‘Thank you’: Dwyane Wade’s Epic Response After Kobe Bryant Demolished Miami Heat

Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant was known for how clutch he was. He hit multiple clutch buzzer beaters but one of them surely stands out for many NBA fans.

This day 11 years ago Kobe hit one of the best buzzer beaters we have ever seen against the Miami Heat. The match was a slugfest between the Dwyane Wade led Miami Heat and the Kobe led Lakers.

Coming into this game, the Lakers were on a seven-game winning streak. They were the number one seed and facing off against Wade and the Heat who had a record of 10 wins and 9 losses.

With 9.3 seconds remaining on the clock, the Heat held a four-point lead. It looked like the Lakers’ streak was coming to an end. But, Derek Fisher knocked down a huge three-pointer to make it a one-point game with 4.3 seconds remaining on the clock.

Moving on, the Lakers knew that they had to foul the Heat and could only hope that they miss. The Lakers fouled Wade. Wade had carried the Heat all night long and had to score both the free throws. He only scored one of them and with 3.2 seconds remaining. the lead was now only two points.

The Lakers in-bounded the ball, and it was with Kobe. ‘Black Mamba‘ dribbled with the ball. With D-Wade guarding him, Kobe somehow just got the shot off with his left hand and it went in. The Lakers won 108-107 with that buzzer-beater.

The Lakers went on to win the championship that season, beating the Boston Celtics in seven games.

Dwyane Wade’s tribute to Kobe Bryant

The 2018-19 season was the last season that Dwyane Wade played in the NBA. With the Heat nowhere near to making the playoffs the last game he played was a regular-season game against the Warriors.

The match was surprisingly close and with 10 seconds remaining on the clock; the Warriors had a 2-point advantage over the Heat. The possession was with the Heat.

Wade dribbled with the ball and passed it to Dion Waiters. Waiters then passed it again to Wade. With 2 seconds remaining on the clock ‘Flash’ was ready to shoot the three. Some superb defense, the Warriors even stopped that.

With only 0.5 seconds remaining, D-Wade launched a freak shot that hit the glass and was in. By the looks of it, this shot would not have gone in a million years. But it did.

After the game in the post-match interview, Wade credited the Mamba and said, “When Kobe hit that game winner on me in LA…off the glass from the top of the key I said how is that possible? Thank you for showing me the way. Mamba Mentality.”

Kobe Bryant’s contribution to basketball is immeasurable. A personality like the Mamba is sorely missed in the NBA.