Kobe Bryant was on a mission against the Denver Nuggets, matching a season-high 31 points while cutting up their defense with his passing in the third quarter. The Los Angeles Lakers were down by as many as 21 points, but a second-half charge filled with vintage moments from the Black Mamba led to one of the greatest bench moments in recent memory.
Kobe took his man off the dribble, drove toward the paint, planted his pivot foot and twirled around to hit a tough jumper with his defender in his face. It was a beautiful shot -- a showcase of the kind of footwork that's defined the second half of his career and haunted defenders.