Gonna try to watch as many Kobe games during this time. Started off with Lakers/Bulls from 12/'96. What a game.
First Kobe/MJ interaction on the court. They didn't really have much battles, but the first match-up Kobe was so eager and MJ pulled out with the basket.
LWO led most of the first 3 quarters, even maintaining the lead for 2 quarters. In the 4th they fell apart. Bulls D was just too dominant and MJ was cold for the 4th, but Kukoc lit it up to send the game to OT. The game had playoff feel late into it. Pippen had 5 fouls going into the 4th. How he didn't foul out was
Nick Van Swagxel went off, but it wasn't enough. Kobe didn't play much, but he was pretty solid with the time played, including 2 blocks in the game. But when it mattered the most he missed 2 FTs late in OT. If he woulda made them LWO would have only been down by 1. I wonder if he ever talked about this moment.
