Kobe Bryant: eight classic moments you may have missed

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The Lakers legend leaves the NBA on Wednesday night after five championships and countless brilliant plays. We run down some moments to savor

From throwing paper in a trash can, to playground horse games, to high school, college and professional games, youre bound to hear someone shout Kobe! Bryants cold and calculated playing style has become the stuff of legend over a glittering 20-year career, so in commemoration of his Lakers farewell, and to mark his original jersey number, here are our eight picks for the most Kobe moments.

Matt Barnes tries to punk Kobe and fails terribly

Matt Barnes is renowned as one of the leagues best defenders, with the reputation of being a tough guy to back it up. During a 2010 game, Barnes and Kobe were engaged in a physical and mental duel, but this moment stands out. Barnes tries the old playground trick of faking the ball at Bryants face during an inbounds play. But Bryant isnt fazed; theres some debate as to whether he even blinked. Though the Magic beat the Lakers in this game, Bryant is still the clear victor here. His adversary would join the Lakers the next season.

Kobe implores Dwight Howard: Try me

Theres no love lost between Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard. The embattled center departed from the Lakers after a turbulent season that saw Howard and Bryant publicly clash on numerous occasions. The following season, Kobe and Dwight met in an early matchup and got into it. Howard swung his elbows wildly, which drew a foul. He also drew the ire of Kobe, who, in his inimitable style, famously quoted the 2014 Dej Loaf hit: Try Me.

Kobe dunks on LeBron in the All-Star game

If theres any time Bryant shines, its during the All-Star Game, when he gets to pull out his full offensive arsenal for the enjoyment of NBA fans. It was only this year that LeBron James passed Kobe Bryant in All-Star Game scoring, and he still only leads Bryant by one point. There are many moments to choose from, but this 2011 montage, where Bryant dunks on James, then hits an unconscious three-pointer, takes the cake. As if LeBron didnt have enough to worry about during the 2011 season.

Kobe nearly fights Gary Payton then blocks his shot

During his rookie season, Kobe was unafraid to challenge his elders, including Hall of Famer and eventual Lakers teammate Gary Payton. The tension between the two was palpable almost from tip-off, but reached a breaking point when the famed trash-talker took issue with the young Bryants aggressive defense. And that was after Kobes vicious block on The Glove. Its almost as if we knew Bryant had ice in his veins, even at age 19.

Kobe welcomes Howard to the NBA with a poster dunk

Dwight Howards second appearance on this list is actually one of his first NBA appearances. In a November game during his rookie season, Howard received a welcome to the NBA that no one wants, with Bryant weaving through two defenders and slamming down a one-handed tomahawk dunk that could have raised the dead. He then proceeded to ride the rookies back as Howard helplessly tries to move out of the way. Howard shouldnt feel bad though; Bryant did that to more than a handful of capable big men on his way to a legendary career.

Kobe curses team-mates out in practice

During the 2014 season, the Lakers were in the midst of a terrible downturn that has yet to be resolved. When a December practice was opened to the public that December, the media got a full display of how Kobe pushes his teammates. After Nick Young proclaimed no one in the world could guard him, Kobe dug into Young, Lou Williams and the rest of the Lakers for being soft. His expletive-ridden tirade even took aim at Mitch Kupchak, the teams embattled general manager. You dont become an NBA great by being nice.

Andrew Wiggins uses Kobes move against him; Kobe approves

One thing that gets glossed over in Kobe Bryants career is his recognition and admiration of those he deems worthy to carry his mantle unlike, say, Michael Jordan. The Minnesota Timberwolves, the team that replaced the Lakers in Minneapolis, have one such player in Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins, in a game against Bryants Lakers, pulled out Kobes (and MJs) patented post fadeaway jumper against Bryant. Kobe was flattered by the imitation and chuckled when Wiggins said: I got that from you. It turns out Kobe subscribes to the ethos of real recognize real, and is OK with the next generation of superstars taking the limelight.

Every Kobe Bryant game-winner or buzzer-beater ever

The last moment isnt even a moment, but a collection of moments. There are only a handful of NBA players who you expect to hit the shot with the game on the line, and Kobe Bryant may be at the top of this list. Though he may catch heat for his airball in the Western Conference finals against the Jazz, Bryant has been genius in the waning seconds of NBA games. He made the impossible look easy something that maybe only Michael Jordan, LeBron James and (now) Steph Curry have done. For all of the legal controversy, trash talk, on- and off-court beefs and questionable fashion choices, Kobes feats will never be erased.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/apr/13/kobe-bryant-eight-special-moments-lakers-retirement