After two games, the 2009 Western Conference finals were tied at one, and the Los Angeles Lakers realized they had gotten into a dogfight with the talented Denver Nuggets.
Game 3 was in Denver, the city located about a mile above sea level and home to fans who loved to jeer at Kobe Bryant whenever the Lakers played there.
It became the site of one of his greatest and most inspiring performances.
Bryant had 15 points in the first half as Los Angeles took a 52-48 lead, but as it fell behind in the third quarter, he grew more aggressive.
His 13 points in that frame kept Denver’s lead at eight going into the fourth quarter, which was where he would be at his heroic best.
With 1:30 remaining, the Lakers trailed 95-93. With the Nuggets crowd roaring in his ears and guard J.R. Smith all over him, the Black Mamba nailed a very difficult 3-pointer that propelled the Purple and Gold to a 103-97 victory.
He had scored 41 points and dished five assists, and he was exhausted. Very exhausted. In fact, during the postgame interview on the floor, he was hunched over.
But it was classic Mamba-style mind over matter, the type that would bring the Lakers an NBA championship a few weeks later and another one the following year.
