[onlooker]

Truly a ball hog. He only had two assist, and the rest of the team scored 41. At least they won with this performance.

Kobe's 81-point game second only to Wilt

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kobe Bryant scored a staggering 81 points -- the second-highest total in NBA history -- and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Toronto Raptors 122-104 Sunday night.

With the fans at Staples Center chanting "MVP! MVP!" Bryant made two free throws with 43.4 seconds remaining for his final points, putting him behind only Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time scoring list.

Chamberlain scored 100 points for Philadelphia against the New York Knicks at Hershey, Pa., on March 2, 1962. His second-highest total was 78 against the Lakers in three overtimes on Dec. 8, 1961.

"I couldn't even dream of this when I was a kid," Bryant said. "There was no way possible."

Bryant left to a standing ovation with 4.2 seconds remaining, having shot 28-of-46 from the floor and 18-of-20 from the foul line. He was 7-of-13 from 3-point range.

Elgin Baylor held the previous franchise record of 71 points at New York on Nov. 15, 1960.

Michael Jordan's career high was 69 points, and only four players had ever scored more than 70 -- Chamberlain, Baylor, David Thompson and David Robinson.

The 27-year-old Bryant made it five.

He played nearly 42 minutes, going the entire second half until being lifted by coach Phil Jackson. He scored 27 points in the third quarter and 28 more in the fourth.

That came on the same night the NBA had its highest-scoring game in 11 years when Seattle beat Phoenix 152-149 in two overtimes. The last 300-point game in the league came when Dallas beat Houston 156-147 in two overtimes on April 11, 1995, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Bryant's previous career high was 62 points during a 112-90 victory over Dallas last month, but sat out the fourth quarter because of the one-sided nature of the game.

Afterwards, Bryant said the Lakers were lethargic and that's why he turned it into overdrive. He said it was exhausting even to think about it and that he couldn't really process what happened yet.

When asked what he'd do Monday he said, "Make some breakfast, sit back, chill, watch some cartoons ... do that whole thing."

What cartoon? "Tom and Jerry, man."

Phil Jackson said he'd never seen anything like it. He also said he'd prefer to be able to win a game without having to get 81 from one player -- but that when that's what's needed, it was nice to have that weapon in his arsenal.

Jackson said at one point he told an assistant coach he was going to take Bryant out because he felt the game was won. Jackson said the assistant replied "'I don't think you're going to be able to do that. He's got 77."

Lamar Odom's 3-pointer with 7:04 remaining gave the Lakers a 100-93 lead, and Bryant scored 30 seconds later to give him 61 points and his team a nine-point advantage.

Bryant scored all but 15 of the Lakers' 42 points in the third quarter, shooting 11-of-15 including 4-of-5 from 3-point range. Six of his points came during a 12-0 run to finish the period, giving Los Angeles a 91-85 lead.

Smush Parker was second on the Lakers with 13 points and Chris Mihm added 12 points and eight rebounds.

Mike James had 26 points and 10 assists for Toronto. Chris Bosh added 18 points and eight rebounds and Jalen Rose scored 17 points.

The Lakers outscored the Raptors 38-14 to finish the third period to go ahead for good.

With Bryant on the bench, the Lakers were outscored 10-3 in the first 6 minutes of the second quarter. Sasha Vujacic's 3-pointer was their only field goal in 11 tries during that time.

The Raptors led by as many as 16 points in the period before settling for a 63-49 halftime lead. Bryant had 26 points and James had 19 points and nine assists in the first half.

Toronto shot 15-of-22 including 4-of-6 from 3-point range in the first quarter for a 36-29 lead.

Game notes
Bryant scored a season-low 11 points in the Lakers' 102-91 victory over the Raptors in Toronto last month. He had 14 in the first quarter of this game. ... The Raptors have gone 13-12 since losing 15 of their first 16 games this season. ... Bryant has led the Lakers in scoring in the last 21 games in which he's played. He entered with an NBA-leading 34.8-point average, and is averaging 45.5 points in 10 games since sitting out a two-game suspension. ... Toronto C Rafael Araujo, who has made 30 starts this season, missed his second straight game and third of the season because of a sore right shoulder. ... Bryant made his first five foul shots before missing late in the second quarter, snapping his streak of consecutive made free throws at 62. Michael Williams made an NBA-record 93 straight for Minnesota in 1993. ... Bryant received a technical foul with 10:44 left -- shortly after being accidentally struck above the right eye.

