Kobe Bryant Scores 61, Most Ever at Madison Square Garden

Posted Feb 03, 2009 12:50AM By Matt Watson (RSS feed)

You have to love Kobe Bryant's timing. Just in case you were worried that Andrew Bynum's injury would knock the Lakers down a notch, Bryant reminded the world on Monday night why you can't ever take his team for granted by exploding for 61 points against the Knicks.

Scoring in bunches is nothing new for Bryant -- this was his 17th game with at least 50 points, and his fifth with at least 60 -- but this performance was notable for a few reasons. For one, no player in the history of the game has ever scored more points at Madison Square Garden.

Before tonight, Michael Jordan had the record for visiting players with his double-nickel in 1995, while Bernard King set the mark for the home team with a cool 60 on Christmas Day in 1984. Tonight, Bryant's name sits atop both leaderboards.

But what's even more impressive than setting the record was the brutal efficiency in how he went about doing it. Bryant shot 19-for-31 (61.3%) from the field and a perfect 20-for-20 from the free-throw line. And while he may have stayed in the game a few more minutes than necessary simply to break the record, he did play only 36 minutes on the night, matching his season average.

What inspired his explosion? Surely part of it was wanting to pull Lakers fans back off the ledge after this afternoon's disappointing news about Bynum, but as he joked after the game, it was partly inspired by a certain Knicks super fan:

"On a lighter note, I gotta go review this documentary I'm doing with Spike Lee after the game," Bryant said. "I didn't feel like sitting next to him and hearing him talk trash about the Knicks. So, that was added incentive as well."

Way to help the home team, Spike. For what's it's worth, the rest of the fans in attendance seemed to appreciate the show, chanting M-V-P as Bryant approached and broke the record. You don't often see fans do that for a rival player, but there's something to be said for simply enjoying the moment as history is being made.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

2-03-2009 @ 2:13AM

nabpdcop said...

OMG, did someone say La A** James was the best player in the NBA? Check again haters. Andrew will be back in about a month or so. STAND BY.............smile.

2-03-2009 @ 6:18AM

DM said...

Michael Jordan scored 50 plus points back then when the Knicks were the Knicks. Kobe scored 61 against a crappy Knicks team. It's annoying how the media over hype this one just because it's in MSG. It's just a f@#king stadium with a mediocre team. They should take that into consideration.

2-03-2009 @ 8:10AM

mgsuperstarvideo said...

Yeah, it may be a crappy NY team but I am sure that the Knicks team that Wilt Chamberlin scored 100 points on in Pennsylvania wasn't all that either, but it was still a great accomplishment.

2-03-2009 @ 9:35AM

demzrdopes said...

your turn Lebron. good luck, Kobe.

2-03-2009 @ 9:51AM

dtotr said...

Everybody is saying that Kobe has scored the most points at the Garden but I think that is wrong! Didn't Carol Blazjowsi of Montclair State University, now of the WNBA, score more?

2-03-2009 @ 11:11AM

Jonathan said...

Michael Jordan scored 50 or more points in 50 games throughout his career. The amazing thing about it is, as I tallied every FGA and FGM, he shot an astounding 61.8% in those games for his career! Now that's incredible. I've never heard any commentator mention that, probably because they don't know. Kobe had a great scoring night, but 0 rebounds, only 3 assists and 0 steals. Even in the game when Jordan scored 69 against Cleveland in 89, when they had the best record in the league that year under Lenny Wilkins, he also had 18 rebounds, 9 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks. That's getting it done all-around. Most complete player ever, hands down.

2-03-2009 @ 11:32AM

sandytarrdesign said...

who cares...Kobe Bryant is still a disgusting low life who had to buy his wife a $40M ring and a Jag so she wouldn't kick the rapist out.

2-04-2009 @ 5:05AM

JESUS CHRIST B**CH LET IT GO DAMM. That was years ago. Since then he's had another kid and living life. Plus an MVP, get over it ALREADY.

