Remembering "81" points by Kobe Bryant

[Saskibaloia]

It is the 5th anniversary of the incredible performance of Kobe Bryant and his 81 points against the Raptors.

What was your reaction when you heard the news?

What were your feelings when columnist after columnist immediately started stating that he was equal to Jordan?

My personal reaction was the same as Brent Barry, "So how many assists did he have?" Since I'm a King James fan and a fan of pass-first teams and superstars who loved to pass the ball (such as Larry Bird), my obvious reaction was how could someone get so much points and why did he get so much points? Who was he playing and how tough was the opposing team's defense?

I have to admit it was "out of this world" to do something like that but for many Kobe haters (but I still respect him as a player and acknowledge that he is currently the best player on the planet), I am sure that we immediately started thinking, "BALL HOG, BALL HOG, BALL HOG".

However, at the end of the day, this was something special and something that might not be replicated or overtaken for a long time as there are very few current players who have the individual capabilites to be able to score that much points.

(Source: ESPN NBA)

[Test]

I remember he scored 62 in 3 Quarters of one game around that time. Everybody were talking about that, and then 81. I was sure that he will continue doing this and later that season would score even more.

Everyone were comparing his performance to Wilts 100. And IMO 81 Kobes points was better. 5 Years and no one even scored 60 in one game since that time, correct me if I am wrong

[Khalid80]

I remember he scored 62 in 3 Quarters of one game around that time. Everybody were talking about that, and then 81. I was sure that he will continue doing this and later that season would score even more.

Everyone were comparing his performance to Wilts 100. And IMO 81 Kobes points was better. 5 Years and no one even scored 60 in one game since that time, correct me if I am wrong

Good memory Test (regarding the 62 points not the whole post )
Kobe scored 62 points 1 month before that against the Mavs and he sat out the 4th quarter.

As for who scored 60 ever since January 22, 2006 (when Kobe scored 81) here's the list and it's not that surprising:

1) Gilbert Arenas scores 60 points in OT against the Lakers (December 17, 2006) (Note: Arenas scored 16 of his team's 21 points in overtime, setting the NBA record).

2) Kobe Bryant scores 65 vs. the Trail Blazers (March 16, 2007) (Note: Kobe scored the basket that sent the game to OT. Scored nine in extra period.)

3) Kobe Bryant "the assassin " scores 60 vs. the Grizzlies (March 22, 2007) (Note: 3rd game of a four-game 50+ streak; Bryant's 50+ streak exceeded only by Chamberlain's streaks of seven (twice), six, and five (four times) ).

4) Kobe Bryant scores 61 vs. Knicks (February 2, 2009)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Basketball_Association_players_with_most_points_in_a_game

[Khalid80]

It is the 5th anniversary of the incredible performance of Kobe Bryant and his 81 points against the Raptors.

What was your reaction when you heard the news?

Man the thing is I didn't hear the news cause back then I used to wake up in the early morning to watch the games live (Our cable in Lebanon used to have NBA TV without paying anything extra..good old days )..

So imagine how would you feel waking up at like 4 a.m in the morning expecting to see a regular season game against the Raptors and end up watching such a performance......(I remember it was raining heavily outside that day in Beirut )
Wow!!! I still get goosebumps thinking about it.... I also remember that I watched most of the 3rd and 4th quarter while standing up... I don't know why but definitely I was really hyped and my eyes were glued to the TV set (I'm saying all this and i'm not like a huge Kobe fan even though I really have changed my thoughts about him considering how he has matured over the last few years).

[Saskibaloia]

Is Kobe currently the best offensive player?

Just going on a quick tangent, what amazes me is that some analysts would agree with Chuck that Carmelo Anthony is the best offensive player. However, I believe that Kobe has more of a complete and more efficient offensive game that Melo Man. I would still highly rank Melo in terms of offense as being number 2 easily however, I believe he is not as efficient as Kobe.

(I'm saying all this and i'm not like a huge Kobe fan even though I really have changed my thoughts about him considering how he has matured over the last few years).

That's why Kobe is being loved now compared to before ... and he's winning rings. During those dark days it was very hard for Kobe Lovers to claim that he was in par with Mike.

[Nikoo]

I'll never ever forget the 81 points game.
I remember it like it was yesterday - I woke up at 6:55(it was one of those late NBA games, 10:30 US time), turned on NBA TV Turkye(just like in Lebanon it was free, ohhh the good ole days) 3:00 to the end of the third Q, Kobe drove the baseline and layed it in, the comentator said 49(thanks to the TV I was able to count to 80 in turkish ), later on Kobe stole the ball and slammed it down. At that point I decided to skip the first class in school . The fourth Q began and the rest is history...
After the game I went to school and skiped one class more, because I was recreating Kobes performance basket-by-basket for my friends

[CKR13]

I was fortunate to having watched that historic game. I though Bryant would score like 60 or more and Bryant went on scoring 81 points. Second to Chamberlain for most points scored in an NBA game.

