Kobe Bryant 62 Points in 3 Quarters vs Mavericks (Outscores Mavs) - 2005.12.20

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Mavericks @ Lakers, December 20, 2005 | Just one of many awe-inspiring spectacles of Kobe's career. Personally, I think this performance is just as good, if not BETTER than what he would showcase about a month later against the Toronto Raptors. At the peak of his scoring powers and following a tough loss to the Rockets where the Lakers put just 74 points on the board, the stage was set for KB to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime performance. The visitors were the #1 seed Dallas Mavericks who entered the game with an 18-6 record. These Mavs would go on to sustain the best record in the league that year while advancing all the way to the Finals, so this didn't take place against just any team. After a 32 point first half by Kobe, one would think he could top 60 by the end of the game, but even that may have seemed like a stretch. What happened in the third quarter was far beyond what anyone could have expected. It turned out that Kobe hitting 60 was not only far from a stretch, but he wouldn't even need four quarters to accomplish it. The team that toted the league's best record and 11th best defense looked on helplessly as the locomotive going full speed at their neck erupted for 30 points in the 3rd quarter alone. As if scoring 62 points through three quarters wasn't mind-boggling enough, add to the fact that one player outscored an ENTIRE TEAM by himself through 3/4 of the game and you have a scenario that would have been ludicrous to even suggest beforehand. At the pace Kobe was scoring, he could have topped 82 points at the end of regulation....
BOX SCORE -
www.basketball-reference.com/b...

[@Riles3152]

Prime Kobe was arguably the greatest offensive player that ever lived.

[@malleratty]

fact

[@yahuwdah9916]

Agreed and what you said 🤣😂

[@trentyates418]

Prime Kobe was dangerous!

[@LoomGaming]

@@trentyates418 lol you on crack?

[@trentyates418]

@@LoomGaming no. But it's obvious that nobody was on kobes level at the time.

[@codywilliams2368]

many people disagree but kobe in his prime was most amazing player I've ever seen on the court !

[@codywilliams2368]

Cody Williams Even better then Jordan! And Lebron and anyone else is nowhere near him talent wise in his prime

[@renahumphres3281]

+Micah Sharon There is more talent in the NBA, versus with Jordan. There's Durant, Curry, Harden, LeBron, and so many more. You have to be better to be the best, in comparison to when Jordan played.

[@kareemcodling2136]

Micah Sharon agreed not better than Jordan, copy his footwork! But Kobe was hell up there if it was 1on1 not sure WHO will win. Nether does MJ. Both have the top 5 IQ

[@codywilliams2368]

Not in my opinion, the speed of the game has grown a ton. Back in Jordan's era it was a bunch of old white guys in daisy dukes who were slow and could barely dribble the ball in between there legs. Nowadays everyones fast and can play well, and I lived in LA so I watched every lakers game and Kobe was almost amazing every single game

[@renahumphres3281]

Cody Williams Agreed. It's like during Oscar Robertson's era.

[@Anthony-pw8hj]

I'm not old enough to have witnessed Jordan live. Kobe Bryant is the best basketball player I've ever seen and it's not even close

[@PresidentGuevara]

That 05-07 Kobe was Godlike... Man that man was outstanding.

[@jamalabdelbaset6469]

Yeah, I mean he had the 52 in 3 quarters against Utah, then went on that 4 game stretch of 65, 50, 60, 50 vs The Blazers, Timberwolves, Grizzlies, and Hornets.

[@subairali8075]

03-07

[@king-ghost1027]

01-09

[@lemongrab7635]

01-13

[@cskaismful]

If he had a decent team from 2005-2008 he would be a 10 time champ. Kobe was unstoppable in that period.

[@monkeyace6784]

cskaismful great maths

[@monkeyace6784]

cskaismful Atleast I know that you can't win 10 championships in the span of 3 years.

[@monkeyace6784]

8 and 10 are different numbers

[@benmasterz2348]

cskaismful Elpresador Boooiist YOBO gunga

[@cskaismful]

BenMasterz23 GUNGA GUGIGUNGAA BOOOOOIST

[@brocky]

I can't believe Kobe played with Brian Cook, Smush Parker, Chris Mihm, Kwame Brown and was expected to have success like Jordan. Kobe carried these teams.

[@cjvangin]

if you took the best player off every team this lakers team was the worst in the nba. yet they almost beat the best suns team ever

[@esotericguru7111]

@@cjvangin wasn't the best Suns team ever. They played 0 defense.

[@cjvangin]

@@esotericguru7111 it was the best nash lead su s

[@paysonfox88]

@@cjvangin The Best Suns team was 1992-1994 With Kenny Anderson and Charles Barkley playing at MVP levels. Charles was a beast on that finals team that took the bulls to 6 games.

[@maxcohan7225]

@@paysonfox88 best suns team is the team this year

[@chikeokjr24]

When the youngins try to tell me no one catches fire like Klay Thompson in league history, I cross my legs, pour a glass of whiskey, tell em to have seat and listen tf up! Ain't nobody like Bean period.

[@swagondisdick]

Exactly. Klay catches fire better than any active player though

[@terrellewilliams2188]

You not speaking opinions but you sure are speaking FACTS!!!

[@shanedrayton7662]

Damn right

[@sumthing8140]

chikeokjr24 Fax

[@jerodtabb8092]

Flatt.. Nobody !!!

