Bryant Posts Rare Stat Line in Big Comeback Win
Kobe Bryant scored 42 points on 14-21 field goal shooting, passed for a game-high 12 assists and grabbed seven rebounds as the L.A. Lakers overcame a 25 point deficit to beat the New Orleans Hornets 108-102 on Wednesday night. Bryant scored 25 points in the second half, including 13 during the Lakers' 20-0 run in the game's final 6:22. The last 34 year old player who amassed a stat line of 42-12-7 is Larry Bird, who had 49 points, 12 assists and 14 rebounds on March 15, 1992 as his Boston Celtics defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 152-148 in double overtime. Bird shot 19-35 from the field.There have only been eight 42-12-7 performances since 1985-86; the most recent player to achieve this feat was LeBron James (43 points, 15 assists, 13 rebounds on February 18, 2010 in Cleveland's 118-116 loss to Denver). Bird is the only player who had two 42-12-7 games in that time span, while LeBron James and Michael Jordan are the only two players whose teams lost despite their 42-12-7 stat lines. Michael Adams and Kenny Anderson are the two outliers on this list; the other players (Bird, Bryant, James, Jordan and Tracy McGrady) are all perennial All-Stars.
Bryant has scored 40 or more points in 118 regular season games, third on the all-time list behind Wilt Chamberlain (271) and Michael Jordan (173). The Lakers are 79-39 in those games, a .669 winning percentage that is equivalent to a 55-27 record in an 82 game season; someone should point this stat out to Mike Wilbon and Jon Barry.
Labels: Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers, Larry Bird, LeBron James
posted by David Friedman @ 6:21 AM
11 Comments:
If Kobe somehow drags this Lakers team into the playoffs wouldn't he at least deserve some MVP considerations. What he's doing at this age is remarkable and without him I couldn't see this lakers team anywhere near the playoff hunt. I understand Lebron is having a historic season as well, but without him the Heat still have Wade and Bosh who could carry them to a decent seed in the East.
-Ray
Kobe said that the Lakers will make the playoffs. And this past month he's been doing everything for la to win. He's been putting the team on his back.
There may be times when a superstar shoots too much, but its all about doing whats necessary. In response to wilbon and barry section.
Back in the 2005-2006 season Kobe averaged 27 shot attempts per game. Some people saying he was too much without analyzing his cast. That team would have been easily been a bottom team that year without Kobe. Thr mvp that year, Nash wouldn't have gotten that team to the playoffs
What a sick and amazing game by Kobe Bean...
David, we might have to start the "Kobe needs to score 40pts or more per game for the Lakers to win" movement! ;) Lol
Of course, this isn't 2001 with the Fro-Kobe or even 2007, so likely his body won't hold up. But, with how well he's been playing this year and all this talk about "the Curious Case of Kobe Bryant" and the seemingly reverse aging process currently on display, who knows? HA!
At the very least, we can enjoy the wonders of his game these final few years...
But if someone did, then neither of those guys would have anything to talk about!
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." (Plato)
I know it was against a very young, very green, and pretty bad Hornets team, but that comeback was amazing nonetheless.
David,
what do you make of ESPN hacks alluding to Kobe PED use when Kobe has told everybody that he went to Germany for a blood platelet treatment that removed the arthritic pain that he was suffering from the 2 seasons before last year???
Renown orthopedic doctors have said that the only reason that this treatment is not approved the FDA is mainly because of politics from major pharmaceutical companies??
There were rumors about Wade using steroids(from his x-wife and x business partner) and Lebron being linked to a steroid clinic in Miami but ESPN has ignored them. Derrick Rose said a few years ago that majority of NBA was on steroids but ESPN also ignored that...
what do you make of that?
Ray:
Bryant should be a lock for the All-NBA First Team but nobody is playing as well as James is this season. Bryant should be no lower than third in the MVP voting (behind James and Durant)--and possibly as high as second depending on what happens down the stretch--but I suspect that the voters will drop Bryant to fourth or fifth because they tend to place him lower than they should.
Anonymous:
You are correct about Bryant's impact during the 2005-06 season and I made the same points at that time.
Ed P:
It is amazing that Bryant can still play at such a high level despite his age and his injuries (both the chronic ones and the current elbow problem).
Jordan:
Yes, and some fools talk simply because they have to fill air time.
Jack F:
I don't make anything of much of what is said on ESPN and I would advise you to do likewise. There is definitely a widespread PED problem in sports but I have no information regarding James, Wade or Bryant using PEDs.
marcel armstead
got to admit i thought kobe lost a ste and started looking 34. during the month he shot terrible and was assisting alot cause he wasnt able to score 40 50 points no more. but he seem to comeback and got his shooting stroke back. he is a all time great and he is proving that, idk if the lakers could go anywhere in playoffs cause they dont have much continuity and system as keeny smith who knows b ball said. its kobe or bust cause howard who has played better after all star break not getting it done offensively and i think he doesnt like how the lakers play him in the post. nash giving nothing earl clark is ok world peace gives u nothing, only kobe twan and meeks and howard somewhat is playing any good.
lebron by far best player and mvp durant clearly number 2, kobe could be 3-4 depend where chris paul land wit the way clippers been all year. i think lakers gon win 48 games and maybe make second round but they need howard to play better offensively and they need to get memphis in first round.
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