[Test]

Good memory Test (regarding the 62 points not the whole post )
Kobe scored 62 points 1 month before that against the Mavs and he sat out the 4th quarter.

As for who scored 60 ever since January 22, 2006 (when Kobe scored 81) here's the list and it's not that surprising:

1) Gilbert Arenas scores 60 points in OT against the Lakers (December 17, 2006) (Note: Arenas scored 16 of his team's 21 points in overtime, setting the NBA record).

2) Kobe Bryant scores 65 vs. the Trail Blazers (March 16, 2007) (Note: Kobe scored the basket that sent the game to OT. Scored nine in extra period.)

3) Kobe Bryant "the assassin " scores 60 vs. the Grizzlies (March 22, 2007) (Note: 3rd game of a four-game 50+ streak; Bryant's 50+ streak exceeded only by Chamberlain's streaks of seven (twice), six, and five (four times) ).

4) Kobe Bryant scores 61 vs. Knicks (February 2, 2009)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...ints_in_a_game

Wow. None of this I remember. I guess after 81 points every other 60-70 score game is not so memorized.

[dxjayrock2008]

If only Kobe can do this again. He'll have the ultimate bragging rights in NBA and basketball history.

[Khalid80]

If only Kobe can do this again. He'll have the ultimate bragging rights in NBA and basketball history.

Very unlikely to happen ever again... Kobe then was in his prime (28 years old), healthy, averaging 41 minutes a game, as well as 35 points per game)...

Now Kobe is 32, has just mentioned that there's no more cartilege left in his knees, averaging 33 minutes as well as 25 points per game.

I'm not saying that he can't score 50 or maybe even 60 points again but scoring 81 points these days is a really tough task to accomplish for anyone.

[Saskibaloia]

Very unlikely to happen ever again... Kobe then was in his prime (28 years old), healthy, averaging 41 minutes a game, as well as 35 points per game)...

Now Kobe is 32, has just mentioned that there's no more cartilege left in his knees, averaging 33 minutes as well as 25 points per game.

I'm not saying that he can't score 50 or maybe even 60 points again but scoring 81 points these days is a really tough task to accomplish for anyone.

I was just thinking who right now could possibly bypass such a feat. I would have to easily say Kevin Durant however, I believe that to reach such a feat there's some key factors. Firstly, in a positive way, you have to definitely be a ball hog. I'm not disrespecting the 2nd best player in the history of the game (Kobe Bryant) but by far back in 2006 he was the ultimate Ball Hog. Secondly, you have to have the competitive spirit like the NBA Greats such as Mike, Kobe, Magic and Larry. You have to believe that YOU are the one only able to carry the team and thus, only you can score all the team's points. Finally, you definitely need a coach who will totally give you a green light. If not, he'll probably bench you for hogging the rock. Kevin Durant has the skills, abilities, size and competitive fire to do such a thing but whether or not he could reach 81, I'm not so sure but I believe that he can reach past 65 points especially in an era where the defense is not as good as back in the past.

[Strida]

It was one of the best scoring seasons in NBA history. Really impressive stuff.

[Khalid80]

I was just thinking who right now could possibly bypass such a feat. I would have to easily say Kevin Durant however, I believe that to reach such a feat there's some key factors. Firstly, in a positive way, you have to definitely be a ball hog. I'm not disrespecting the 2nd best player in the history of the game (Kobe Bryant) but by far back in 2006 he was the ultimate Ball Hog. Secondly, you have to have the competitive spirit like the NBA Greats such as Mike, Kobe, Magic and Larry. You have to believe that YOU are the one only able to carry the team and thus, only you can score all the team's points. Finally, you definitely need a coach who will totally give you a green light. If not, he'll probably bench you for hogging the rock. Kevin Durant has the skills, abilities, size and competitive fire to do such a thing but whether or not he could reach 81, I'm not so sure but I believe that he can reach past 65 points especially in an era where the defense is not as good as back in the past.

If Lebron was still with the Cavs then he would have been the one most likely to do so....
I don't believe that Durant can be capable of such a performance. Durant has been very consistent in his scoring... Even though he's the leading scorer of the NBA he always manages to have games in the 25-35 points per game range.
I can't see anyone being able to have such a feat mainly because there aren't any prolific scorers like Kobe used to be...
I actually see a guy like Monta Ellis scoring 60 points more than Durant mainly because of the other team he's playing with and their high scoring style of play..

[seigle42]

81 BUWAKAW Points!

BUWAKAW in Tagalog word

[Khalid80]

I don't believe that Durant can be capable of such a performance. Durant has been very consistent in his scoring... Even though he's the leading scorer of the NBA he always manages to have games in the 25-35 points per game range.

I guess Durant read my post, got seriously ticked off, and decided to score his career high of 47 points and 18 rebounds in retaliation