Game 1 (Lakers win, 104-87)

Statistics:

38 MIN, 6-13 FG, 0-2 3FG, 2-2 FT, 3 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK, 2 TO, 14 PTS

Bryant’s first NBA Finals game would be a rout, with Shaquille O’Neal proving to be too much for the Indiana with 43 points and 19 rebounds. Bryant provided the fast start in the game, going 4-6 in the first quarter for 8 quick points. From that point on, it would be O’Neal’s game, as he dominated the Pacers in his first Finals game since being swept by the Houston Rockets as a member of the Orlando Magic. Aside from his fast offensive start, Bryant’s most valuable contribution was his defense of Indiana’s leading scorer, Reggie Miller. Guarding Miller almost exclusively, Bryant would force the Pacer guard in to one of the worst shooting performances in NBA Finals history. Miller would shoot only 1-16 in the game, for a career playoff-low 7 points.

Game 2 (Lakers win, 111-104)

Statistics:

9 MIN, 1-3 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 1 REB, 4 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PTS

Following a strong start to his Finals career, Kobe would suffer a major blow, injuring his ankle early in the second quarter. After distributing 4 assists in the first quarter, Bryant landed awkwardly on his ankle and was forced to miss the rest of Game 2. Following his early departure, Los Angeles would ride Shaquille O’Neal to a close victory, as he provided 40 points and 24 rebounds.

Game 3 (Pacers win, 100-91)

Statistics:

DNP-Ankle Injury

Game 3 of the 2000 NBA Finals marked the only time that Kobe Bryant would miss a Finals game. His loss was obvious early, as Reggie Miller, who had been held to only 28 total points in the first two games, would score 33 in the first Finals game at Conseco Fieldhouse. This game marked the beginning of Bryant’s indispensability as a player, as it became clear that O’Neal alone could not lead the Lakers to a title. Shaq’s 33 points and 13 rebounds did not prove to be enough without Bryant’s ability to create offense for the Lakers’ role players and his defense of Miller.

Game 4 (Lakers win, 120-118)

Statistics:

47 MIN, 14-27 FG, 0-0 3FG, 0-0 FT, 4 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK, 3 TO, 28 PTS

In one of the greatest clutch performances in NBA Finals history, Kobe Bryant introduced himself to basketball’s biggest stage. Playing on an ankle that required heavy taping and ice throughout the game, Bryant pushed the Pacers to the brink of elimination. In the first half, Bryant appeared rusty and his ankle seemed to be a major problem. He would score only 6 points in the opening half, and picked up 4 fouls in his attempts to guard Mark Jackson and Reggie Miller.

It did not appear to improve for Kobe early in the second half, as he collected his fifth foul in the third quarter. However, worrying that his ankle would tighten with rest, Phil Jackson left Bryant in the game. He responded by making three consecutive baskets, and pulling the Lakers ahead. The Pacers would eventually pull even on a Sam Perkins three-pointer, and the game would go to overtime.

Kobe had scored 14 points in the second half, but O’Neal was still the Lakers’ first option, and continued to score early in the extra period. However, with 2:33 remaining in the game, Shaq fouled out. Facing the possibility of allowing the Pacers to draw even in the series, Phil Jackson allowed the 21-year-old Bryant to run isolation plays on three consecutive offensive possessions. On each of the three trips, Bryant scored.

Despite his hot shooting, the Pacers would pull to within one point with less than 40 second remaining in overtime. As the shot clock expired on L.A.’s final possession, Brian Shaw shot and missed a runner. However, with his most clutch basket off the game, Kobe Bryant rebounded the miss and put it in a reverse layup. The three-point lead created by the basket would be too much for Indiana to overcome, and the Lakers would take an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the series. Bryant’s 8 points in overtime are the second most overtime points in NBA Finals history.

Game 5 (Pacers win, 120-87)

Statistics:

37 MIN, 4-20 FG, 0-1 3FG, 0-0 FT, 5 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 8 PTS

In one of the worst losses in Los Angeles’ postseason history, Kobe Bryant had his worst playoff game to date. Making only 20% of his shots for only 8 points, Bryant was among the many L.A. players to fail miserably with an opportunity to win the championship. The only Laker to have any offensive success was Shaquille O’Neal, as he scored 35 points.

Game 6 (Lakers win, 116-111)

Statistics:

45 MIN, 8-27 FG, 2-6 3FG, 8-9 FT, 10 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK, 1 TO, 26 PTS

Playing with an opportunity to win a championship on their home floor, the Lakers proved to be up to the task. Led by the tandem of Shaquille O’Neal, who scored 40 points, and Bryant, with 26, Los Angeles won its first NBA Championship since 1988. Despite a poor shooting performance, Bryant once again proved himself in the clutch, hitting five free throws in the final minutes to hold off the Pacers’ comeback attempt. While O’Neal would rightfully be named Most Valuable Player of the Finals, Kobe Bryant had made his presence felt, and would return to the Championship Round the following year with a far larger impact.

Kobe Bryant’s 2000 NBA Finals averages (5 games):

15.6 points per game

4.3 rebounds per game

4.2 assists per game

44.2 minutes per game

41.25 field goal percentage

LOL…Just sayin.

just saying.

Also, Jordan was the best player I’ve ever seen in my lifetime, but give the ball washing a rest, it’s getting embarrassing.

I’m especially speaking of the losers from his era that elevate him to mythic status in order to explain their own failings (I’m looking directly at you Barkley).

I saw Jordan get dominated on several occasions when he went up against the BAd Boys, nobody thought he’d ever beat them. Joe Dumars and Vinny Johnson along with those trees inside owned him before the Bulls finally broke through in ’91.

So, please stop with the revisionist history that Jordan was never humbled, took over games at will during the entirity of his playoff career, and that he never met teams that simply beat him, which is exactly what just happened to Lebron James. There’s no crime in that, it happens, so give it a rest.

It could be argued that since the Piston game 4 years ago, Lebron James has slowly become less effective.

How in heavens name could James and Wade be as dominant as their marketing people claim them to be, and not roll over the Mavs in 5 games at most? All I heard from James, Wade and Bosh was how they could’t win because their teammates weren’t good enough. Well fine, they pit themselves on he same team and couldn’t win. Two ballhogs and a soft PF that wants to park out on the perimeter.

Goon…..

P.S. And their buddie Carmelo Anthony – another one that blamed his teammates (i Denver). yeah, he sue revitalized those Knocks when he got there.

Kobe constantly closed out games by his 3rd year.

LeBron is being used in as much of these titles as possible, then all the sheeple click and read. It’s how it works. Who really gives a rats @ss what Shaq thinks about LeBron??

Here’s a tip stop reading LeBron articles and these blood thirsty writers will stop writing about him. Untill then LeBron will be in every other Story on this website.

He quit in the Magic series the year before he quit against the Celtics.

It’s haters like you that misrepresent his record.

As I recall Kobe only made one game winning playoff shot as well in his first 8 years.

You noticed that too?!?!?!?

And here I thought it was just me.

Hey big guy, I dig your style.

Next year when you do your chalk toss, you can wear a cape. Better yet, put a mask on as well, and refer to yourself in the 3rd person as “The Masked Avenger”. That ought to help Nike sell some $49.95 shoes for $170 because it has a logo of you and your name on it,

A lockout for the entire season is coming…..maybe you can wear the cape and mask to he union/owner negotiations. Throw up the chalk just before the meeting starts. You never have had a problem doing something in bad taste when you get everyone to look at you.

Cough, cough big guy!