The NBA lockout has threatened the upcoming NBA season, so it might be quite some time until we see the Lakers return to the hardwood. In the meantime, let’s take a look at some of the most exciting Lakers moments. This week will feature the Black Mamba and his best crossovers throughout his 15-year career. Enjoy Kobe’s best ankle breakers.
5. In this home matchup against the Detroit Pistons, Kobe Bryant would get some revenge on the Pistons for their trouncing of the Lakers in the 2004 NBA Finals as he would crossover Tayshaun Prince, thus creating room for a slam dunk.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLAgz1E1vko
Next: Fred Jones Gets Crossed Up
4. Coming in at number four is the Lakers facing another former Finals foe, the Indiana Pacers. In front of the STAPLES Center crowd, Kobe Bryant — sporting the number eight — makes Fred Jones a highlight for a lifetime. After crossing-over Jones and causing him to lose his footing and slide backwards, Kobe puts on the finishing touches with a sweet jumper.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fGEWuzLd9o
Next: A Pair of Falling Suns
3. The number three spot features the Lakers’ Pacific Division rival Phoenix Suns. In front of the purple and gold faithful, Kobe Bryant is being guarded by Shawn Marion, but not for long. Kobe crosses and shakes off Marion for a clear path to the basket, allowing him to finish the highlight reel play with a slam dunk. (And in the process, he makes Marion look like a baby giraffe learning how to walk.)
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWA9Np4xwTE
2. Coming in at number two as one of Kobe’s crossover victims, is another member of the Phoenix Suns. This time Kobe Bryant’s victim is Grant Hill. In an NBA playoff game at STAPLES Center, the Mamba stuck the sun once again. The crossover started at the top of the three-point line and Grant Hill ended up stumbling at the free throw line. Although Kobe would not finish the dunk, then-Laker Josh Powell was there to put the miss back with a thunderous dunk.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFfOne8dgx0&feature=related
Next: Bryant… to SHAQ!
1. An easy choice at number one primarily because of the significance of the play and all that it led up to. More importantly, because it would lead the Lakers to their first NBA title since the Magic and Kareem era. In game 7 of the Western Conference Finals the Lakers rallied back after being down by as much as 15 points in the fourth quarter to the Portland Trailblazers. After finally taking the lead late in the fourth quarter, Kobe and Shaq put the dagger in the heart of the Blazers with an amazing crossover by Kobe Bryant, who shook Scottie Pippen and created space for a lane at the basket. Kobe finished by lobbing the ball up to the big man as he would seal the alley-oop with an emphatic dunk and the crowd exploded. Not only is this the top crossover on this list, but it is also one of the top all-time moments in Lakers history.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLOMEmRQ40U