Photo Credit: Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE

Defining Moment Of Kobe Bryant’s Career – Shooting 4 Air Balls In Game 5 Of 1997 WCSF

24 years ago today, one of the greatest clutch players of all-time had one of the least clutch performances of all-time.

24 years ago today, Kobe Bryant shot four airballs in 5 minutes of the 4th quarter and overtime in Game 5 of the 1997 Western Conference Semi-Finals. To put things in perspective: Kobe was 18-years old at that time, and the off-night eventually helped him become the incredible player he turned out to be. Mamba Mentality was born the day that game ended.

Years later, Kobe said:

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.It helped shape me. 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.”