“The moment you give up is the moment you let someone else win”

These are the words of the late great Kobe Bryant that continues to reverberate around the world.

His attitude inspired an entire generation to become fans of not only the Lakers, but transformed part-time fans into diehards.

Kobe had the ability to step up when the Lakers needed him most and more importantly, during games that mattered most.

He is the definition of the ‘Clutch Shooter Badge’ on NBA2k.

The desire and perseverance for Kobe to win leaves behind a legacy of one of the most revered athletes of all-time.

That championship mentality he had, the ‘Mamba Mentality’ that he created, is now legendary.

There are too many moments to name where Kobe came up clutch to overcome insurmountable odds but there are three that stick out to me.

The 27-point comeback

Lakers vs Mavs 2002 4th Quarter – Greatest Comeback In Laker History! NBA The Lakers down 27 at the start of the 4th quarter sparked the greatest comeback in Lakers history led by Kobe Bryant’s 21 in the quarter. 2002-2003 regu…

On December 7, 2002, Kobe and the Lakers trailed the Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash led Mavericks by 30 points at one stage.

Behind by 27-points in the 4th-quarter, you’d have forgiven the Lakers for letting this one go and getting ready for the next game.

Laker fans had already left the arena thinking it was a blowout before Kobe stepped up, exploding for 21 points in the 4th-quarter alone and grabbing the lead with 8.4 seconds left.

The Lakers closed out the game on a 44-15 run, completing what was and still is the biggest comeback in their history and winning 105–103

Kobe outscores the entire Mavericks

On December 20, 2005, Kobe Bryant scored what was a career-high 62 points against Dallas, an 11-year high in the NBA at the time.

What made his performance next level was that all 62-points came in only three quarters of play. Kobe sat the entire fourth quarter with the Lakers firmly in control.

When Bryant drilled a 3-pointer with 4.4 seconds remaining in the third quarter, he eclipsed the entire Mavericks team as the quarter ended, which had 61 points after three quarters.

It didn’t seem anything went right for the Mavs on this day. Dirk Nowitzki was hit in the face by a stray arm from Bryant during the third-quarter and when the foul was called on Nowitzki he received a tech. Foul for throwing his mouthpiece.

Kobe Goes For 62 Points in 3 Quarters!!! Check Out Every Point! 12.20.2005 Celebrate the anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s 62 point 3 quarter masterpiece by watching every single point. About the NBA: The NBA is the premier professional …

Not long after, Josh Howard was called for a flagrant foul after a clothesline on a Kobe drive and Mavs coach Avery Johnson was then called on a second tech foul for the quarter which he was ejected for.

The Lakers ultimately won the game 112-90 and as for Kobe, fans would have to wait just one month later to see what he can do in four quarters as he set a career-high 81 points against the Toronto Raptors.

Two buzzer beaters to beat the Suns in OT

On April 30, 2006 in Game 4 of the Western Conference first round playoffs, Kobe scored TWO buzzer beaters to beat the Steve Nash led Phoenix Suns.

One forced OT and the other to win it in the extra period. Poor old Steve Nash was again the victim of Kobe in the clutch.

With the Lakers down by two with 8 seconds left, the Suns turned over possession from an inbound pass with Kobe scoring the layup.

In the extra period Kobe went clutch mode again.

He collected the ball following a tip-off with 6 seconds on the clock, drove the ball down court, pulled up from the right and swished the ball as the buzzer went off.

The STAPLES Center crowd went absolutely ballistic having witnessed one of the Lakers greatest wins.

Unfortunately for the Lakers they would give up a commanding 3-1 lead to lose the series to the Suns in seven.

So annoyed was Bryant by the collapse, he orchestrated an attempt to be traded away from LA frustrated by the lack of roster improvements.

The series loss was the catalyst for the Lakers to make some personnel changes which paved the way to Kobe leading the team to be crowned 2009 and 2010 champions.

Related: The Best NBA Draft Ever? 1996 Throwback feat. Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson

These are just a few examples of Kobe’s perseverance and drive which took his game to the next level.

What he did on the court was next level and it’s hard to come up with the words to describe Kobe’s mentality which helped me to deliver on the court.

Kobe Bryant Game Winning Shot vs Suns – 2006 Playoffs Kobe Bryant’s Historic Game tying and Game Winning shots vs Phoenix. HD

The only thing I’ve got in my vocabulary is the Mamba Mentality. That’s what it came down to. Kobe ‘constantly trying to be the best version of yourself’, which is what the Mamba Mentality is all about.