With 60, Kobe Again Makes History

To say Kobe Bryant has been on a tear the last three games would be an understatement. After tallying 60 points against the Memphis Grizzlies, Kobe reached a plateau that only a few players in NBA history have reached. First, he became the fourth player in NBA history to score 50 or more points in three straight games (The other three to accomplish this feat are Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor). As well, Kobe became the third player in NBA history to score 60 or more points at least 4 times in a career (Kobe and Jordan each have reached the 60 point plateau four times, while Wilt Chamberlain only managed to do it thirty two times...It's safe to say no one will ever catch Chamberlain in this category).

Ladies and gentlemen, we are seeing history unfold before our eyes. I know that we are in an age where everyone and everything in the public spotlight is overanalyzed. But for a second, forget whatever negative thought you might have planted in your head about Kobe and just enjoy him. He's achieving things that only Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan have achieved. WILT CHAMBERLAIN AND MICHAEL JORDAN!!! You know, the basketball Gods...The two guys whose records no one was ever supposed to be able to come close to matching. Yeah, those guys.

I know it's hard to remember, but the same things they used to say about Jordan pre-championships, they've been saying about Kobe the last three seasons. They say he's not good enough to win a championship by himself. They say he's not a team player. They say he's nothing more than a great scorer. But I have a feeling that the same people that are critical of him now are going to be the same ones that praise him after his career is finished.

I'm not a fortune teller. I can't tell you if Kobe will win another championship. But I do have enough knowledge of basketball history to tell you that if Kobe's career ended today, the sum of his regular season statistics and awards, his playoff achievements, and his clutch performances would place him in the conversation as one of the greatest players ever. Argue against that again all you want. But while you're doing that, Kobe will probably be breaking another record.

Post Note: Kobe Bryant would probably already have six sixty point games if he would have played the fourth quarter in two of his top scoring games. He scored 56 in three quarters against the Memphis Grizzlies in 2002 and 54 points in three quarters against Michael Jordan and the Washington Wizards in 2003.

Previously at FanHouse:

Kobe's 65

Kobe Goes Off Again, Drops 50 On Minnesota

Will Kobe Go for 50 Again?