Kobe's numerous critics bring plenty of ammunition to the table and are ready to fire away with a never-ending list of statistics and comparisons designed to shoot holes in the theory of Bryant as an all-time great player.
The use of obscure metrics is one way to define greatness, but what about seeing something done live that you've never seen before?
Kobe's 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors is not a record, as many people like to point out, but it may as well be since few people reading this article were alive to see Wilt Chamberlain set the record, and even if you were alive at the time you had to be there since the game wasn't televised.
However, I was able to catch Kobe's 55-point second half live on January 23, 2006, and it can be revisited anytime on YouTube.
That game was preceded by a 62-point explosion from Bryant against the Dallas Mavericks on December 20, 2005, and it was memorable because it took place over the course of three quarters.
Bryant does share one NBA record with Donyell Marshall for most three-pointers made in a game with 12, but did you know that in that game with Seattle on Januaruy 7, 2003 Bryant also hit his first nine treys before missing one?
Each one of those performances illustrate why Bryant is one of the greatest scorers in the history of the NBA, and they are singular events that in some instances will not be repeated.
Bryant's record for three-pointers will fall, but it's doubtful 80 points will be approached anytime soon, considering it's a rarity now that players score even 50.
At some point during the 2013-14 NBA season Bryant will surpass Michael Jord...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
