Kobe Bryant: What Records Lie Ahead?
By Jacob Rude
3-Point Field Goals Made/Attempted
All-Time Leader – Allen 2,973 3PM/7,429 3PA
Surprisingly, while Bryant isn’t known for his three-point shooting, he’s going to end up high up on the lists simply because of his long career. While Allen holds and will hold the record, Bryant has an outside chance at sneaking into the top ten for 3-pointers made, depending on the length of his career.
As is, Bryant has 1,677 made three-pointers (13th) on 5,030 attempts (6th). The problem with him moving into the top ten is, the higher up the list you go, the bigger the jump is. While the discrepancy between 20th to 13th is 141 made threes, the different between 13th and 5th is 292 makes.
Still, Bryant averages right at 91 made threes a season. However, there are also a handful of other players who are going to stay ahead of Bryant, namely Jamal Crawford, Vince Carter, and Paul Pierce. However, Bryant’s chucking ability can’t be deterred. Luckily for him, three of the five players ahead of him are still active.
Projected Career-End Total – 1,822 3PM, 9th all-time/5,539 3PA, 6th all-time
Free Throws Made/Attempted
All-Time Leader – Malone 9,787 FTM/13,188 FTA
One of the strengths of Bryant’s game has always been his ability to get to the free throw line. In his prime, he averaged over 10 free throws a game, a number that has decreased to around 8.5 per game this season. Nonetheless, he’s found his way into third all-time in makes and fifth all-time in attempts.
However, Bryant’s chances at the top spot are unlikely considering Karl Malone’s massive lead. Bryant has 8,116 made free throws as of now, yet is over 1,600 makes away from Malone.
Still, Bryant will finish among the top three in both. In fact, he’s averaging more free throws a night this season than he has since 2007-08. However, he’s also shooting the worst percentage from the charity stripe since his second season in the league, furthering damaging his chase for Malone.
Projected Career-End Total – 8,834 FTM, 2nd all-time/10,543 FTA, 5th all-time