Think about this... he took 46 shots, plus shot 20 free throws. So let's say that he really took 56 shots and scored 81 points. That is 1.45 points per shot, or an eFG% of 72.32%. Not too shabby.

Even so, who would want to be on the same team as this guy?

Is it crazy? I've seen lots of games where guys shoot over 60%. They choose not to take 46 shots, regardless...so I can't answer your (rhetorical?) question.

The best ever, eh? Scores 81 points against the Toronto Raptors and that makes him the best ever? Yeah, they have one helluva defense, alright.

Yeah...I remember him lighting it up against the Pistons like that when he and his team ...(he does have one, you know) were crushed by a bunch of players who most people said were "crazy" for believing they had a chance to beat the L.A. Koby's in 2004. Oh yeah, and he had Shaq on that team too. The "greatest ever" really should have learned the art of passing the ball.

But it's the MVP that counts, right? I think Koby needs to take 60 shots next game and score 90 points to convince crazy doubters like myself that he is indeed the best.

He's a great shooter, no doubt. It was an awesome performance. However, I still contend that others could do it. I believe it only takes one of the better shooters in the league, a me-first attitude, and a team that will put up with it.

I still think his best performance ever was in the court room.

__________________
"Quite simply captain, I examined the problem from all angles, and it was plainly hopeless. Logic informed me that under the circumstances, the only logical action would have to be one of desperation. Logical decision, logically arrived at." -- Spock

As "stats" I would point out that from '86 to '88, MJ had little help, had the green light to shoot, and attacked constantly. He was averaging well over 35 ppg in that span, and he never managed 70, let alone 80. (This was also in an era that was rather more high-scoring than today.) His best was 69 -- which was in '89? I forget... -- and he needed overtime to do it.

Back in 1978 the defensively challenged Pistons allowed David Thompson to score 73 points on 28-38 shooting 73.7% and 17-20 from the field. But since the three point shot was not official then, he only got 2 points for each of those shots. None of us can say at this point if any were outside the current three point line so for matching purposes he would have been one point short of Kobe's 81 with 80 points since Kobe hit 18-20 FT's.

He still fell short of winning the league scoring championship as the ICEMAN was able to score 63 that same night only needing 58 to win scoring title. In both games the players fed DT and the iceman the ball from jump street.

When I watched last night game, they didn't appear to start feeding Kobe until they fell 18 points down at the beginning of the third qtr. In fact no one really fed him as in some instances he took the ball out of bounds and raced down the court and everybody in the arena, including the security folks who sit behind the bench and face the crowd knew he was going to shoot it. At one time he hit 4 straight 3 pointers. That cannot happen at the palace next Sunday.

The difference between the raptors and the Pistons is...??

About five superstars and a bench...
and a coach...
and a mascot...
and...well...everything?

Some of the comments in the aftermath of Kobe's big game suggest that a more physical approach might be in order..


"Utah coach Jerry Sloan, a premier defender during his playing career, was surprised the Raptors didn't play Bryant more physically.
You've got to get close enough to him to foul him," Sloan said. I wouldn't feel very good about myself if a guy scored a lot of points and I didn't use my fouls to try to stop him."


"Miami's Antoine Walker put it more bluntly.
The defense has to do something, Walker said. Somebody gets 81 on me, I'm going to clothesline him."(indystar.com)

Should the Pistons get physical if they have to???

No, the Pistons should get physical even if they don't have to. To send a message. "Nope, not against us you won't".

Did I mention how much I hate Kobe?

We don't have to put Kobe's head on a stick. Just play Piston D.

I am NOT a Kobe fan by any stretch. He's great...and Phil's lettin him do his thing. If you can conceive Kobe's recent numbers going up against the Stones...??? And even if he gets 40 against us, will it matter given the team complexion of the Lakers?

Kobe & crew are the least of our worries.

That's actually what I meant.

I'm not talking about taking a run at him or anything. Just playing hard, tough, in his face, LEGAL D on him. Nothing dirty or cheap, but nothing easy either. Make him earn every last shot attempt or actually try PASSING the ball once in awhile.