There are impressive scoring nights, there are mind-blowing performances, and then there was January 22, 2006, when Kobe Bryant went ballistic and dropped 81 points on the Toronto Raptors, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 122-104 victory, which is still the second-highest scoring performance in NBA history, only behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game back in 1962.
At that point in his career, Bryant hadn’t yet won an MVP or Finals MVP despite helping lead the Purple and Gold to a three-peat from 2000-2002. But nights like this showed that he was a different breed.
A special kind of superstar
How do you even talk to a guy who puts up 81 points in a game? Despite the aura of invincibility, the “Black Mamba” was always ready to lead and be a role model to the younger generation. He wasn’t just a scorer; he was a mentor, always willing to help others learn the game.
He was wired differently, and if there’s one thing everyone can agree on, it’s that nobody had an impact on the game quite like Kobe, thanks to his sheer confidence. Former NBA star Jim Jackson once hinted that being around the iconic guard was something he’d always hold onto.
“It was something different about Kobe, man,” Jackson said of Bryant. “I had the pleasure to meet Kobe when he came in. 18 years old when he was fresh before he even played a game. … There’s a lot of outstanding and great players, but it’s certain players that have something aura about them, some mystique about them that’s just different, and that was Kobe.”
Mamba personality
Bryant was described by many as a complicated figure. On the court, there was the issue of ego and hierarchy with teammates like Shaquille O’Neal . Off the court, there was the issue of some scandals, once at the peak of his fame in 2003, when No. 8 was accused of rape.
It all shows that he was human, not flawless. But when it came to basketball, Kob’ was on another level. Due to some of those controversies, the five-time NBA champion wasn’t the most open book in terms of being social like most superstars. He did keep a professional relationship with many and a very small close friend circle.
“I got a chance to not only play with him but spend some intimate moments and time with him off the court,” Jackson added.
The Lakers legend may no longer be with us, but he is going to be talked about for generations. He secured five NBA championships, two Finals MVPs, and a regular-season MVP, all while rocking the iconic purple and gold of the Lakers.
When it comes to the “who’s the closest to MJ” debate, Kobe’s name is always right there. The Lakers legend had that killer instinct, that laser-focused mentality that reminded everyone of Michael Jordan , but there was more to him. His life off the court was another chapter, and while people often focus on his intensity in games, there’s also the side of the Mamba that was about growth, learning, and giving back to others around him.
Related: Byron Scott recalls when Kobe Bryant separated his shoulder and insisted on playing: "No, I'm good, I got another one"
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