[onlooker]

Here is a rundown of the highest scoring games.

NBA single-game scorers
100 -- Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia vs. New York at Hershey, Pa., March 2, 1962.
81 -- Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers vs. Toronto, Jan. 22, 2006.
78 -- Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia vs. L.A. Lakers, Dec. 8, 1961 (3 OT).
73 -- David Thompson, Denver at Detroit, April 9, 1978.
73 -- Wilt Chamberlain, San Francisco at New York, Nov. 16, 1962.
73 -- Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia vs. Chicago, Jan. 13, 1962.
72 -- Wilt Chamberlain, San Francisco at L.A. Lakers, Nov. 3, 1962.
71 -- David Robinson, San Antonio at L.A. Clippers, April 24, 1994.
71 -- Elgin Baylor, L.A. Lakers at New York, Nov. 15, 1960.
70 -- Wilt Chamberlain, San Francisco vs. Syracuse, March 10, 1963.
69 -- Michael Jordan, Chicago at Cleveland, March 28, 1990.
68 -- Pete Maravich, New Orleans vs. New York, Feb. 25, 1977.
68 -- Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia vs. Chicago, Dec. 16, 1967.
Note: Wilt Chamberlain scored 67 points four times, 66 once and 65 points three times.

[pags11]

I did a double take when I saw this on sportscenter...I thought it was a mis-print at first...

[isetcap]

You call him a ball hog? Why would you want anybody else on that team shooting the ball when Kobe shoots 28 of 46? That's 61% from the field and 90% from the free throw line. They take him out of the game and Toronto goes on a 10-3 run. Simply put, he's healthy and the new guard rules are such that he can score 40 as an afterthought on any given night plus he plays allpro defense. Not only that, the Lakers are a winning team at home and on the road.

[bigboydan]

Wilt Chamberlain's was more impressive though, because he did it without assistance of the 3 point line.

[Bill Dozer]

That is just nuts. Did anyone Tivo that?

To be honest, I don't like to see the new NBA player surpass the true greats like Jordan but it was bound to happen. As long as the league continues to water down the teams with expansion and kids keep doggin it on D, I'm sure we will see some gunner break Wilt's record.

[bigboydan]

i didn't tivo that at all Bill. but, i'm sure it will be on ESPN classic soon enough.

[JoshW]

what can I say, that is a LOT of points.

[isetcap]

Wilt Chamberlain's was more impressive though, because he did it without assistance of the 3 point line.

Wilt couldn't have hit a three if his life depended on it! Wilt's was more impressive because he scored 100 and actually made some free throws. There are very few people who know just how impressive it was because the game was not televised and only a few thousand people showed up to witness the event. Through the decades that number has of course grown to hundreds of thousands...

[isetcap]

That is just nuts. Did anyone Tivo that?

To be honest, I don't like to see the new NBA player surpass the true greats like Jordan but it was bound to happen. As long as the league continues to water down the teams with expansion and kids keep doggin it on D, I'm sure we will see some gunner break Wilt's record.

The worst defense the league ever played was during the Magic/Bird, early Jordan era.

[sergfro]

Congrats on Kobe....Sucks that the team just kept feeding him the ball towards the end on every position. When he hit 60....you can easily tell the whole team gave up and gave the ball to kobe so he would score.....to give him credit..he was making some difficult shots.

[Illusion]

Absolutly amazing. I still can't believe he scored 55 in the 2nd half.

[shady610]

as amazing as this is, its still isnt the headline over NFL football. That bothers me.

[bigboydan]

Absolutly amazing. I still can't believe he scored 55 in the 2nd half.

you can't, hell i watch it and couldn't believe it.

[pags11]

50 is a ton of points, let alone 81...unbelievable...

[JoshW]

Press Release Source: WagerWeb.com


WagerWeb.com Posts Basketball Betting Odds on: Will Los Angeles Lakers Star Kobe Bryant Match or Better Wilt Chamberlain's NBA All-Time Single Game Points Scored Record During the 2006 NBA Season?
Tuesday January 24, 7:00 pm ET


ZAPOTE, Costa Rica, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Many of us headed to check out our hearing or eyesight when we got the news. Did they just say the Lakers star Kobe Bryant scored 81 points in an NBA basketball game? Not only was it true, but Bryant, who has been on a tear something fierce in recent weeks, ended up with the second most points ever in a single game in the proud history of the NBA. The only player to ever score more than Kobe was Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 100 in a game in 1962.
Many people have criticized Bryant, as of late, because he is scoring, but not often passing the ball. Regardless of your opinion of the Lakers star, Bryant had one of the best single game performances in the history of professional sports and his 81 points were 40 more than his entire team; He helped the Lakers come back from down 15 points to beat the Toronto Raptors.

"When I saw what Kobe did, I had to pinch myself 'cause I just simply couldn't believe it," said WagerWeb.com (http://www.wagerweb.com/) CEO Dave Johnson. "Bryant is truly a special player and he is capable of not only scoring 80 points again, but could possible break the all-time record of 100 that was set by Wilt Chamberlain back in the 1960's. We have already taken a large amount of wagers on Kobe doing just that."


WAGERWEB.COM POSTS BASKETBALL BETTING ODDS ON: KOBE BRYANT'S HIGHEST SCORING

GAME FOR THE REST OF THE 2006 REGULAR SEASON

60 points or less 1:2 -$200 *Risk $100 to win $200
61-70 points 1:1 +$100 *Risk $100 to win $100
71-80 points 4:1 +$400 *Risk $100 to win $400
81-90 points 10:1 +$1000 *Risk $100 to win $1000
91-100 points 20:1 +$2000 *Risk $100 to win $2000
101 or more points 30:1 +$3000 *Risk $100 to win $3000

*All wagers have action starting with the Lakers vs. Mavericks game on January 27th, 2006.

My square sides loves a $100 on 81-90, 91-100, and 101+. I likely won't bet, but still a cool offering.

[bigboydan]

i don't think he will score 60 or more the rest of the year IMO

[Illusion]

I'm sure he will pop 60 atleast one more time.

[onlooker]

I'm sure he will pop 60 atleast one more time.

With the team he has around him, Im sure there will be more outburst by Kobe.

Kobe will now think he can bring his team back from 18-20 down and win the game on a nightly basis. So he will be firing away more often probably.

[raiders72001]

Can't Compare Kobe and MJ

The eras in which they played are completely different

Kobe Bryant's 81-point performance the other night against Toronto was certainly incredible, but it is unfair to try and compare what Kobe did to what Michael Jordan did in his playing career or what he could have done for that matter.

In the era when Michael played, it was a physical game. Defense was promoted. Guys took pride in it. Today defense is no longer a part of the game. Guys are driving to the basket. There are rules where you can't step in front of them. To me, it is taking away from the game seeing a guy like Tony Parker taking advantage of the rules. He is shooting 55 percent from the field. That says something about the game itself. In the history of the NBA, I'm sure a point guard has never led the league in field goal percentage. It's a different game now. It's really not about being tough and physical because the NBA isn't a physical game anymore. When you talk about how the Knicks and Bulls used to battle in the early '90s, the Oakleys, and Pat Ewings, the Masons, and how they would have the ability to use their hands to put you in a trap position. There is no way you can even triple team a guy now and stop him. Any contact is a foul. I can't compare the two players because I see it as two different games. If I'm guarding Kobe Bryant in today's game, I couldn't be the defender I was known as.

The defensive rules, the hand checking, the ability to make contact on a guy in certain areas, the ability to come over in the lane to stop guys from getting to the basket, that's all been taken away from the game. There is no contact up on the floor. The way I played Magic Johnson in the '91 Finals, I would have fouled out the first time down court. To compare how someone would have played Michael Jordan, Chuck Daly would send someone to wear him down. Even though he may get 30 or 40 points, they're going to be a hard 30 points. But in today's game, you can't put that physical wear and tear on a guy. It's a free ball type of game. If you are shooting it well, you can score 80, as you've seen because you are going to get to the foul line.

Officials have very quick whistles now because they're promoting scoring. Let's not forget, three years ago, this league was trying to figure out how they could get the scoring back up, how they could drive the fans back into loving the game, and this is what they were building on. They changed the field of rules. Those rules are huge in the game today. They benefit the perimeter guy. Back in the day, you may get one guy to score 40 points in a month. When Michael Jordan scored 40, it was all over the front page of a newspaper. Now you can pretty much have 40 points at halftime. Until the league went and changed the rules and tried to get some of that bully ball out, you couldn't come out and perform like that every night. The game was too physical. You were too sore the next day and you were just tired and physically worn down. The game seems so fun and free now. Guys are making a living just standing out there shooting jumpers.

If you want to say that Kobe could get 100, I would say that Michael could get 100. If Kobe could get 81, I think Michael could get 100 in today's game. I think the psychological style that Michael was able to master in the game, puts him far beyond Kobe. But Kobe's youthfulness has put him in a position where it looks like he is overtaking Michael. Kobe has 10 years in this league. That is a lot of experience to have and still be a very youthful player.

I would love to see what would have happened the other night if the rules had been the same as in past years. Kobe is as close to being like Mike as anybody, but you can't make the comparisons anymore. Tracy McGrady can probably, from a numbers standpoint, put up the numbers Michael Jordan put up. He has that type of ability. Dirk Nowitzki can put up those kinds of numbers. The game is built for those guys to put those shots up. If they get touched, they get to the foul line. I would say Kobe is the most polished of all of them as far as being able to handle the ball and create his own shot and opportunity. But this is what the game is going to turn into. Guys are going to start to score 40 points regularly. It may become an average.

I don't think Kobe will get 100. What he did is what like Wilt did, a once in a lifetime experience. Given the fact that he shot a heck of a percentage it could have been better, but I don't think he still could have gotten to 100. It would almost have to be perfect and the game would have to go to overtime. I think a lot of things would have to come into play for him to get that.

With that said, I am sure Phil doesn't want to coach that type of game. It's not his style. I don't expect it to happen again. Phil will probably do everything in his power to make sure it doesn't. I don't think Phil is going to try to promote what Kobe has done more than anything because he has damaged his whole team. You just scored 81 points. Do you need your teammates? Are they going to step up when you need them or are you going to continue to pound them like you've been doing and be selfish just to get some individual accolades?

From a leadership perspective I think Kobe has taken a step back. Look at what he has to live up to now. You just scored 81 points. If you scored 81 points, your team should pretty much go out and win at least 75 percent of their games the rest of the year. Is that fair to say? You just compared yourself to Wilt. Can you go out with your team and do that or are you just going to go out and score tons of points every night? Are you going to get back to the point where you are shooting a lot of shots and you're teammates are not shooting and you're losing?

Right now, Kobe has willed the Lakers to a 22-19 record. It will be interesting to see what happens the rest of the way.

Posted by Scottie Pippen - Jan 24 2006 4:28PM

[JoshW]

Good readers Raiders. Where you in Chicago when Bulls any championships? I have always been a fairweather watcher of the NBA. The current game doesn't interest me at all. I never loved the game, but I watch my fair share of Bulls era games and Boston/LA before that and those could be some good TV, especially in the playoffs.

[raiders72001]

I was in Chicago for all of them. Pippen is 100% right about it being a different game. I forget what year it was but I went to game 6 of the playoffs Knicks/Bulls. I couldn't believe how Xavier McDaniel and Jordan were pounding on each other and they weren't the only ones.

[onlooker]

I was in Chicago for all of them. Pippen is 100% right about it being a different game. I forget what year it was but I went to game 6 of the playoffs Knicks/Bulls. I couldn't believe how Xavier McDaniel and Jordan were pounding on each other and they weren't the only ones.

Well look at what the bad boys of Detroit did to Jordan before the championships.

Then durning the championship runs, the Knicks use to beat them up for 7 games, and the Cavs banged them around some aswell.

Defense was a big part back just 10 years ago. It is a watered down league now with all these young bucks wanting glory. Plus new rule changes....

Just isnt the same, I agree with that.

[raiders72001]

I don't watch or bet the NBA anymore. Like LF I enjoyed it the most when Jordan, Bird and Majic were playing. I continued watching until a few years ago when Stockton retired and Malone went to the Lakers. They were the last two players that I liked to watch.

[Bill Dozer]

Scottie Pippen agrees with most of us. The league isn't nearly as competitive. It's nice to see they let Scottie speak his mind on this while they are peddling #81 Limited edition Kobe shirts.



Can't Compare Kobe and MJ
The eras in which they played are completely different

Kobe Bryant's 81-point performance the other night against Toronto was certainly incredible, but it is unfair to try and compare what Kobe did to what Michael Jordan did in his playing career or what he could have done for that matter.

In the era when Michael played, it was a physical game. Defense was promoted. Guys took pride in it. Today defense is no longer a part of the game. Guys are driving to the basket. There are rules where you can't step in front of them. To me, it is taking away from the game seeing a guy like Tony Parker taking advantage of the rules. He is shooting 55 percent from the field. That says something about the game itself. In the history of the NBA, I'm sure a point guard has never led the league in field goal percentage. It's a different game now. It's really not about being tough and physical because the NBA isn't a physical game anymore. When you talk about how the Knicks and Bulls used to battle in the early '90s, the Oakleys, and Pat Ewings, the Masons, and how they would have the ability to use their hands to put you in a trap position. There is no way you can even triple team a guy now and stop him. Any contact is a foul. I can't compare the two players because I see it as two different games. If I'm guarding Kobe Bryant in today's game, I couldn't be the defender I was known as.

The defensive rules, the hand checking, the ability to make contact on a guy in certain areas, the ability to come over in the lane to stop guys from getting to the basket, that's all been taken away from the game. There is no contact up on the floor. The way I played Magic Johnson in the '91 Finals, I would have fouled out the first time down court. To compare how someone would have played Michael Jordan, Chuck Daly would send someone to wear him down. Even though he may get 30 or 40 points, they're going to be a hard 30 points. But in today's game, you can't put that physical wear and tear on a guy. It's a free ball type of game. If you are shooting it well, you can score 80, as you've seen because you are going to get to the foul line.

Officials have very quick whistles now because they're promoting scoring. Let's not forget, three years ago, this league was trying to figure out how they could get the scoring back up, how they could drive the fans back into loving the game, and this is what they were building on. They changed the field of rules. Those rules are huge in the game today. They benefit the perimeter guy. Back in the day, you may get one guy to score 40 points in a month. When Michael Jordan scored 40, it was all over the front page of a newspaper. Now you can pretty much have 40 points at halftime. Until the league went and changed the rules and tried to get some of that bully ball out, you couldn't come out and perform like that every night. The game was too physical. You were too sore the next day and you were just tired and physically worn down. The game seems so fun and free now. Guys are making a living just standing out there shooting jumpers.

If you want to say that Kobe could get 100, I would say that Michael could get 100. If Kobe could get 81, I think Michael could get 100 in today's game. I think the psychological style that Michael was able to master in the game, puts him far beyond Kobe. But Kobe's youthfulness has put him in a position where it looks like he is overtaking Michael. Kobe has 10 years in this league. That is a lot of experience to have and still be a very youthful player.

I would love to see what would have happened the other night if the rules had been the same as in past years. Kobe is as close to being like Mike as anybody, but you can't make the comparisons anymore. Tracy McGrady can probably, from a numbers standpoint, put up the numbers Michael Jordan put up. He has that type of ability. Dirk Nowitzki can put up those kinds of numbers. The game is built for those guys to put those shots up. If they get touched, they get to the foul line. I would say Kobe is the most polished of all of them as far as being able to handle the ball and create his own shot and opportunity. But this is what the game is going to turn into. Guys are going to start to score 40 points regularly. It may become an average.

I don't think Kobe will get 100. What he did is what like Wilt did, a once in a lifetime experience. Given the fact that he shot a heck of a percentage it could have been better, but I don't think he still could have gotten to 100. It would almost have to be perfect and the game would have to go to overtime. I think a lot of things would have to come into play for him to get that.

With that said, I am sure Phil doesn't want to coach that type of game. It's not his style. I don't expect it to happen again. Phil will probably do everything in his power to make sure it doesn't. I don't think Phil is going to try to promote what Kobe has done more than anything because he has damaged his whole team. You just scored 81 points. Do you need your teammates? Are they going to step up when you need them or are you going to continue to pound them like you've been doing and be selfish just to get some individual accolades?

From a leadership perspective I think Kobe has taken a step back. Look at what he has to live up to now. You just scored 81 points. If you scored 81 points, your team should pretty much go out and win at least 75 percent of their games the rest of the year. Is that fair to say? You just compared yourself to Wilt. Can you go out with your team and do that or are you just going to go out and score tons of points every night? Are you going to get back to the point where you are shooting a lot of shots and you're teammates are not shooting and you're losing?

Right now, Kobe has willed the Lakers to a 22-19 record. It will be interesting to see what happens the rest of the way.

http://www.nba.com/blog/blog30.html

[bigboydan]

anyone buy one of those shirts yet ?

They can try and compare Jordan to Kobe all day long. I still say Jordan is better than Kobe no matter what era Jordan played in.