Performance among the most legendary in NBA history, the 81 points scored in a game by Kobe Bryant still seem inaccessible to some observers. However, according to Damian Lillard, 5 players present in the league are capable of reaching this mark.
Before abandoning the NBA courts in 2016, Kobe Bryant has left league fans with many lasting memories through unreal performances. Two of them were signed in the space of a few weeks, during the 2005-06 season. After outscoring the Mavericks in 3 quarters with 62 points, the Mamba has indeed written history by planting 81 pawns on the head of the Raptors.
The feat obviously remains mythical, since it constitutes the second highest total of points in a match behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 units. Will anyone manage to relegate her to 3rd position in the near future? For Damian Lillard, guest of the Dan Patrick Show a few months ago, five current players are able to achieve this.
Damian Lillard : If anyone were to come close to Kobe’s 81 points, I think it would be between me, Steph (Curry) and Devin Booker, who can really get hot. I would also say one of the stars of Brooklyn, but knowing that they are three there, it will be difficult. So I would say me, Steph, Devin Booker…Klay (Thompson) can do it, and I think Bradley Beal can too.
The list drawn up by the Portland leader is based on solid arguments. It thus contains the two best scorers in the league this season, namely Steph Curry and Bradley Beal. Also appears Devin Booker, author of 70 points in a meeting against the Celtics during his sophomore season. Klay Thompson, and his 60 points in 3 quarters against Indiana, also has his place there.
Lillard has “only” a career-high of 61 points, but has enough self-confidence to slip into this cast. To justify his presence, he even puts forward the match conditions which could make it possible to achieve such offensive carnage.
Damian Lillard : It’s going to have to be a wild night, but it can happen. It would have to be against a team with a big man who isn’t very mobile, so they couldn’t defend us high on pick-and-rolls and things like that.
All that remains is to apply this recipe, whether it’s him or one of his other candidates, to get this iconic brand.
Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and therefore Damian Lillard: so many players capable of surpassing Kobe Bryant’s 81 points for the Blazers star. The foundations are laid: it’s up to them to treat us.
