THE basketball hall of fame has inducted three great superstars of this generation. Kevin Maurice Garnett, Timothy Theodore Duncan, and Kobe Bean Bryant. I have to admit, I grew up watching Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, but I learned more about basketball from these three combined. As a tribute to their stellar careers, I will be sharing their best games against each other. Incidentally, every matchup they had brought out the best in their games. Here is a trip down memory lane.
Game 4, 2002 Western Conference Semifinals (Spurs vs. Lakers)
Tim Duncan had a monster game, 30 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. Against any other team, this was a sure formula for winning but not against the Lakers. In this series, Kobe Bryant found the will to dominate as well. This game was where Kobe hit the game-winning shot en route to his 31-point production and a pivotal win to defeat the Spurs 4 games to one.
Game 6, 2008 NBA Finals (Celtics vs. Lakers)
This game was the title-clinching game for the Celtics demolishing Kobe and the Lakers. Led by KG’s 26 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists, they won their 17th NBA championship and the first for Kevin Garnett.
Game 7, 2010 NBA Finals (Lakers vs. Celtics)
After falling short in 2008 against the Celtics, it was Kobe’s turn to return the favor. In a back and forth battle, Kobe scored 10 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter. He finished the game with 23 points, 15 rebounds, and two assists -- willing his way to his 5th NBA title and second straight NBA Finals MVP trophy.
Career Highlights
Tim Duncan (19 Seasons (1997-2016) San Antonio Spurs)
5x NBA Champion, 3x NBA Finals MVP, 2x NBA MVP, 15x NBA All-Star, 2000 NBA All-Star Game MVP
Kevin Garnett (21 Seasons (1995-2016, Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets)
2008 NBA Champion, 2004 NBA MVP, 15x NBA All-Star, 2003 NBA All-Star Game MVP
Kobe Bryant (20 Seasons (1996-2016), Los Angeles Lakers
5x NBA Champion, 2x NBA Finals MVP, 2008 NBA MVP, 18x NBA All-Star, 4x NBA All-Star Game MVP
Combined, they account for eleven NBA Titles and four MVP trophies. Careers genuinely worthy of their induction to the 2020 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Congratulations, you all deserve to be enshrined along with the basketball greats!