Friday, January 27, 2006

About Kobe's 81 Points...

Kobe Bryant recently shot 81 points in a game, the second highest in NBA history, behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point night. Forum Blue and Gold puts that performance in historical perspective:

On Wilt’s big night [100 points], it is rumored that the promoter for the game in Hershey wanted Wilt, with the collusion/cooperation of his teammates, to try to get as many points as possible.

His 78 point game was a triple overtime affair.

David Thompson’s 73 came as he was locked in a last night of the season scoring battle with George Gervin.

David Robinson had 9 guys (your Los Angeles Clippers) helping him eclipse 70, so he could overtake a young Shaquille O’Neal on the final night of the season for the scoring crown.

None of these things can be said about Kobe’s Herculian feat. No premeditation. No help from the other team. No scoring title on the line. No sideshow atmosphere of a game played in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Just willing his listless team to a W.


Considering that there was no special circumstance, as in those other high scoring performances, one could argue that Kobe’s 81-point night was the single greatest offensive performance by one man in a game ever.

(Also, just for fun, check out this picture of Wilt Chamberlain. The referee behind him looks like a hobbit.)

1 comment:

Myrhaf said...

I'd hate to have to make that judgment yet. I believe he is as good a pure scorer as Jordan. I think Jordan was surrounded by better players in Chicago, so he did not have to carry as much of the offensive load as Kobe does. There are nights when Kobe has to put the team on his back and carry them, such as tonight's 106-105 overtime win over Golden State. Kobe had 5 points and 4 assists after three quarters. He was trying his best to get the others involved, but they were totally out of rhythm. Kobe ended the OT with 30 points. He had to take over the game for the Lakers to win.