[@stefan18375]

Kobe's elite prime is like no other, he was unstoppable.

[@regalflores7626]

i love kobe but he was a major ball hog in his prime

[@Persian-Gulf.]

+Regal Flores major ball hog?

[@regalflores7626]

+Mehran M well for a lil while he was LA's only superstar

[@Persian-Gulf.]

and what did he had to do? pass the ball to cook, mhim, parker? kobe had to green light to shoot.

[@THExJMC]

May have hogged the ball, but he proved that when he got it, there was a better chance of scoring than anyone else.

[@lilmoe102]

Man that is scary good. Like honestly. Its like a pro going up against high schoolers. Even crazier is that mavs team made the finals that year.

[@juanwashington2456]

Had #1 defense!

[@fearless5116]

Crazy lol, mavs have great defense and make a final that year, and kobe man, this is God level of basketball, u can say Jordan is goat, but Kobe man, i lost my word about this, Kobe is art of basketball

[@davidhilliard1838]

And the shots he was making the degree of difficulty OMG!

[@illmatic826]

Dallas overachieved that season because they got beat by the 8th seeded Warriors the following year lol

[@illmatic826]

@@fearless5116 Jordan made basketball look like art.

[@vinm.2987]

Kobe was asked if he wanted to return in the 4th to reach 70. He said "Nah, I'll do it when we really need it". Couple of weeks after he scored 81. Lol

[@turtleislandlac1490]

Why didn't Kobe do this in the playoffs? Because defenses were tougher. You'd be surprised to know Kobe only has ONE 50 point game in the playoffs for his whole career when he scored exactly 50 in OT vs. Phoenix. Jordan in the playoffs had EIGHT 50 point games.

[@Miken25]

Turtle Island LAC because they had Shaq. MJ needed to score just like Lebron because Pippen wouldn’t be able to carry a team on his own.

[@andylee6147]

@@Miken25 lol lebron didn't have to do it all the time he had dwade and kyrie dont act like he had no help, kobe still went back to back with 1 all star no teammates that were all-NBA went through prime younger spurs suns and celtics that lebron can't beat. Period.

[@heavyhitter5538]

@@Miken25 lebron had his sorry ass always crying for help which was funny thing thou coz he was in the weak east lol

[@gspskeezy93]

Turtle Island LAC duhhh dumb ass me had twice as muxh take every shot from his squad as muxh as Kobe besides Jordan bull squad was like Ai on 76ers

[@GuitarGuitarGuitar7]

the best player of this century

[@__connoisseur235_4]

Century? I don't think century but the years 2000-2010

[@Wabbajaxe]

+Geoz I think he might be referring to the 21st century

[@eskimo289]

+SadisticSarcasm Correct. from 2000 to today, Which is true.

[@kohsmoger1567]

+eskimo289 argument can be made for duncan though.

[@kohsmoger1567]

+eskimo289 Or lebron or shaq

[@kinglos7840]

Prime Kobe > any other player to play the game

[@_cabin]

Kobe is 🐐

[@GoatReactz]

Factz

[@royalmcmorris1211]

Big facts janet jackson it doesn't matter

[@dlcfilms2022]

I would have to agree. the more highlights I see of Kobe I realize damn this dude was the best player possibly

[@jaobille79]

Give me Prime Jordan

[@morrismedia7181]

He outscored an entire NBA team for three quarters. A team with Dirk Nowitski on i!. What reason would anyone have to hate on that? Ridiculous.

[@Chenrandyliu]

+Morris Media and that Mavs team went to the finals that year lol

[@FromUpNorth9345]

Chen Liu Lakers would of knocked out that Mavericks team in the conference finals that year if Kwame Brown could close on a fucking three pointer during the Suns Lakers series.

[@dhinton1]

The Mavs hacked him the whole game ..... he got 22 FT's in this 62-point performance. lol

[@Skibone21]

@@FromUpNorth9345 Actually if I remember correctly if you watch the video Lamar didn't box out on the rebound. That was the fatal error. He boxes out they win.

[@mauricedavis1740]

Dirk said Kobe was the best player he ever played against and he referenced this game..

[@LetsGetItKhan]

Kobe outscored the team that made it to the finals that year lmao YALL hatin on greatness

[@JeffreyMontenegro]

LetsGoKhani forgot they made it to the finals lmaoo

[@LetsGetItKhan]

+LetsGoKhan Man i came back 11 months later just to rewatch this video bitches

[@LetsGetItKhan]

+LetsGoKhan Lmao the 3rd quarter ended the score was 61-95 and it ended 112-90 Lakers gave up a third of their lead without Kobe playing

[@jamalabdelbaset6635]

LetsGoKhan And people gripe about him shooting too much that year. He HAD to!

[@SpicyElaichi]

This me on my other account 3 gahdamn years later just rewatching this beautiful offensive flourish, this man crushed his career high of 56 in this game in only 3 quarters and less than a month after this game he dropped 81 points on 'ol Jalen Rose forehead in January 2006

[@longjohnsilverthorne7766]

Listen to the starting line-up that made the playoffs in 2006, in Kobe's prime: 1. Smush Parker 2. Kobe Bryant 3. Luke Walton 4. Lamar Odom 5. Kwame Brown 3 of those 5 are some of the worst players in NBA history, and THEY STARTED. Might I add that the Lakers forced the Suns to a game 7 with this line-up.

