“That Was Mamba Right There”: Lakers Dedicate Win to Kobe Bryant After Nerve-Racking Victory Against Nuggets

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Denver Nuggets in a thriller during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. Down by one point with two seconds to go, Anthony Davis stepped up to take the game-winning buzzer-beater three over Nikola Jokic.

During the post-game interview, Davis said that it was because of the Kobe Bryant inspired Mamba jerseys that they were able to get a win. “I made it,” Davis said. “This is what they brought me here for. To make big-time plays. Obviously we win in the Mamba jerseys. Never wanna lose in these jerseys, never wanna lose at all.”

During his post-game speech in the locker room, coach Frank Vogel said that the last shot by AD reminded him of Kobe. He said, “Mamba Shot. That was Mamba right there.”

Perfect tribute from the Lakers to Kobe

During his playing days, Kobe embodied clutch. So the winner from AD was reminiscent of what Lakers fans used to see from Kobe during the big games. Davis also admitted that he yelled Kobe after he hit the final shot.

Vogel couldn’t stop praising AD for that shot. In the post-game press conference, he again compared Davis to Kobe for that stunning game-winner. He said, “We want to embody what Kobe Bryant stood for and honor his memory … that’s a shot Kobe Bryant would hit. AD flying to the wing like that, catch and shoot with the game on the line, the biggest moment of the season, nothing but net? That’s a Mamba shot.”

Not only did Davis hit the final shot, but he also scored a crucial bucket before it. The Lakers were down by one point after Jokic poked an air ball and managed to score. Davis then answered with a floater over the Nuggets defense to take the lead back. Throughout the second half, LeBron James struggled but Davis kept the Lakers alive and ultimately took them to the win.

With Mamba besides them, the Lakers look unstoppable. They will be hoping to carry this energy to the rest of the games and win the finals for Kobe.