Rose 6 years later

Jalen Rose admitted he broke an unspoken rule in basketball — never step on the feet of a jump-shooting opponent.

Nevertheless, his response unknowingly stoked Kobe’s fire. The Lakers had the last laugh and their 1st of three Championships in the 2000 NBA Finals. If you thought the Black Mamba would let Jalen Rose move on however, you would be mistaken.

On January 23, 2006, the Lakers and Kobe Bryant once again faced off against Jalen Rose. This time, he was with the Toronto Raptors. Not only would LA win easily by 122-104, Kobe would rack up 81 points on Jalen’s head – the second highest single-game total in NBA history.

Kobe Bryant’s perseverance in the face of adversity during the 2000 NBA Finals is a testament to his unwavering love for the game. And his revenge 6 years later displays his unreal competitiveness. Rest in peace to the legend.

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