Kobe Bryant 19 pts 5 blocks vs Sixers 1999-00 Lockdown on AI

February 20th, 2000First Union CenterPhiladelphia, PABoxscore: http://www.basketball-referenc... 18 points, 7 assists, 5 blocks, 7-15 FG, 4-5 FTOne year ago at the same arena against the same Philadelphia 76ers team, Allen Iverson had embarrassed Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers dropping 41 points while leading his team to a 105-90 victory. Kobe tried to make sure it would not happen again. However, Bryant picked up 2 early fouls in the 1st quarter guarding the speedy Allen Iverson. With Kobe in foul trouble in the 1st quarter, Iverson went 4-7 with Derek Fisher guarding him. Even though Bryant came back in the 2nd quarter, he did not guard Iverson the remaining of the half in order to not pick the 3rd foul. Iverson took advantage and scored 16 first half points on 7-14 shooting. Kobe Bryant made sure he would never score again in the 2nd half. Tightening up the screws, Bryant chased AI everywhere on the court denying him the ball at every possible chance and forcing him to pass the ball when he did get it. Bryant played remarkable defense in the 2nd half on the superstar putting up 4 blocks (5 total, 4 which were on Iverson) and frustrating him into 0-11 shooting. His defense held Iverson completely scoreless in the 2nd half. When he wasn't playing defense, he was making clutch baskets down the stretch including a game tying assist to Shaquille O'neal to tie the game at 81, a clutch fadeaway over Ratliff, and a go ahead runner to put LA up 85-81. It was back to defense afterwards. After Eric Snow hit a three to close the gap to 1 and the Lakers came up dry on the next possession, it set the stage for the biggest play of the game. Allen Iverson, known for his 4th quarter play, had the ball on the very final possession with 11 seconds remaining in the game. Driving in the lane he went up only to have his shot spiked away by none other than Mr. Bryant who just had his 5th rejection of the game. Frustrated, Bryant was pushed out of bounds by Iverson and extended the lead to 3 (87-84) with 2 free throws. Attempting to bring the game to OT, Iverson had his final attempt blocked by Shaquille O'neal ending one of his wosre games of the season. Iverson, who shot 7-14 in the 1st half, finished 7-25 from the field overall thanks to the sticky defense of Kobe Bryant. This season was arguably Kobe Bryant's best defensive season overall. Although Bryant didn't have eye popping stats in the game, his defense in the 2nd half was the difference maker in the game.Other Notes: The language is in DUTCH :(Extra Tags: Championship 2000 2001 2002 rings handcheck zone crossover playoffs

Channel: Sports
Uploaded: November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am
Author: LakersRule24

Length: 08:59
Rating: 5.00
Views: 15429

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