[@nafrasheed5110]

Its sad that they could not advance, i really thought if they kept the momentum up they would have made it to the 3rd round and lose to the spurs.

[@nafrasheed5110]

Roronoa D. Zoro I mean mavs.

[@docpj72]

LongJohn Silverthorne Agree-what Kobe did in that 05/06 Season was amazing considering the lack of supporting cast on the Lakers-nobody did more with less!

[@bballer191]

LongJohn Silverthorne Kobe's fault. He ran Shaq out of town because he wanted the team to be "his" and prove that he didn't need him. It became abundantly clear that he did. Nobody can do it alone, not even MJ.

[@BoSsCWOM]

***** kobe just needed somebody good. he was trying to prove he could be the primary option on a championship team and that he didnt need shaq specifically

[@Subash0069]

He is so aesthetically pleasing. He moves like a dancer, so smooth on the floor. Every steps seems so elegant and every move seems so perfectly choreographed.

[@illmatic826]

He used Jordan’s moves lol

[@kobeandgary]

@@illmatic826 Kobe used a lot of moves Jordan didn't use. Just like Jordan used some of Baylor's moves, and Ervings moves etc...

[@illmatic826]

@@kobeandgary Stop it, we all know who Kobe emulated, it’s no secret.

[@kobeandgary]

@@illmatic826 what a stupid reply 😂😂

[@11kful]

He learned that from Michael Jackson, yeah along with the basketball greats that had great fundamentals.

[@armanboghossian3321]

Bruh, on the flagrant, most people in Kobe's position would have fell to the floor. The fact he doesn't even fall and goes straight to him. Straight Thug Life

[@Persian-Gulf.]

+DoctorO rangewood Kobe grew on old school 80-90s basketball of Rodman, Mchale, Payton, Miller, Jordan and few others of trash talking, standing up, getting ppl face. last breed

[@ChrisZukowski88]

Lebron would've been taken off in a stretcher after a dramatic flop and suing the mavs for rape.

[@dhinton1]

all that flagrant did was piss him off .......

[@antpain1156]

@@dhinton1 facts..no flagrant no 62

[@mackymorales757]

lebron might overflop

[@BerserkerGuts_]

Kobe didn’t have the same luxury as Lebron and MJ having a great team in their absolute prime years. 05-07 were his best years as an individual. If he would’ve had a prime D Wade or Kyrie guarantee he’d have 7-8 rings. No one will ever come close to Kobes level during these years. His peak was better than any player in the history of the game hands down. If you didn’t witness it you would understand.

[@bobanderson9715]

Jordan enough said.

[@roquepascuals5943]

He had Great teammates he just didn’t know how to utilize like Jordan did . Enough said

[@BerserkerGuts_]

@@roquepascuals5943 in 05-07? Dumbass read the comment before you speak. When has Jordan won without pippen? never

[@darrellvital2023]

@@roquepascuals5943 name it the great teammates during 2005 season to 2007

[@roquepascuals5943]

@@darrellvital2023 Jim Jackson Arron McKie Lamar Odom Come on bro back than those were elite players devan George

[@craigwheeler4760]

Does Anyone else notice that Dallas was scoring 20 points per quarter while kobe was in the game , but scored 30 points in the quarter he was out? Kobe was an awesome defender.

[@Brandon-vy6uw]

This guy would have so many fucking rings if he had a consistent team like jordan had every year.

[@alvinstjohn8363]

dude, his fingers would be like Bill Russell's fingers

[@gc3k]

+Įncognîto S 2005-2007 was an unbelievable waste of talent. Would have been even worse if the Gasol superstar trade didn't go through

[@lutherblissett7873]

+David Curry Same with TMac in Orlando

[@DamnSpawN]

+Įncognîto S jordan lost pippen couldnt make it past first round

[@aboutmillions]

+Įncognîto S it was his fault he didnt have a consistent team lol

[@carbon89]

Kobe was on a mission in that 3rd quarter after the flagrant foul by Howard. You don't piss mamba off. Had he played in 4th, he could have easily had 90. Mavs were already frustated that Kobe could easily penetrate their defense and were only able to stop him by fouling him. There will never be a performance like this where a player outscores the opposing team thu 3 quarters. NEVER. And that Mavs team won 60 games that season and made it to finals. Truly stuff of legends.

[@juanwashington2456]

carbon I read he also went off bc Del Harris wouldn’t let play that much early years

[@warsameegal2954]

10:17 Kobe going 1v5, meanwhile Klay playing catch and shoot like its open gym practice with 0 defense

[@kray97]

62 in three quarters when the Mavs scored 61. That is one of the most amazing stats of his career. Keep in mind this Mavs team went to the Finals that season. If it was a closer game and Phil hadn't sat Kobe, I think Kobe probably would have cracked 90.

[@big_me8000]

coach asked him if he wanted to play 4th quarter and score at least 80 he said "no I'll get it another time".

[@eliasm5661]

kray97 the assistant coach was trying to force him to play and angry with him but like the other guy said he said he'll get it another night then he proceeded to score 81 points a few weeks later

[@macxavier168]

Kid could've had another eighty-point game under his belt if he'd played the fourth quarter. Absolutely unbelievable.

[@runelord37]

+Malcolm Richardson This could have been a ninety point game if he chose.

[@macxavier168]

+runelord37 agreed

[@eskimo289]

+runelord37 My guess is 88 points. 26 point fourth. But man... the press would have torn Phil Jackson apart for embarrassing the Mavs that bad. He basically had to pull him.

