As basketball fans await an early Christmas in September with the release of NBA 2K24, more details have been unveiled about the 25th-anniversary title between the NBA and 2K Sports. One of the most anticipated features will see players reenact some of the greatest moments in the storied career of late Lakers' legend Kobe Bryant.
In a game mode titled "Mamba Moments," NBA 2K24 will build on the popularity of its predecessor's Jordan Challenge, which explored the career of Michael Jordan, as Bryant's greatest accomplishments are put on display for players to live out on the screen. Given the incredible feats that Black Mamba accomplished in his 20-year tenure, which will be included in this exciting game mode?
10 Winning The 1997 Dunk Contest
At just 18 years of age, exciting up-and-coming rookie Kobe Bryant took to the stage of the NBA's All-Star weekend and shone, winning the first of many trophies in his illustrious 20-year career. Stepping up to the plate in the Slam Dunk Contest, Bryant became the youngest player ever to take the top honors in the competition.
This would be an exciting difference in Mamba Moments as it doesn't rely on players controlling Bryant in standard NBA game situations like the others no doubt will. This would be a fresh take on the game experience and give players the opportunity to relive one of Bryant's earliest career accomplishments.
9 The Sweep & The Three-Peat
As the Jordan era came to a close, it was difficult to imagine that another team would be as dominant as the Chicago Bulls. Cue the Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neill. In a stroke of genius by Lakers general manager Jerry West, Los Angeles would acquire Bryant from the Hornets and O'Neill from the Magic to form one of the most dominant duos in league history.
The Lakers would succeed with three consecutive championship seasons, completing the "three-peat" between 2000 and 2002. What was most impressive was the fashion in which they did it, completing the rare accomplishment with an emphatic 4–0 series win over the Eastern Champion New Jersey Nets.
8 61 At The Garden
The World's Most Famous Arena is home to some of the greatest sporting moments by the greatest sporting athletes, so it is only fitting that Kobe Bryant would have his moment in the spotlight in Madison Square Garden. He did this in 2009 with an incredible 61-point performance that saw Los Angeles topple New York 126-117.
The scoring feat by Bryant was a record-breaking one in the New York arena, and still stands as the equal-second highest score by an individual in the venue's history. It would take 5 years and a 62-point haul by Knicks legend Carmelo Anthony to beat it, but it is still a performance that contributed to Black Mamba's legacy.
7 Torn Achilles Free-Throws
Nobody ever dared to question Kobe Bryant's toughness and dedication to his sport and the city of Los Angeles. Fewer moments showcased his commitment to the Lakers more than when he limped to the free-throw line against the Golden State Warriors with a torn Achilles.
With the game on the line, Bryant slowly walked to the charity stripe to sink both crucial free throws to level the score. His efforts weren't in vain, as his team managed to outlast a talented Warriors lineup led by a young Steph Curry in what would feel like a passing of the torch game.
6 Mamba Don't Flinch
Kobe Bryant was notorious for fearing absolutely no one on the court. He built a reputation as being the top dog, and no moment cemented that legacy more than when Matt Barnes tested Black Mamba's nerve during an inbound play.
The polarizing Memphis Grizzlies star Barnes stood face-to-face with Bryant as he attempted to pass the ball inbounds to resume the play. Instead of actively seeking his teammates, Barnes would fake throwing the ball into Bryant's face, getting very close to making contact. Bryant only showed that his fearlessness is built into his instincts, as Kobe did not move an inch and looked unphased by the play.
5 Running Through Pau Gasol
There have been a lot of incredible talking points throughout Bryant's career, but few have had as many player recounts as the finals of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Basketball tournament. Embodying the Mamba Mentality that became Bryant's legacy, Kobe showed both his opponents and teammates that, when it comes to winning, no bond is strong enough to get in his way.
In a well-documented moment that set the tone of the gold medal match, Bryant declared that he would make an example of Lakers' teammate and close friend Pau Gasol, stating he was going to run straight through him. He kept to his word, barreling into Gasol as he set a screen, sending him tumbling to the ground. USA would go on to win the match and tournament, but no moment was more memorable than the start of the game.
4 Los Angeles Lakers' All-Time Scorer
In a fitting moment that would see him overtake the very man that brought him to Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant would overtake Jerry West as the Lakers' greatest scorer in 2010 in a losing effort against the Memphis Grizzlies. In typical Kobe Bryant fashion, he did it in a 44-point performance, passing "The Logo" with an emphatic breakaway dunk.
Kobe would continue his scoring reign of terror far beyond this game, scoring an incredible 33,643 points across his 20-season career, all with the Lakers. It doesn't seem likely that the record will ever be broken, but if it does, it will take something special.
3 Revenge Against The Cs
Kobe Bryant took his beloved game more seriously than anyone else who graced the court. This was on full display as Bryant began his journey for redemption the moment the final siren sounded on a shocking one-sided defeat at the hands of the Boston Celtics in the deciding Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
The loss did not sit well with Bryant, as he began his quest for a title and revenge. While he would have to wait two years for the opportunity for revenge, the loss would light a fire in the Lakers. In fact, they went into the Finals against the Celtics as defending champions, having won the competition in 2009.
2 Outscoring Dallas For Three Quarters
In a game that had fans across the league in absolute awe of the greatness before them, Kobe Bryant showcased that he was just on a whole other level than his competition. In a surreal effort, Bryant out-scored the Dallas Mavericks 62-61 over three quarters of basketball.
What made this feat all the more impressive was the team on the other side of the court. Dallas was not only a good team, they were the team to beat in 2005. Led by Mavericks' legend Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas would accomplish a 60-win season and reach the finals. None of that mattered to Bryant that night, as he outperformed one of the league's best for three dominant quarters and didn't hit the floor in the fourth.
1 The 81-Point Game
January 22, 2006, will forever be cemented in NBA history as one of the greatest displays of scoring ever seen in the Association's modern era. In a 122-104 victory over the Toronto Raptors, Kobe Bryant would contribute 81 points, the second-highest total by a player in history behind Wilt Chamberlain's 100 against the Knicks.
Kobe was on a whole new level against the Raptors, who were powerless to stop the scoring machine as Bryant racked up seven 3-pointers and 18/20 free throws in a performance that had to be seen to be believed.
NBA 2K24 launches September 8 on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.