To put this into perspective Michael Jordan’s game high came in an overtime victory, in which he tallied 69 points. It’s true that Jordan spread the ball around more and made his teammates better, but 69 was his limit.
But Bryant didn’t do this all on his own. He had the Toronto Raptors to help him. Last time Toronto met the Lakers in December, they managed to hold Bryant to a mere 11 points. The Raptors didn’t fare as well in this meeting. How the Raptors and their coaching staff couldn’t devise and implement a mid-game change to shut down one player reflects terribly on them.
Regardless of the extenuating circumstances, Kobe Bryant’s 81 points will go down as an historic event. If nothing else, it serves as an inspired individual performance. But in its most grandiose interpretations (of which there will be many), it reveals the greatness Bryant is capable of achieving given the right team, a playoff worthy team. Until Bryant has one, 81 will have to suffice.
Article comments
1 - sal m
actually considering the wretched state of the nba it's amazing that there haven't been more games like this over the past few years...perhaps this kind of point total has been achieved because so many guys have horrendous shooting percentages and kobe IS one of the better shooters in the league.
2 - Temple Stark
HI Chris,
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and maybe say hello to the Yahoo group?
3 - Chris Inkpen
To sal,
Hey, I couldn't agree with you more. I think the current defenses that most teams implement are weak and inefficient at heart. But teams like Detroit, Memphis, and San Antonio can still play incredible defense and hold teams under 60. Its obvious thats why two of them have been so dominant, its true in football and basketball- Defense wins championchips. Also, I think its pretty incredible that Jordan managed to put up 69, playing like he does, against teams actually geared towards defense in his day. I agree with your points.
To the yahoo group,
Hi, my name is Chris Inkpen. I recently interviewed for the contributing editor internship with Eric and am trying to put out some articles on politics and sports. I'll be in touch soon, if anyone has any recommendations for articles in the yahoo groups, I would appreciate that, thanks.
4 - RJ Elliott
Fine post.
Kobe Bryant is, for better or for worse, one of the most interesting atheletes on the planet.
He's won championships. But he's also lost championships. He's been accused of rape. But he wasn't convicted of rape. He can score 81 points in a single game. But his team is only 22-19, and didn't even make the playoffs last year.
He's unpredictable, that Kobe.
5 - Matthew T. Sussman
Welcome to the camp. Make yourself comfortable, but please wear underwear. It's only common courtesy.
Oh, and was I the only one who cursed when they saw that box score with the "81?"
6 - lionel
kobe is tremendously furiously a talented player.!!! he makes history...unbelievable player is that Wow!!!!!
7 - Pratyush
A wee bit slow on the reaction there Lionel.
8 - Stryke
Kobe, having great potential, may be able to surpass the Michael Jordan. But, unless he becomes a team player and makes his team win titles on his own, he'll remain as he is, a great potential.
9 - Viren Patel
Kobe best player in NBA hands down
10 - JTrill
Kobe is a Beast... Plain and simple!!!