[@runelord37]

90. You don't dangle a large whole number in front of a top 3 scorer of all time ;) I wish he would have let him. Its not like the Mavs were playing undermanned.

[@wuhanclan]

+eskimo289 Phil was still apprehensive then about giving Kobe the full greenlight to shoot but in later seasons when the Lakers were even worse, Phil finally told Kobe to really go for it. Hence the 4 straight 50 pt games and 9 straight 40 pt games.

[@sk8terdudexc]

came here bc klay scored 60 in 3 quarters to remind myself why kobe is still better

[@emjay1249]

sk8terdudexc uhh unnecessary

[@LL-gs1nm]

Kobe is better, but I would say Klays 60 in 3 quarters was more impressive. looking at these clips, Klay was guarded better and took way less free throws.

[@russell9411]

Nathan To it was better? how is gettin easy lay ups and on way better team better then kob 60 facing double teams wit scrubbs? llz

[@waisoserious3017]

mavs went to the finals that year and dirk was 2nd in mvp voting. just sayin

[@Djone300]

Yea, not only did kobe score over 60 but he scored more than the whole mavs team. Lebron only wish he could do that.

[@itssandrew]

imagine witnessing this today. people would be all over kobe

[@ceramikxxx5882]

Especially with social media

[@tjoglesby6014]

Harden doing it and receiving the most hate in the league so idk

[@itssandrew]

@@tjoglesby6014 idk, i feel like kobe's way more exciting than harden

[@lemongrab7635]

​@@tjoglesby6014harden don't play defense and there defense is softer by a mile

[@lemongrab7635]

​@@tjoglesby6014not only that they triple team Kobe

[@projectunity5795]

This right here perfectly embodies this era for the Lakers. Kobe Bryant getting double teamed and still taking it to the rim with contact and still making it. Just destroying the entire lineup seemed like it was 1 on 5 at times.

[@ctmusik5418]

People who actually watched Kobe know what’s good! The best offensive player of all time

[@christhomas5316]

This man(Kobe Bryant) just outscore the Western conference finals champions by his self after three quarters and he sat out the 4th ‼️ 💯💯👍🏾👍🏾

[@McStrokeAvision]

Phil robbed Kobe of a lotta shit. Kobe could have scored 70+ about 4 times incredible.

[@HorseRancher92]

McStrokeAvision he was truly jaw dropping to watch him play in his prime , im glad as a kid i was able to watch him many times

[@TheLionaaa]

+McStrokeAvision Quite the opposite. Phil is old school. In reality, he shouldn't even have left Kobe play the entire third quarter in this game because the game was already over but he did it for Kobe. Just like the Raptors game where He let Kobe play even if the game was over a long time ago. He did it for Kobe. I can't think of any other games, so I don't know why you say, he could have reached 70 points 4 different times.

[@Persian-Gulf.]

+Air Magic the 81 game was a lot different than this game. lakers were down 18 by half and up by 6 entering the 4th.. Phil could of let kobe play in the 4th handful of times but the zen master knows its not worth it since bad luck can happen (injuries)

[@TheLionaaa]

Mehran M True, let's be clear about something here : Kobe saved the day for the Lakers. He took over this game and he was spectacular. But the game was over in the middle of the 4th quarter and Kobe had already scored about 60 points if I remember correctly. That means he scored about 20 points in the last 6 minutes. And you might argue that the Raptors could have miraculously come back in the game at that point (I don't think so but let's assume it) but when Kobe reached 70 with 4 minutes lefts and +15 for the Lakers, the game was over. He had a new career high and the game was over. But Phil wanted to give him a chance to go as far as he wanted because he understood Kobe. In the garbage time, the last 5 minutes, the game was basically Kobe playing 1 against 5 and the only interest of the game was to see how many points he would have scored. Everybody knew it, including Kobe. That's why some old school coaches didn't like it. Pat Riley didn't like it if you remember...

[@masonwong2418]

+Air Magic 2 more times including this game and the 81 point game... Kobe's first 50 point game was 56 in 3 quarters vs the Grizzlies and he had another game where he dropped 52 in 3 quarters versus the Jazz.

[@_cabin]

The league would be in trouble if Kobe was in his prime this era

[@holdingsand]

A new metric called DREDGE was just released that analyzed every single play in the past 20 years of the NBA (happens to coincide with Kobe's entire career). LeBron had 9 seasons finisher higher in DREDGE than Kobe's best season rofl. And what's more... Steph, Harden, CP3, Duncan, Kirelenko, Kye Lowry, Kawhi Leonard, T-Mac, D-Wade, KG, Ben Wallace, Dirk, Shaq, Brent Barry, Eddie Jones, Grant Hill, post-1997 Karl Malone, Ginobli, Dwight, post-1997 Stockton, post 1997 Scottie Pippen, post 1997 Michael Jordan, post-1997 David Robinson, Manu Ginobli, Elton Brand, Chauncy Billups, Anthony Davis, Vince Carter, and Minnesota era Kevin Love... and MOOKIE BLAYLOCK lol ALL of them had higher DREDGE ratings in at least their best seasons, and lots of them multiple seasons better than Kobe's best. Remember, they analyze every. single. play. It's not even surprising to me anymore when I hear of advanced stats hating Kobe (and Westbrook, who is ranked even lower than Kobe in his best season according to DREDGE rofl).

