Seven years ago to the date, Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to victory, torching the Knicks for 61 points
Similar to his 81 point game, stories from this night have become legend. From the reports that he trash talked his defenders in Italian after hitting jumpers in their face to his stoic attitude even before the contest, Kobe Bryant scored 61 in classic Kobe fashion.
This was a time when Kobe wanted to destroy his defenders, not laugh with them at every occasion. This Kobe was an assassin.
Fueled by the fact that after the game he was going to have a sit down with filmmaker and long time Knick’s fan, Spike Lee, Kobe also revealed,
"‘On a lighter note, I’m going to review this documentary I’m doing with Spike Lee tonight after the game and I didn’t feel like sitting next to him and hearing him talking trash about the Knicks, so that was added incentive as well,’ Bryant said. ‘Seriously. He’s going to get an earful tonight.’"
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Kobe finished with 61 points, shooting 61 percent from the field, hitting 20 of 20 free throws from the line pushing the Lakers record to (38-9) on the year.
Ironically, the Knicks coach at the time was Mike D’Antoni, who went onto coach the Lakers a few seasons later.
Despite not winning the MVP that season, Kobe went on to lead the Lakers to the first of their back-to-back championships, his fourth overall.
It’s hard to imagine a time when the Lakers, or Kobe Bryant for that matter, dominated teams, all things considered, but good times are right around the corner… hopefully.
Next: Report: Warriors Emerge As Serious Suitor for Kevin Durant
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