OKC Thunder: How a fly over state has been caught in the middle of NBA History
By Rylan Stiles
Kobe Bean Bryant:
The historic crossovers did not stop there, far from it, that was just the beginning. Not only was the first-ever OKC Thunder playoff series against the eventual champion Lakers, but in 2012, the OKC Thunder was the final opponent that Kobe Bryant would ever face in the postseason.
The Thunder won that series in five games, but on his way out the door, Kobe Bryant left the NBA with a nice postseason parting gift. He posted 42 points in game five, after 30 point efforts in games three and four.
Related Story. Kobe Bryant's top 5 games versus Thunder. light
Kobe’s legendary postseason career ended at Chesapeake Energy Arena in downtown Oklahoma City. The Thunder went on to win the Western Conference in 2012 by sweeping the defending champion Mavericks, knocking off Kobe, and overcoming the legendary Spurs.
The final regular-season road game for the mamba in his amazing NBA career was also in Bricktown on April 11th of 2016. Bryant gave the Thunder 13 points and a rebound in a 33 point loss to the OKC Thunder.
In his final postseason series for his career, the Hall of Famer, and one of the best players to ever play the game averaged 31 points, five rebounds, and three assists against the OKC Thunder.
Kobe will be a legendary story that will continue to be told for the rest of time and that story would not be complete without mentioning his run ins with the OKC Thunder.