BREAKING NEWS: Celebrities’ recollections of Game 7: Kobe Bryant stands out

THE CITY OF f OKLAHOMA (AP) Several sports superstars, including those outside the basketball community, were considering one player during Sunday night’s NBA Finals Game 7. Bryant, Kobe. 

In 2010, Bryant participated in just one Game 7 of the Finals, but for many in the sports world, his 23-point, 15-rebound performance that helped the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Boston Celtics 83-79 to win his fifth and final championship still stands out as the classic moment from final games.

Some of the responses to the NBA’s question about what Game 7 brings to mind were direct and to the point. “Kobe,” remarked soccer great David Beckham. “What am I thinking? According to tennis player Carlos Alcaraz, “I believe Lakers 2010 – Pau (Gasol) and Kobe.”

In Oklahoma City on Sunday, June 22, 2025, fans applaud prior to Game 7 of the Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Finals basketball series. (Image: Kyle Phillips/AP) “I thought of the Lakers-Celtics game in 2010 and the Cleveland-Golden State game where LeBron James and Kyrie Irving came up big late for the Cavaliers in 2016,” added another tennis legend, Novak Djokovic. “I´m thinking about electric atmosphere on the stands, no one is seated for the whole game,” Djokovic told reporters. “I´m thinking about Kobe and Gasol stellar performance in Game 7 of 2010 Lakers-Celtics and I´m thinking about LeBron´s block and Irving´s 3 pointer to seal the deal for Cavs vs Warriors Game 7 in 2016 thriller.”

James’ chase-down block against the Warriors’ Andre Iguodala in the closing seconds was hardly the only memorable aspect of the 2016 Cleveland-Golden State showdown. Mike Breen, the ABC host, likewise described the call in same way. Both Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua and tennis star Ben Shelton reacted, “Blocked by James,” recalling Breen’s remark exactly. A sample of additional answers gathered by the NBA: “Where legends are born.” Frances Tiafoe, a tennis player. “This is the game that everyone wants to watch: basketball. “I can’t wait!!!!!” – Kylian Mbappé, a soccer player.

“`All eyes.´ It´s my stage.” – Colorado football coach and former NFL and MLB star Deion Sanders .

GOAT TIME.” – NFL legend Jerry Rice.

 

“When I hear the words Game 7, I automatically think of the epic and legendary 3-pointer that Ray Allen made in Game 6 to force Game 7, where my Miami Heat team went on to win the NBA Finals championship.” – rapper Flo Rida.

 

“It´s About to Go Down!!! Who will become legend? MJ, Kobe, Bron … who´s next?” – Cedric the Entertainer.

 

“Control what you can control mentality! I just wanted to make sure I did all the little things for my team.” – Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade.

“Everything you ever worked on and worked for is all in this one moment. Take it play by play … leave it all on the court.” – former Heat guard Mario Chalmers.

“Play into the emotion. Don´t expect fair. Expect the unimaginable.” – Cleveland’s Iman Shumpert, part of the 2016 Cavs win.

Thunder Girls dancers lead a parade of fans to the arena before Game 7 of the NBA Finals basketball series between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings).

A police officer waves a flag before Game 7 of the NBA Finals basketball series between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings).