Eighty-One
Wow! Unbelievable! I’m not an avid fan of Kobe Bryant; in fact I personally find his scoring feats a bit too chauvunistic, but his performance against the Raptors definitely deserves some kudos. Imagine scoring 81 of your team’s 122 points? Even MJ during his glory days couldn’t pour in such a barrage. I guess this Kobe guy really has it goin’ this season. He’s scored 40 or more points in 5 straight games this season. He’s also scored 62 against Dallas. And now 81! But all this Kobe-mania is not doing the Lakers any good at all come playoff time. Ask any basketball analyst, and he will tell you that no one-man team has ever made it through to the finals. Come playoff time, Kobe’s teammates will be like lame ducks if Kobe sticks to his ball-hugging habits. Though the Lakers are doing quite well in the past few weeks, they’re still only 7th place in the Western Conference. I know for one that Mr. Phil Jackson is not smiling whenever Kobe scores in such audacity. His much-praised triangle offense will cease to be a factor if Kobe gets to shoot 80% of the time. Sun-Star sports columnist Homer Sayson, who had the privilege to watch the Pacquiao vs Morales rematch at ringside, also got credentialed for this historic game (I envy your job man, I hope someday I can do the things you’re doing now.) He commented on Kobe’s selfishness and on making the game as boring and dull as a nintendo computer game. Although many didn’t exactly like what Kobe did, as sports fans we must give him the respect he deserves. After all, scoring 81 is not child’s play. To appreciate this historic basketball game, take a look at the table below on the list of the top ten NBA scoring greats. Bryant’s 81 is only behind Chamberlain’s magnificent 100, but take note that this feat was done way back in 1962 when the game was still burgeoning.
