The Kobe Show: Bryant Scores 26, Dazzles As Lakers Rout Thunder, 101-85

Like Peyton Manning in football, Jay-Z in life, Pujols in baseball, or… Jimmie Johnson in racing? (Right? That’s a thing right?) Kobe’s had a tumultuous run in the public eye. But beyond all the Lakers controversy, his preening, occasionally nauseating media persona, and the turmoil of his personal life, there’s something pure about Kobe’s brilliance on the court.

H-O-R-S-E shot over the backboard (:15 sec), lefty buzzer-beater (:41 sec), splits the defense for two (1:06), or the stop-and-go to de-pants Thabo Selfalosha (1:23)? Take your pick. And remember: enjoy it while it lasts.

SB Nation’s Lakers blog, Silver Screen and Roll, was certainly smitten by Kobe Bryant’s efficient performance, but wants to remind everyone that this was a total team domination.

Of course, Kobe was a big part of the win too, considering he pulled out a ton of nearly impossible shots from his bag of tricks.