Kobe Bryant has had many great moments during his basketball career, from crossing over Scottie Pippen and throwing a perfect lob pass to Shaquille O’Neal in the Western Conference Finals, to dropping 81 points in an NBA game.
There are so many great moments to choose from. One of his most iconic moments occurred off an NBA court and under the bright lights of the Olympic Games.
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After Team USA shockingly won just the bronze medal in the 2004 Olympic Games, Team USA went out to recruit the best the NBA had to offer. The player who was Team USA’s top choice was Kobe Bryant.
The international basketball world was catching up to the United States, so Team USA built a roster that was known as the “Redeem Team.” This squad was led by Kobe, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade.
Team USA showcased their dominance throughout the Olympics, but when the Gold medal game arrived, Team USA quickly found themselves in some trouble. The Gold medal game was played on August 24, 2008, just one day after Kobe turned 30.
Kobe brings home the gold
While Team Spain was making things tough for the Americans, Kobe was focused. He was not going to allow his Team USA to lose just one day after celebrating his birthday.
Team USA held a narrow 91-89 lead with 8:13 remaining in the game. Then Kobe took over.
Kobe scored 13 of his 20 points in the final period. On top of scoring, Kobe recorded three assists and two blocks in the final stretch of the game.
The biggest play of the game occurred with 3:10 remaining in the game. Team USA led 104-99, and the ball ended up in Kobe’s hands with less than 10 seconds remaining on the shot clock.
With Rudy Fernandez draped over him and the shot clock winding down, Kobe jab-stepped, rose, and fired. The whistle blew as the ball left Kobe’s hands.
Fernandez fouled Kobe on the shot, and the entire arena watched as the ball spun through the air. The ball swished through the net, causing the crowd to erupt.
Kobe, in pure Kobe fashion, stood there holding his finger up to his mouth, indicating he was silencing the Spanish team.
Team USA held on to win 118-107, securing the gold medal. If it wasn’t for Kobe’s heroics, Team USA may have walked away with a silver medal, which would’ve been a disaster for Team USA basketball.
Luckily, the birthday boy stepped up and delivered himself the perfect present.
