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20 most memorable Kobe moments

JEFF HAYNES / AFP / Getty

Following 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant's legendary NBA career will finally come to a close Wednesday evening.

With five champions, two Finals MVPs, 18 All-Star appearances, and two scoring titles to his name, Bryant's resume ranks among the greatest ever.

Here are the 20 most memorable moments of "The Black Mamba's" career:

20. Back-to-back

He wasn't the Lakers' best player, but Kobe was still dominant during the 2001 NBA Finals, averaging 24.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists in the series as Los Angeles collected back-to-back titles.

19. 40 points in nine straight

After years as the Robin to Shaquille O'Neal's Batman, the Lakers finally looked like Bryant's team in 2002-03. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard was unguardable in February 2003, dropping 40 points or more in nine straight contests.

18. Dunking on Dwight

Kobe Bryant Dunk on Dwight Howard

Kobe's feelings toward Dwight Howard came to light when the two were teammates in 2012-13, but evidence shows that Bryant wasn't all that nice to Howard early on in his career.

17. Dropping 12 threes on the Sonics

Not known as an elite 3-point shooter, Kobe had it going in 2003, sinking an NBA record 12 threes in a win over the Seattle Supersonics.

16. 1997 Slam Dunk contest

While he relied on mid-range jumpers and fadeaways near the end of his career, Bryant started off as one of the game's high-flyers. He garnered national attention for his ridiculous hops as a rookie, winning the 1997 Slam Dunk contest.

15. Final All-Star Game

Kobe Bryant Exits Final All-Star Game

Playing in his 18th and final All-Star Game, Kobe was the crowd favorite in Toronto. He received the loudest reception during player introductions, a touching video montage, and a standing ovation as he exited the court.

14. The First

It wasn't his greatest Finals appearance, but Kobe looked like a star in the making early in his career, collecting a championship at just 22 years of age.

13. Winning his fourth All-Star Game MVP

There was no such thing as friendly competition for "The Black Mamba," even in All-Star Games. Bryant took home four MVPs throughout his career, with the latest coming in 2011.

12. Gold in Beijing

On a team stacked with All-Stars and future Hall of Famers, Kobe served as the alpha dog during the United States' 2008 Olympic run, helping the "Redeem Team" to a gold medal.

11. No. 5

After losing to the Boston Celtics in the 2008 Finals, Kobe got revenge just two years later when he collected the fifth championship of his illustrious career. The victory also gave the ever-competitive Bryant one more ring than his rival Shaq.

10. Staring down Matt Barnes

Kobe Doesn't Flinch.

Kobe's reputation as a cold-blooded assassin never rang truer than during a regular-season matchup in 2009-10. Then-Orlando Magic swingman Matt Barnes tried to rattle Kobe's cage by pretending to throw the ball at his face. Barnes' attempt to get in Bryant's head couldn't have possibly gone any worse.

9. 1998 All-Star Game

Playing in his first All-Star Game at just 19 years of age, Kobe didn't back down from any of his competitors. Bryant held his own against Michael Jordan that night, collecting 18 points for the West squad.

8. Three-peat

Shaq may have been racking up the MVP awards, but Kobe became more instrumental to the Lakers' dynasty with each passing year. The New Jersey Nets were no match for the duo in the 2002 Finals, as Los Angeles cruised to its third straight championship.

7. Hitting two free throws with a torn Achilles

Kobe showed the world that not even the most devastating of leg injuries could stop him. Limping to the line, Kobe calmly sunk both his late-game free throws during Game 80 of the 2012-13 regular season.

6. The Alley-oop

Kobe Memories: KB to Shaq Alley Oop WCF 2000 NBA Game 7 Blazers vs Lakers

Entering the fourth quarter of Game 7 of the Western Conference finals with a 13-point lead, the Portland Trail Blazers looked destined to reach the 2000 NBA Finals. That all changed in a heartbeat, as the Lakers - led by a young Kobe - stormed back. Los Angeles outscored Portland 31-13 in the fourth quarter by way of an offensive flood that was accentuated by Bryant's beautiful alley-oop pass to Shaq, which had the Staples Center rocking.

5. Buzzer-beater over Suns

Kobe Bryant buzzer beater vs Phoenix Suns

Phoenix ultimately won the series, but Kobe's late-game heroics instilled fear in the 54-win Suns. Down one point in Game 4, the Lakers put the ball into Bryant's hands, allowing "The Black Mamba" to work his magic.

4. Game 4 of the 2000 NBA Finals

While Kobe had already showed he was capable of becoming a great NBA player, his performance during Game 4 of the 2000 Finals made it known and certain he was bound for stardom. Shaq fouled out, and Bryant took over down the stretch to help break the series open for Los Angeles.

3. MVP at last

Despite almost single-handedly carrying the Lakers following Shaq's departure, it took a while for Kobe to earn hardware for his individual efforts. Finally, in 2007-08, Bryant was named MVP for the only time in his career.

2. The first without Shaq

Despite leading the league in scoring in back-to-back seasons, Kobe earned more than his fair share of criticism for failing to win a title without Shaq. That all changed in June 2009, when Bryant won his first Finals MVP after defeating the Orlando Magic in five games.

1. 81 points

With Smush Parker, Kwame Brown, and Chris Mihm serving as regular starters for the Lakers, Kobe was often forced to carry the scoring load for Los Angeles in 2005-06. This was especially the case on Jan. 22, 2006, when Bryant dropped 81 points and sealed his status as one of the NBA's all-time greatest players.

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