[@TheMonkeyButte]

So are you saying Ginobli is better than kobe????

[@chiefsolo6013]

stop it with this dumbass dredge shit, thats a horrible stat.

[@holdingsand]

+Isaiah Thomas you don't even know how it's calculated. calling it horrible is like calling science or math horrible. not that it's perfect.

[@holdingsand]

more like kobe would be in trouble if his prime fell in this era. the 3 pt shot was never his forte. nor was efficiency. so what possible logic helped you conclude that be'd be better in today's league than the mid 2000's or whenever you want to say his prime was?

[@lancertheanswer6351]

what i find amazing about this game is that he could have probably scored more than 81 if he played in the fourth quarter

[@MrExodus]

Lance Punzalan if he played the 4th he would of had a buck

[@Dom213]

He told the coaches I’ll get it when we need it. And 3 weeks later he scored 81.

[@buttface7849]

Kobe: 62 pts Dallas: 61 pts "Out score them by himself!" Forever iconic.(could have had two 80 pt games if he played shame...)

[@russell9411]

on god u can talk stats and % all u want kobe is the goat

[@johnsonvudaulski6768]

Don't put nothin on God homie. You sound dumb af cuzz. Dumbass lingo y'all L.A niggaz use. Put it on yo momz is bad enough, now you gonna put shit on God??? Fucc outta here cuzz.

[@russell9411]

Johnson vudaulski im from d.c dumb ass lol yu think only lakers fans like kobe

[@russell9411]

Johnson vudaulski kobe is the goat like i said

[@johnsonvudaulski6768]

+Ballin Too haha I agree. I just don't feel anyone should put anything on the almighty, no matter how sure you seem. that's it cuzz

[@velvetsky5117]

He averaged 45% of his shots. That's efficient for a shooting guard.

[@ArmandoKozomara]

man we'll never see another guy who can drop 60 in 3 quarters or 56 in 34 minutes like this guy!

[@tjoglesby6014]

Armando Koz James Harden did it

[@albertmorales3233]

Against what defense?

[@anthonysporty3395]

Kobe in his prime was not only the best offensive player that everlaced them up but also the best defensive guards to ever play the game . I believe hes the best tough shot maker ever

[@driveufast]

I was waking up to watch Kobe middle of the night despite having school in the morning. Only player that worth it. ( NBA Matches playing around 3.00-4.00 A.M in my country’s time zone)

[@RoseRoo]

In Memory of Kobe Bryant, 1978/8/23 ~ 2020/1/26 :'-( Anyone with me ?

[@princesschilumba3889]

Rose Roo me 💔💔

[@paoerfulone1089]

I can’t believe he’s really gone... I keep hoping that this is just a bad dream I’ll wake up from. R.I.P. Kobe, Gianna, and the other 7 passengers. Mamba Forever! 💔🙏🕊🐍

[@maxschlepzig641]

Kobe could have scored 80+ atleast 4 times, had he not had to sit out entire 4th quarters. The greatest scorer ever. don't ever mention Wilt. The guy had an advantage that Kobe never had, nor would Wilt have that advantage if he played in today's game and sure as hell wouldn't score 100. Bow to the master that is Kobe. So pitiful the end of his career and the prime of his career he was surrounded by garbage, hence him missing out on 2 MVPs.

[@maxschlepzig641]

vwnclubb I would love to see how much Kobe would have averaged in 87-88 against a league were the average defender wouldn't make a roster 2000 and on. MJ has incredible strength, huge hands and at his time, was the most gifted athletic player playing. Those had a dramatic impact on why he could avg. 37 on a team where he had no one. Go about 20 years later and put Jordan into the league with prime Kobe, he wouldn't be the most gifted athletic player on the court; he would have had plenty of guys to compete with. Kobe has none of that (which is my main point) and is playing against superior competition and still doing what he's doing in this vid. I'm not taking anything from Jordan, his career achievements are unparalleled I'm putting it into its proper context. Put today's superstars in Jordan's era, or the 70s, 60s, guys that are deemed legends now wouldn't seem so impressive.

[@maxschlepzig641]

vwnclubb Hand checking existed because the defenses were weaker. What didn't exist was zone defenses, which Kobe has had to deal with his entire career. You can pick and choose subtle differences but the facts are the the player pool was far superior than it was in Kobe's prime and is today. Doesn't imply Jordan wouldn't be who he was, but it would be completely different. But you're right, it is a matter of conjecture and there is no definitive way to prove who is the greatest scorer or player or whatever. Statements such as those, and the one I made, are obviously elaborations. But I make the statement aware that when I say Kobe is the greatest scorer, I put it into its proper context. It's value is definitely limited tho.

[@seekaywhi]

vwnclubb FG% isn't necessarily the best barometer. Kobe has taken 3 times as many 3 pointers than Jordan did. You seem to know what you're talking about, so I don't need to explain to you why that stat would bring Kobe's FG% way down. If you're into advanced stats, Kobe's TS% (True Shooting %, factors 2 point FG's, 3 point FG's and free throws) is .555 compared to Jordan's .569. Jordan still has the edge but it's not as skewed as FG%.

[@jonmoonie676]

Kobe has the record for most missed shots......

[@ieredrum]

jon moonie well...he is a SG right? And he did play in the league for 16 season correct?

