Kobe Bryant’s Top 5 moments against the New York Knicks

5. Kobe’s Reverse Dunk

Kobe’s famous reverse dunk in the “Mecca of Basketball” occurred on February 6, 2003. Seeing Kobe square up Latrell Sprewell and drive baseline for the reverse dunk was such a jaw-dropping sight. You just had a sense that Kobe was going to do something stunning at that moment because Kobe was so calculative in every move he took.

Leading up to the dunk, Lakers fans were beginning to realize the magnitude of Kobe’s contribution to the team. Kobe and Shaquille O’Neal had just completed their three-peat, and fans debated who was more valuable to the team. That season was the first time Kobe led the Lakers in scoring (30 PTS/GM) while demonstrating how unguardable he would be for many years to come. The debates would continue that season when they fell short of making a four-peat, but people were starting to realize that Kobe was the real deal.