These days, we expect greatness from our NBA stars, and Kobe Bryant is one who delivers on a consistent basis. On Sunday night, he drilled one of the craziest shots of his career in the Lakers' game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.Kobe got the ball on the low post, guarded closely by OKC's James Harden. As he tried to spin to the hoop, Harden bumped him just enough to force him along the baseline right behind the basket. Thinking he would draw the foul, he fired up a shot from near out of bounds along the baseline that sailed high over the backboard and fell perfectly through the net, mimicking Larry Bird's famous shot that forced a rule change and Rajon Rondo's high-soaring floater over the Sixers' Jason Smith.
The Lakers got two points for Kobe's circus shot whereas Larry Legend's shot was then against the rules. The NBA later changed those rules, declaring that if the shooter is clearly in bounds, such a shot would count. I'm sure Kobe is glad for the rule-change, giving him yet another spot on the court for him to hit improbable shots from.
Check out the video after the jump.
With the help of Kobe's acrobatics, the Lakers beat the Thunder easily, winning 101-85 and moved to 10-3, just one game shy of the division leader Phoenix Suns.
Kobe finished with 26 points, seven assists, six boards and two steals. He also got plenty of help in the paint as Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol put up a combined 40 points and were responsible for snatching 16 off the glass.
Sunday's game puts the Lakers on a three-game winning streak going into their next game at home against the Knicks on Tuesday.
Follow Chris Sesno on twitter: @csesno
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
...and 1!
I don't know!!!..... Jordan is the the greatest there ever WAS but Kobe is the greatest there IS... Everytime you slam your hands down for Jordan, Kobe makes you question it.
I always thought any ball over the top backboard was out. I think the refs made a mistake.
I believe the ruled it that why when Bird took the same shot back in the day, but have since amended it; as long as the player does not step out of bounds, (and the video shows that Kobe did'nt, the shot will count. Maybe if he had bounced it off the back of the board..
And that is why your comment does not count!
This shot confirms the truth: Kobe is a jedi. That's the only way he can make these f'ing ridiculous shots that no one else in the league can make. Obviously, Bird is a jedi too.
It's not like Kobe is the first guy to pull off an over the backboard shot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9FHoq5T_xg
WOW.....How incredible......NOT!
Are you kidding me? You think that Rondo's
shot is as good as Kobe's???? Yes...it was a
clever shot....but he ain't no Kobe...please!!!
great shot and all, but...not really that hard. one of the oldest shots in "HORSE"
How appropriate that Kobe is whining to the officials as he walks down the court. If you watch how the refs treat this prima donna, it is obvious that his constant whining gets him an edge that, sadly, with his talent, he doesn't need. Anyone that compares this baby to Jordan hasn't watched Jordan play. I would have so much more respect for Bryant if he would just SHUT UP.
An edge?! He get's hammered every night and the zebras give him no love. Lebron and Dwade get all the phantom calls in the world. You are just another Kobe hater. Beantown boy!
Jordan whined to the refs too... there's a reason they called his favorable calls "Jordan Rules."
When will the Kobe hater take a day off?
Love is the answer.
Those who say Kobe is a whiner and MJ wasn't have memmory loss. MJ was was as well known for trying to influence the refs as all great players have. To the people who think that was a HORSE shot, how many times have you made that shot on the run while being banged in front of the world? If it was easy they all would try it.
Kobe is probably 2nd to Micheal Jordan, but a comment on that shot let me see the wanna-be Jordan named Lebron James try that shot
Didn't Belinelli hit an over-the-backboard shot last year?
That shot is easier than it appears. I made that shot...twice...in games. Shot was waved off both times by the referee.
AMAZING..........Not the shot but the fact that Rajon Rondo mad the same shot last week and not a word..........Kobe Kobe Kobe........Rapist and Cheat.......Kobe Kobe Kobe
Jealous...jealous...jealous...is what you are!!!
JEALOUS....Jealous....J-E-A-L-O-U-S.......
.................jealous.......................
......................Ahahahahahaha!!!
I feel sorry for all you "Kobe" haters.....!!!
And at the same time..."I LOVE IT">>>>>>>..
Yall can put him down all you want.....because
all it's doing is making you all sound oh so
JEALOUS..."I'm sorry if it does".....!