[@CarterScores]

Kobe gets well over 81 if he plays the 4th quarter

[@seang4464]

The skill, the athleticism, he was the greatest I've ever seen. During this game they showed in 03 he had 42 in one half in 03 lol. He has so many ridiculous scoring games. No player could go off like him, sorry Mike.

[@MrMikelew2929]

That was the last time he played Mike.💯

[@ItsJustSco]

Kobe Bean The 🐐

[@ayatulakumini3011]

Kobe is one of a Greatest NBA player I've ever scene...Amazing!!

[@JohnCorleone23]

I will never forget Kobe's performance in this game against a great Dallas team! He probably would have gone for more than 81 in this game. He was hitting almost everything in this game. When he didn't come out at the start of the 4th quarter, I felt like I was being cheatedc out of a historical moment... but then there was the 81 point game. I think that this was probably Kobe's best performance though

[@iishyxvietxboyii1]

The man shot 25 free throws in 3 quarters. Something was wrong there lol...

[@iishyxvietxboyii1]

33 field goals on top of that...

[@gomezleonard10]

the only thing wrong is your opinion

[@cjvangin]

iishyxvietxboyii1 did you not see the tec's and hard fouls they were throwing at kobe??????/ there was nothing wrong there

[@lemongrab7635]

​@@iishyxvietxboyii1not all calls are bad calls watch the games

[@milkywayfamily7989]

Rip to the greatest of all time!!!!! Love you Kobe!! Love you Gigi !! Rest in love!

[@SuperSonicHot]

*Had they of kept Kobe in... He could've POSSIBLY gotten VERY close to 100. Around the 90 mark for sure*

[@enutpeN17]

My favorite moment is @11:30 literally 1-on-5 and still serves up the amazing finish. My favorite player of all time bar none. Miss you Black Mamba!

[@harlemsfinest05]

I was working at the staples center at the time. Everytime kobe scored the energy from the crowd was crazy. I got a write up for watching the game instead of working but, it was worth it. I could not miss it Kobe went off! #RIPKOBE #LAKERS

[@edgarbatister1001]

and espn says lebrons 61 is better than kobes 81 common not even close with this performance

[@iishyxvietxboyii1]

He had 25 free throws in 3 quarters...

[@iishyxvietxboyii1]

Lebron had 50+ with triple double.

[@Tiigerr]

Actually they didn't. They just brought up the question and said Kobe's 81 was undeniably better.

[@cjvangin]

iishyxvietxboyii1 lebron did not have a triple double he had a rebound taken away

[@gottgaame]

edgar batister i think lebron had 18 rebounds and 8 assists thats why. great performance tho

[@alexandrews6391]

my opinion best ever but ppl have different opinions. and mvp is a fluke award kobe should have like 6 mvp's..

[@TakinDubsShaq]

GTFOH.

[@Teenuh13]

+shaquill williams you gtfoh

[@SpacelyHendrix]

facts

[@mochiko7882]

Yeah mvp's aren't even best players in the league it's who does the NBA reporters and important people like the most on the top 1-2 teams.

[@jonathanwilliams0824]

He should have had 3.

[@fx_8088]

4 Years still hurts but I always spend this day watching all your highlights you never cheated the game and I thank you for that.

[@adenmartinez434]

Mannnnn you see that???? Efficiency, excellence, dominance..... you'll never ever ever ever see bronny boy do that.... EVER.

[@supersmoothsailin6178]

Most people don't even know this game existed. This is definitely a treasure moment.

[@Shakazulu0]

RIP Kobe!!! We will never forget you ❤

[@anth91386]

wow after seeing this kobe is a legend

[@sergiogarcia5593]

Kobe himself was down 44-57 against an NBA Finals team and caught up to beat them 62-61 in under 5 minutes. Kobe almost beat the Suns with Smush, Kwame, Walton, Mihm, etc. Kobe scored 81 points in a low pace era? Man, 2006 Kobe is the most skillful scorer in NBA history.

[@neenee7676]

Smacks Kobe across the face, complains about the foul. Logic.

[@avip882]

"62 FOR KOBE. 61 FOR THE MAVERICKS".......RIP LEGEND

[@mrmanager4906]

my idol in his prime is unstopable.

[@salladiallo9766]

Kobe was an artist , like Federer , zidane, Messi ....it was an honor to watch him play RIP to one of the greatest

[@choward5430]

This is no knock on LeBron or any bigger player. But you put Kobe Bryant in James' body and he would have scored 100...TWICE!

[@AuburnTigersandMinnesotaTimber]

Bruh put him in Dwight howard

[@Futballr420]

nah that's why Lebron James is my favorite player and I respect him and his game so much. As physically gifted as he is I honestly believe he maxed his physical gifts to their fullest potential on the basketball court. He plays the game like no one has ever seen before. if anyone had Lebron James physical gifts they still wouldn't play the game of basketball as well as Lebron James plays it. In other words Lebron uses his body better to play basketball better than anyone could if they had his body.

[@kelechic.jemelumba9981]

+Ab Yz Dwight is useless

[@northfield9529]

actually, he wouldn't be able to do what he does with lebron's body. his ability to hang in the air and his balance are the basis for his rhythm. and rhythm is the most important thing for a player. his body might not have the power/speed, but is perfectly made for basketball.

[@choward5430]

Yue Wu Not true.

[@whoodyGPonder-fj6hq]

From the moves to his shot selection aswell as the double teams and different defenders! GOD!!Couldn't stop Ko8e at this prime of his career!! Gr8est scorer ever No debate 💯💯💪🏿

[@ceeohqb18]

A gift for you, Del Harris.