2-03-2009 @ 11:36AM

golakes! said...

This isn't a forum for who deserves consideration as the best all around player in the NBA, so please find other worthy subjects to explore. Kobe rules!

2-03-2009 @ 11:53AM

puck said...

...a stadium record is a stadium record(period)

2-03-2009 @ 11:56AM

golakes; It's a forum for whatever I want to post and aint nothin you or anybody else can do about it. So shut up! Don't hate cause you Laker fans are always trying to compare Kobe to MJ and it's absolutely useless. If you don't like the my subject, go to another forum!

2-03-2009 @ 12:06PM

STUD said...

You jealous sandytarr. The sex he had was mutual. It wasn't rape. You might be confused with Mike Tyson. That's the other black man. And if kobe's wife took him back for whatever reason, be it a diamond ring. What do you care, get a life.

2-03-2009 @ 12:10PM

jcelvis1 said...

This is why the NBA is nothing like it was back in the day...there is no Team play anymore. The Celtics are as close as it gets right now but that is what will win championships not one great player. Look at how it has evolved...it used to be the Cavaliers against the Lakers...what is it now....Lebron versus Kobe. If you do not see this how blind are you?????

2-03-2009 @ 12:16PM

juan said...

Laker fans "ALWAYS" compare kobe to MJ.

dude jump in your time machine, go back to 1998 and get off MJs nuts. Kobe dominated last night. Kobe dominates in your dreams and kobe will continue to dominate till HE retires. Take your stats and cuddle up in your old ass Bulls 1992 championship blanket. MJ did what he did and thats that.

2-03-2009 @ 1:43PM

Kobe dominates your dreams, if you even have any. I'm sure if you did, you haven't fulfilled any of them yet. Kobe's domination don't lead to championships. That's why Boston shut him down last year and he won't get one this year. Put that in your "future" dreams! Kobe's last championship was 01-02 with Shaq who was MVP of all Three!! LOL. I guess your blanket's getting old too, huh? Why can't he win one without Shaq? He's an outstanding player and I'll give him his props among the elite to play when he wins one in the post Shaq era.

2-03-2009 @ 12:20PM

coachbill said...

Yeah, real impressive, Bryant drops 61 on that defensive juggernaut the Knicks. Remember a couple of years ago when Bryant scored 81 against the flat-footed Raptors? Just another example of cement-shoes defense that is the NBA. Plus, he gets the preferential star treatment, which puts him on the line 20 times in a game. The NBA is about as legitimate as the WWE. I will give Bryant this: He works his ass off. But he's a scorer and not much more.

2-04-2009 @ 9:52AM

jmwhitmore said...

Coach Bill:

I don't disagree with you about some things... but he's a scorer and not much more??? Check the last 10 all-defensive teams and you may find a familiar name. If Kobe never scored a point, he would have a huge impact on the game defensively.

2-04-2009 @ 1:04PM

Tarron said...

Quit hating on THE BLACK MAMBA he is the best in the league and will continue to be until he retires and what does his wife got to do with what he does on court almost every man cheated got caught and had to make it up some kinda of way he just has more monet to do it with HATERS L.A 4EVER

2-03-2009 @ 1:08PM

0810 said...

OK Knick fans, let's put the entire night into perspective. Kobe's performance last night was fantastic and we should applaud him however, 61, 81 or 161 points only amounts to 1 more win for the Lakers and Only 1 more loss for the Knicks! Last light he not only dazzled us with his performance but he did it graciously and with respect well into the post game report. Unlike the Reggie Miller's of the past, he has class!
Few last last things to note: The Lakers won by less than 10 points, while a single player posted 61. Also, should the Knicks go 2-2 in their next 4 games, they will own sole possession of the 8th playoff spot. Should go 9 for 5 in their next 14 games, this would lock-up the 7th spot and contend for the 6th seed. Not bad guys, one game at a time!!!!

Go Step & take Eddie with you!!!!