Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Defining Moment Of Kobe Bryant’s Career – Shooting 4 Air Balls vs. Jazz In Playoffs

Western Conference Semi-Finals 1997, Game 5.

“It was an early turning point for me, at 18 years old, it was gut check time. I look back at it now with fond memories of it, but back then, it was misery.”

Kobe said, and continued

“It helped shape me,” Bryant continued. “A lot of times as a young player, you don’t see how a situation like that can pay off in the end. But if you use it to drive you, use it to motivate you, then, you can stand where I’m standing now and look back at it with a lot of fond memories.”

Once upon a time, one of the greatest clutch players of all-time had one of the least clutch performances of all-time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j35mMJZ_zyM