[@johnmuuo7161]

In today's game Kobe would score 100 points" Tracy Mcgrady

[@JN-mi6nu]

People calling Kobe a ball hog forget it's a PRO sport. It's not like they're on the playground just winging it. He had the ball because he was the best scoring option. That's it that's all. When he got Shaq and Gasol he became the leader in assists. YOu think the coaching staff is just there to keep seats warm? Kobe had the ball a lot because it was the best way to win. No more no less.

[@juanwashington2456]

J N watch when he gave it up how fast they gave back 2 him!

[@alexxallert412]

Imagine if Phil Jackson ran the offense around Smush Parker and Kwame Brown and not Kobe lol

[@lemongrab7635]

People don't even realize Kobe would have way more assists if they made there easy shots

[@freakincrod]

And he did all of this with a fucked up finger on his shooting hand. Kobe was on another level

[@fhwng2212]

2019 and still witness Kobe's greatness

[@zannteo]

If Lebron, Harden, Durant or anyone in the NBA took as many contested bad shots as Kobe they wouldn't even make the top 10 scorers list.

[@matthewgonzalez9614]

Keep hating on Kobe dude it won't make you any better

[@zannteo]

Matthew Gonzalez I think you don't get it

[@sm8488]

That's what makes Kobe, Kobe. He is the only one who could take those type of shots and still be number 3 all-time in scoring. Legendary..

[@sm8488]

Matthew he isn't hating. He is praising Kobe.

[@nacspazo7894]

Kei Teo I think KD could tho

[@kinglos7840]

more impressive than Klays 60, had to create his own shots and a way harder team

[@N0TORiOUSLYiLL]

watchin this the day after kobes last game..thank god for youtube we can go back and witness the legend again :(

[@TeeGiang]

i swear when kobe went on his tear phil took him out the game. he could of gone for 80+ multiple times.

[@jaideepsingh8233]

Kobe was special This man went through so much his career And they still don’t respect him claiming he’s not top foh 5x nba champion dropped 81 points in one game those are just few of his accomplishments that are better than most people who played in the nba

[@luciferluci4570]

could watch him play basketball all day!! he is amazing!!

[@mannyestrada5219]

The real GOAT

[@TheRebuilt1]

Its amazing how much the NBA has changed and this was only 14+ years ago. That Josh Howard foul I think really sparked the mamba but Howard would be suspended if he fouled any of these pre-madonas in today's NBA. Respect

[@yubhoin]

Kobe don't run behind screens perfect footage for all you Curry Lovers. Don't even compare Curry has sharp shooting abd ball handling skills Kobe has both and total dominance and He dunks over two to three players. check footage.

[@l8k3r24]

Kobe 62 - Dallas 61 jajaja never saw MJ do that or even close to scoring 81pts. CAN YOU DIG IT!

[@ranchomexico9696]

I get chills watching the last 3

[@bktakover225]

I'm sorry, Kobe Bean is the greatest scorer of all time. Ppl say Kobe misses most of his shots but yet his career average is like 46 % Mj like 47% So considering Kobe played more years, Kobes the best scorer

[@iishyxvietxboyii1]

Jordan average 30.1 regular season. Playoffs 33.4. That's insane!

[@Vladi48mir]

Kobe is the better regular season scorer, MJ is the better playoff scorer Not to mention Kobe admitting MJ is the GOAT and he learned from MJ's game

[@TakinDubsShaq]

Percentages are wrong jordan shot 50%......

[@jkotaylor9874]

Bk Takover, You're smoking weed. MJ the better scorer.

[@drbest87]

Thank you, Kobe. How fast time goes by. Icon. Inspiration. Bigger than life. Rest in peace.

[@jakeingle3405]

Kobe was a must watch every night he played

[@eddievo2464]

Much respect...that's the good old days

[@Brian.Israel.Matt15.24]

GREATEST PERFORMER IN NBA HISTORY.

[@Izm_Skizm]

The greatest player in NBA history to get robbed consecutively of MVP awards. The pinnacle of disrespect was Nash winning it. GTFOH Stern.

[@PullThePluGz]

MVP's generally go to the players that make their teams better and have great records - the Suns were a far superior team than the Lakers, with Nash leading the way. Kobe didn't get robbed, that's just how the MVP's work.

[@barnabyhitzig486]

I love Stus laugh every time Kob took it to them. Almost like he’s just a fan this night - sheer joy to watch.

[@TatayNiElias]

He is so FINESSE. He's not just shooting the ball. He's doing it so very smoothly!

