Kobe Hits Over-the-Backboard Shot

These days, we expect greatness from our NBA stars, and Kobe Bryant is one who delivers on a consistent basis. On Sunday night, he drilled one of the craziest shots of his career in the Lakers' game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Kobe got the ball on the low post, guarded closely by OKC's James Harden. As he tried to spin to the hoop, Harden bumped him just enough to force him along the baseline right behind the basket. Thinking he would draw the foul, he fired up a shot from near out of bounds along the baseline that sailed high over the backboard and fell perfectly through the net, mimicking Larry Bird's famous shot that forced a rule change and Rajon Rondo's high-soaring floater over the Sixers' Jason Smith.

The Lakers got two points for Kobe's circus shot whereas Larry Legend's shot was then against the rules. The NBA later changed those rules, declaring that if the shooter is clearly in bounds, such a shot would count. I'm sure Kobe is glad for the rule-change, giving him yet another spot on the court for him to hit improbable shots from.

Check out the video after the jump.

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With the help of Kobe's acrobatics, the Lakers beat the Thunder easily, winning 101-85 and moved to 10-3, just one game shy of the division leader Phoenix Suns.

Kobe finished with 26 points, seven assists, six boards and two steals. He also got plenty of help in the paint as Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol put up a combined 40 points and were responsible for snatching 16 off the glass.

The Lakers were able to slow the promising 21-year-old, Kevin Durant, holding him to 19 points and six rebounds. The Thunder have been enjoying his astonishing success this season -- the former Longhorn is averaging 27 points and seven boards, leading the team to a 7-7 record that lands them in the middle of the Northwest division.

Sunday's game puts the Lakers on a three-game winning streak going into their next game at home against the Knicks on Tuesday.

Follow Chris Sesno on twitter: @csesno