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Kobe Bryant on his Game 4 buzzer-beater vs. the Suns in the '06 playoff opener: "It was the most fun shot I've ever hit"
Kobe Bryant on his Game 4 buzzer-beater vs. the Suns in the '06 playoff opener: "It was the most fun shot I've ever hit"

Yahoo

timea day ago

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

Kobe Bryant on his Game 4 buzzer-beater vs. the Suns in the '06 playoff opener: "It was the most fun shot I've ever hit"

Kobe Bryant on his Game 4 buzzer-beater vs. the Suns in the '06 playoff opener: "It was the most fun shot I've ever hit" originally appeared on Basketball Network. Over more than two decades in purple and gold, the late Kobe Bryant made countless game-winners, but the one he hit in Game 4 of the 2006 NBA playoff opening round was the most fun. Advertisement After sinking the Phoenix Suns, Kobe said it wasn't just the shot he loved but what came after — how he and his teammates celebrated the moment as a unit. The buildup to something iconic That postseason, the Los Angeles Lakers were clear underdogs. They had finished the regular campaign with a 45-37 record, earning the seventh seed. Waiting in the first round were the Suns, boasting the league's fourth-best record, MVP Steve Nash, and their electrifying "Seven Seconds or Less" offense — one of the most exciting in the league. On paper, it was a mismatch — made worse by Phil Jackson's roster, which, although scrappy, was raw and largely inexperienced in the playoffs. Still, "Mamba" had carried them to an early 2–1 lead. Advertisement Then came Game 4, its final moments unfolding like a Hollywood thriller. With 0.7 seconds left in regulation, "Bean" hit a tough runner to force overtime. Down by three with 15.7 seconds remaining, the NBA superstar got another chance to shine after the Lakers had run an inbound play to isolate him. At the key, tightly guarded, Kobe controlled the ball, spun, drove hard, and finished a tough layup for two. Moments later, after Suns' Nash scrambled in a broken play and lost the jump ball, the underdogs had a chance to pull off another upset. Naturally, it was "Black Mamba" time again. Related: "I told Jordan he was overrated, I rooted against him his whole career" - Jalen Rose opens up about hating Michael Jordan and the Bulls A clutch team victory 6'8" Luke Walton outjumped 6'3" Nash to tip the ball away. The rock moved toward the scorer's table, where Bryant grabbed it and seized the moment. The iconic 6'6" swingman took a few dribbles, rose at the elbow, and hit the shot as the buzzer sounded — 99–98. Game over. Pandemonium erupted at Staples Center. Advertisement "Bean" had made other buzzer-beaters against more legendary opponents and in higher-stakes moments. But this one felt different — a pure joy. "It was the most fun shot I've ever hit, just because it's us, enjoying this as a unit," the Philadelphia native later said, per the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. That comment wasn't what you'd expect from one of the most relentless alphas in sports history, but it made sense on closer look. After all, this was one of the few games that year where Kobe's teammates earned the win — and the celebration — just as much as he did. The undisputed leader was relatively quiet scoring-wise, likely due to foul trouble. Instead, Bryant focused on facilitating, finishing with eight assists and 24 efficient points on 14 shots. Meanwhile, fellow Lakers like Walton and Lamar Odom, who posted a game-high 25 points, stepped up, especially in key moments. Advertisement After showing their clutch gene as a unit, the "Purple and Gold" took a 3-1 series lead — one they would eventually squander. Despite that choke job, the final moments of Game 4 revealed something interesting — a rarely seen side of the "Black Mamba." At times, "Vino" wasn't just an exceptional, egocentric competitor; he also thrived on winning together and valued his teammates' companionship. Related: Shaquille O'Neal reveals which two dunks in his NBA career are his favorite: "He was all over me, and I was like, 'Get the fu** off me'" This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.

Pacers Coach Defends Tyrese Haliburton After Controversial Gesture
Pacers Coach Defends Tyrese Haliburton After Controversial Gesture

Yahoo

time22-05-2025

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

Pacers Coach Defends Tyrese Haliburton After Controversial Gesture

After Tyrese Haliburton hit a buzzer-beater to send Game 1 against the New York Knicks to overtime, he channeled a former Indiana Pacers star's infamous celebration. Haliburton's long 2-pointer -- which he said he thought was a game-winning three -- bounced off the back rim and high into the air before sailing back down through the net. The shot capped off a frenetic 14-point comeback with just under three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, and the Pacers would go on to win 138-135 in overtime. Advertisement After hitting the shot, Haliburton ran toward the sideline and put his hands to his neck, copying Reggie Miller's famous "choke" celebration. Though Haliburton opened himself up to a potential fine by the NBA and accusations that he may have motivated the Knicks, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said he had no problem with it. 'Listen, players can do what they want and it's an emotional thing. It's not a big deal,' Carlisle said. 'It's not a big deal. We got to go out there, the place is unlikely to be any louder than it was tonight.' Haliburton said he had been waiting a long time to use the celebration, but worries that he may have missed the timing of it. Advertisement 'Everybody wanted me to do it like last year at some different point, but it's got to feel right and it felt right at the time,' Haliburton said. 'If I would have known it was a 2, I would not have done it. So I might have wasted it.' Related: Knicks' Jalen Brunson Sends Clear Message on Tyrese Haliburton

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