[@shomoy7396]

Legends never die

[@royalmcmorris1211]

Facts

[@batchloriv]

Reasons why Kobe is the GOAT. (READ IT ALL BEFORE YOU EVALUATE) After Shaq, Kobe Bean Bryant CARRIED his team. Jordan NEVER had to worry about guarding the best player on the court. Phil Jackson even said Pippen was a greater defender and had to make switches for Michael in the Finals. Jordan/Pippen won 6 .. without each other 0. Jordan retired for baseball and when he came back he retired 3 years later at the same time "coincidentally" Pippen stated he intended to leave the Bulls that year. Kobe in his BEST PRIME had Smush, Odom, Walton, KWAME and Young Bynum.. cmon now. This team minus Kobe was 590394x Worse than this years Lakers. - Kobe should've won MVP of the league in those couple years (including at least one finals MVP with Shaq) but unfortunately Kobe made a mistake and caught himself a case and the NBA can't endorse their "Face of the League" as someone with a recent court case. Fast forward and now he CARRIED us to 3 straight championship appearances. Yes we had Gasol, Bynum, and Ariza/Artest HOWEVER Ariza was not '14 Rockets Ariza, Artest was not in his Prime, and Bynum and Gasol are solid players. They cannot carry their own teams like Pippen with the Blazers/Bulls or like All-Star Caliber Kyrie and Kevin Love or like D Wade and Bosh when they were alone. And Kobe didn't just carry us to some bummy championship games. We dealt with the '08 Celtics with 3 Hall of Famers in their respective Primes and would've won but Bynum and Ariza were hurt then next year the Magic (who beat the Cavs because Lebron couldn't get it done) then we faced the Celtics again and scrapped it out (note that perkins was out game 7). After that? Kobe got dealt a bad card.. We wanted to get Howard and CHRIS PAUL but the league banned that move because they knew we would run the NBA for the next 5+ years. We end up getting a banged up Nash and a hurt Howard (who might not have been hurt if he would've been allowed to come to LA a year before). Then Kobe still has to carry us and has in my opinion the greatest end to a season I have ever seen then he tears his achilles because he gives 150% every night. There is so much more to mention when it comes to Kobe.. he was never as athletically gifted as Jordan, Magic, or Lebron. But he worked for every bit of success he had. We were robbed of seeing the Peak of what should've happened but not because it isn't fair only because life happens. Kobe didn't have a Kyrie to drop 40.. or a Ray Allen off the bench.. he didn't have the ability to get a player kicked out the game after stepping over him intentionally, he didn't have a Pippen to guard someone if he couldn't do it. He made other players great not off of assists or stats. Nah The Mamba made people great because he would run you over if you didn't want it. You take the same team we have now and give it '05-'07 Kobe we see Golden State in the Western Conference Finals and he drops 40 every game. Real Fans know. Black Mamba will always be the Greatest of All-Time. Carried Smush Parker, Chris Mihm, Luke Walton, and Kwame Brown to the playoffs all on the same team. No one else but the Mamba can do that. I got 500,000 More Reasons why the Mamba is #1 (Stats deceive - learn on your own) #MAMBAOUT

[@mattbaxter5003]

Ur counting out Jordan's earlier years in the 80s before pippin and early years in his devolopment and he carried the team similarly to how Kobe did

[@russell9411]

b John 1 more thing lakers was rank 3rd in offense 05-06. which means kobe alone is a offense 😂😂😂

[@russell9411]

b John lls factssssss i be in the barbershop sayin all this shit

[@jonathanwilliams0824]

Well said my guy!! Well said!!!!

[@SwaggerLikeUz]

Batchlor Johnson IV Jordan never had a dominate center ever in His career and still won 6 Rings, that's insane! Jordan didn't have the luxury of multiple all stars during His career like Lebron, or Kobe. For instance Horace Grant only was an all star once, and the list goes on. In fact Kobe really has 4 rings, cause Refs/NBA threw the crucial playoff game vs the Sacramento Kings. I watched that game live. Kobe not once during His prime scored 3000 points in a season, but Jordan did that twice. Jordan has 6 Finals Mvps when Kobe played 2nd fiddle to Shaq 3 times during the finals. Jordan has 6 finals Mvps, so no player can ever say they were better than Jordan in the finals. Your saying Kobe is the GOAT? When He lost multiple times during the finals, wasn't even the most valuable player on His team during the finals multiple times, only has 3 regular season Mvps, and never won defensive player of the year. Jordan's the only player to average 40 points in the finals. If Kobe's the greatest scorer then why does Jordan hold this title?

[@davida.6942]

Amazing player, greatness personified. Such a sad ending to his life and the 8 others on that chopper.

[@kwall55]

To me, this game shows how much of a monster prime Kobe was. Even more than his 81 game...

[@raywillaimjhonson]

He should have had more than one MVP. At least 4.

[@MrExodus]

They didn't want Kobe to have the points record....he was going for 100 if he played the 4th

[@freshc9240]

thats not true at all.... kobe was asked by phil if he wanted to play the 4th, and he said he'll "get it another time". Dont make baseless claims please.

[@logistaur]

Anyone here watchin after Kobe's passing? What a legend

[@wxixl]

No flopping while getting actually beat up. Kobe was something else.

[@tameromari2102]

Although my team has been and always will be The Celtics but I gotta admit Kobe is the best player there ever was. period.

[@alessandrostella9982]

Dwyane Wade watched this before GAME3 of that year finals. Thank you Kobe, love you, RIP

[@marilynblaine6602]

Still watching 2019...soon after this game he went on to score 81 against the Raptors. If he'd only play the 4th quarter maybe 80 or more points. We'll never know. Kobe, my favorite Laker and the whole NBA league.

[@ronaldarlidacut2095]

I was really shocked why he was not the MVP on this season.

[@Trancymind]

They robbed him of the MVP for sure. He avg 35+ ppg that season on a very tough western conference that made the playoffs with a winning record.

[@jermaineonealnumber7]

Thx for including the FTs, I love the sound of the swish. Shooting is an art and Kobe shoots his FTs (very similar of MJ's shootingmotion) so fluently when in rhythm.