A game like last night’s makes me wish that Jim Murray, legendary Times columnists, was still alive to immortalize it with his brilliant ability to capture a moment.
The above title is how Jim described Elgin Baylor in his playing days and seems more than apropos for last night’s stupefying performance.
Runners, floaters, threes, fade-aways, dunks, free throws… Was it the Raptor defense? It was if you’re talking about guys named Odom, Parker, George, and Vujacic.
Zone defense:
As in, “Kobe’s in a zone, where’s the defense?”
Use the Force: I’ve pondered keeping track of how may times Kobe “forced” shots in a game. I’ve always thought it’s not how much he shoots, it’s how he shoots, i.e. within the offense. That all quickly flew out the window. What exactly is a forced shot on a night like last night?
A little insight: On Wilt’s big night, it is rumored that the promoter for the game in Hershey wanted Wilt, with the collusion/cooperation of his teammates, to try to get as many points as possible.
His 78 point game was a triple overtime affair.
David Thompson’s 73 came as he was locked in a last night of the season scoring battle with George Gervin.
David Robinson had 9 guys (your Los Angeles Clippers) helping him eclipse 70, so he could overtake a young Shaquille O’Neal on the final night of the season for the scoring crown.
None of these things can be said about Kobe’s Herculian feat. No premeditation. No help from the other team. No scoring title on the line. No sideshow atmosphere of a game played in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Just willing his listless team to a W.
I’m sure Murray and Chick were sitting in the Big Forum Club in the Sky, sharing a smile and a chuckle, spouting desriptions and insights we all wish we were still privy to.
It will resonate in your head for a long time to come. 81 points.
Van says
Several things.
1) Anyone who can “translate” a 100 point game from yesteryear to 69 points today is smoking some great weed. Especially from someone that never played at that level. One thing these “pundits” always forget. If Wilt were around today, he would have access to todays training methods, ergo he would be that more imposing. Many people do not know what an all-around athlete he was. He beat Jim Brown in 100 yd dash. He was incredible.
2) Kobe is not interested in winning, he is interested in scoring. If he was interested in winning he would not try and setup games where he can come back big in the 4th. Kobe is intersted in great moments, not the win/loss record. Kobe is interested in Kobe. As a long time laker fan, I acknowledge his skills and lament his presence. I can hardly wait till he is gone. Shaq was lazy, Kobe is (indeed) Wilks reborn and should be traded to Atlanta so he could continue the legacy.
3) One can not truly judge the players around kobe as they are playing “submerssed”, at the will of kobe’s desires. How motivated would you be when you know the goal is not team ball or to win, but to make kobe look good. These guys are (or at least should be) studs, they don’t like holding anyones jock strap.
4) Please trade kobe, for anyone, heck, cut him! Lets build a team. Not a one man highlight real. I can get that on ESPN. I don’t need it at my home court.
.. and last, nice to see the positive comments from some of the long time fans. Much more refreshing than this old geezers take.