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Kobe Bryant: Top five greatest performances vs Toronto Raptors

By Aditya Chandran

TORONTO, CANADA: Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant drives to the hoop past Toronto Raptors forward Vince Carter during first half NBA action in Toronto, Canada, on 06 January, 2002. The Lakers defeated the Raptors 109 - 89. AFP PHOTO/J.P. Moczulski (Photo credit should read J.P. MOCZULSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA: Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant drives to the hoop past Toronto Raptors forward Vince Carter during first half NBA action in Toronto, Canada, on 06 January, 2002. The Lakers defeated the Raptors 109 - 89. AFP PHOTO/J.P. Moczulski (Photo credit should read J.P. MOCZULSKI/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant, guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, feels frustration in the 4th quarter of the Toronto Raptors of the Los Angeles Lakers-Toronto Raptors at Staples Center on March 8, 2013. (Photo by Gary Friedman/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) /

2. March 8th, 2013

Final Score: Lakers 118 Raptors 116

Kobe Bryant Stats: 41 points, 6 rebounds, 12 assists, 2 steals, 50 FG%

At 34 years of age, Kobe Bryant was definitely feeling the pressure. The biggest goal of his entire career was to match his idol, Michael Jordan, with six rings, hopefully, surpassing him. That goal was looking dim with him getting older, but the Lakers made one last effort to make this possible. They were able to acquire both Dwight Howard and Steve Nash while also keeping Pau Gasol. This attempt at building a super team was Bryant’s last opportunity at success, but unfortunately, it didn’t go as planned.

The team did not click and multiple injuries to Nash really hurt the team’s chances. Still, through all the turmoil, Bryant never backed down. He gave it his all every night, and that showed in particular against the Toronto Raptors on March 8th.

The Raptors were still looking for their identity. They were led by DeMar DeRozan, Rudy Gay, Kyle Lowry, and Andrea Bargnani. They were 15 games below .500  but were looking to make a statement against the highly touted Lakers.

Early on it was Bryant’s great playmaking that captivated fans. The chemistry wasn’t there but he still looked for his teammates and got them going on the offensive end. However, it didn’t seem like it was enough. The Lakers were still down seven points late in the fourth quarter and needed a heroic performance. Once again, Kobe Bryant to the rescue…

He scored the Lakers last nine points, including a game-tying triple with five seconds left to send the game to overtime. The Raptors were dumbfounded by what he’d been able to accomplish. In the end, it was too much for them to overcome and the Lakers, again, defeated Toronto.

Unfortunately for him, he would suffer an Achilles tear later in the year which would end his season.