Early in the second quarter, George Karl decided to rest both Anthony and Iverson.
The Nuggets sent out an all-bench lineup led by J.R. Smith.
This group of bench bandits had one style of play: Chaos.
J.R. came out firing, instantly draining a transition three. Then, he completed a tough 2-and-1 finish through contact.
In the blink of an eye, the 13-point lead was cut down to 7.
When this guy got hot, the rim looked as wide as the ocean to him. Defense? That word didn't exist in his vocabulary.
On the Lakers' side, the backcourt defensive duo of Vujacic and Farmar looked paper-thin. The advantage built by the starters was evaporating.
Phil Jackson was forced to bring the starters back early.
But a Nuggets team that had found its rhythm wasn't going to let the opportunity slip.
The second quarter turned into a brawl.
Anthony found his stroke, hitting two consecutive mid-range jumpers. Iverson also dished out several beautiful assists.
For the Lakers, Kobe continued to prioritize passing. Link, using Kobe's gravity, knocked down two more three-pointers.
---
At halftime, the score was 62-52, Lakers up by 10.
Kobe had 12 points and 7 assists at the half. Link was efficient, shooting 4-for-5 from deep for 16 points.
In the locker room, the Zen Master continued to emphasize tempo control.
"Guys, the rhythm in the first half was good. Keep it up. Protect the glass!"
Kobe, icing his knees, spoke up. "AI was frustrated in the first half. He's going to come out swinging in the third."
Link nodded.
He had watched plenty of tape on Iverson. This man, barely six feet tall, possessed the pride and unyielding spirit of a giant. After being suppressed in the first half, he would undoubtedly strike back with ferocity.
Halftime ended.
Sure enough, as soon as the third quarter started, the look in Iverson's eyes had changed.
First possession: After a pick-and-roll, he got the switch onto Link.
Iverson hit him with three massive crossovers in a row, his speed so fast he left afterimages. Finally, he used his signature killer crossover to create space and buried a pull-up jumper.
62-54.
Lakers possession. Kobe tried to force a pass inside, but Anthony read it and stole the ball.
Nuggets fast break. Iverson caught the ball, didn't wait for his teammates, and pulled up from a step beyond the arc.
Swish!
62-57. The lead was down to 5.
Staples Center went silent for a beat.
Running back on defense, Iverson turned toward the Lakers bench, cupped his hand to his ear, and flashed his classic "I can't hear you" gesture.
The Lakers fans grew somber.
"AI is still that MVP! Kenny! I told you, don't write him off!"
The classic celebration was back, and fans across America were witnessing the show!
Arrogant. The same defiant AI, down to his bones.
---
The Nuggets were feeling it.
Kobe received the inbound pass, expressionless.
The next possession, he didn't pass.
He faced up Anthony at the top of the key. After a series of between-the-legs dribbles, he pulled up for a mid-range jumper.
Swish!
Good!
65-57.
An answer ball!
But Iverson was seeing red.
He used screens to drive, finishing with acrobatic jelly layups. He got a steal and finished a fast break high off the glass over Link's chase-down attempt. He even threw in an off-balance banked three as the shot clock expired.
In the third quarter alone, Iverson exploded for 14 points.
He was practically carrying the Nuggets on his back.
Anthony also found his range from outside, hitting two threes.
By the end of the third, the score was 88-82.
Relying on the elite isolation scoring of their Golden Double Guns, the Nuggets kept chipping away. The Lakers' lead had shrunk to just 6 points.
Kobe only scored 5 points in the third but dished out 3 assists. Link had 21 points through three quarters, remaining highly efficient. However, under the Nuggets' intensified defense late in the quarter, he couldn't find many open looks. With Link's current skill set, he couldn't yet force high-volume scoring against tight coverage.
---
Fourth Quarter. The Final Battle.
George Karl only let Iverson rest for two minutes.
In those two minutes, J.R. Smith went rogue and hit another three, cutting the deficit to just 1 point at one stage.
At the 10:11 mark, Iverson checked back in. He had already played nearly 30 minutes. At this rate, he was heading for 40.
Simultaneously, Kobe returned to the floor.
Kobe's face was cold, his eyes terrifyingly focused. He demanded the ball immediately.
Link realized: Kobe was about to take over.
Sure enough.
First play, Kobe caught the ball in the right post. Back to the basket against Anthony. Bump, spin, fadeaway!
Good. 90-82.
Nuggets offense. Iverson drove and kicked. Anthony nailed an open three!
90-85.
Kobe brought the ball up court.
After a pick-and-roll switch, he was matched up with J.R. Smith.
Kobe turned his back and bullied his way into the paint. He muscled through J.R. for a layup off the glass!
92-85!
Kobe in this era hadn't slimmed down yet. He was an absolute tank among guards. Even against Anthony or LeBron, he didn't lose out on strength. J.R. simply couldn't handle the bully ball.
"Here we go!" the commentator shouted. "Kobe Bryant has entered scoring mode!"
Iverson tried to respond, driving and drawing a foul. Two made free throws.
92-87.
Kobe came right back, using a screen to drive. He slashed into the paint, avoided Camby's help defense in mid-air, and hit an extreme fadeaway.
Bucket! And the foul!
95-87.
Start of the fourth, Kobe had fully engaged scoring mode, scoring 7 straight points to keep the Lakers ahead.
The Black Mamba, having conserved energy for three quarters, now bared his fangs.
The rest of the game became the Kobe Bryant Show.
Fadeaway jumpers over Anthony's tight defense. Pull-up mid-range shots off simple screens. He even grabbed an offensive rebound for a put-back.
Unstoppable.
Absolutely unguardable!
In the fourth quarter alone, Kobe poured in 16 points, single-handedly destroying the Nuggets' comeback attempt.
This season, he had repeatedly taken over in the final frame. He was the undisputed "King of the Fourth Quarter"!
With 1:07 left on the clock.
Kobe hit a signature turnaround fadeaway to make the score 107-96.
As the Lakers locked up the victory, Staples Center went into a frenzy.
The final buzzer sounded.
110-99, Lakers win at home.
Kobe finished with 33 points and 8 assists, with 21 of those points coming in the second half.
Link finished with 22 points, shooting 5-of-8 from three-point range.
Iverson put up a hollow 32 points and 6 assists, while Anthony added 24.
"Ladies and gentlemen, what a game! We have to tip our hats to Allen Iverson, but without a doubt, Kobe Bryant is the winner tonight!"
"Thanks for watching this TNT national broadcast. See you next time!"
"..."
---
After the game, players exchanged hugs.
Kobe and Iverson embraced tightly, whispering something in each other's ears before patting each other on the back.
Ten years of rivalry, now distilled into pure mutual respect.
Link walked over to Iverson, who was adjusting his arm sleeve.
"Great game, AI." Link extended his hand.
Iverson looked up, sized Link up, then reached out and shook his hand firmly.
"The Prophet? You move like a ghost," AI's voice was raspy. "I hate guarding guys like you."
"Your speed is the real ghost," Link smiled.
Iverson smirked, a half-smile playing on his lips. He let go, turned, and walked toward the tunnel, his iconic cornrows visible to the end.
Link watched his retreating figure, recalling the descriptions of Iverson from his past life.
Paranoid, lonely, an enemy of the world, yet always true to himself. The ultimate "Answer" who played the role of the tragic hero to perfection.
He turned and looked at Kobe, who was surrounded by media.
That was the other extreme: a winner who was paranoid about victory, perfectly blending individual brilliance with team success.
Two completely different legendary paths crossed tonight at Staples Center.
The lights were blinding, and the cheers rolled on.
---