Los Angeles Lakers and NBA icon Kobe Bryant is currently generating headlines, as his historic 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors in 2006 has now been surpassed by Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo, who scored 83 points recently against the Washington Wizards.
Comparisons are now being made between the two games, as well as Bryant’s infamous final NBA game against the Utah Jazz when he scored 60 points. An NBA All-Star who squared off against Bryant in his final game recently weighed in on the current controversy.
Former NBA All-Star Declares Kobe Bryant’s Final Game Wasn’t Legitimate
NBA All-Star Gordon Hayward discussed Bryant’s memorable final NBA game and offered a surprising take.
While speaking on Sirius XM Radio, Hayward said, “Now that game was different than any game I’ve ever been a part of as well, I mean he took 60 shots that game or whatever, 50 shots I think, something like that. So, that one was also, like not a legitimate game, both teams were out, we knew we weren’t making the playoffs, they knew they weren’t making the playoffs. But certainly, we weren’t just letting him score.”
Gordon Hayward says Kobe’s 60-point game in his final game wasn’t really legitimate and that he was forcing shots for most of the game
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Hayward’s claim that the game didn’t feel legitimate is sure to generate a strong response, though it appears he meant within the context of the season. Both teams essentially had nothing to play for but pride. The game was essentially a tribute to Bryant’s legendary career.
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Bryant scored more than half of the Lakers’ total points on the come from behind 101-96 win over the Jazz. He nearly played the entire game and was determined to leave everything on the court. He took 50 shots from the field and had 21 three-point attempts.
However, as Hayward points out, the Jazz were playing to win, and they forced Bryant to score against some tough defense as the Lakers started their comeback.
The comparisons between Bryant and Adebayo will continue in the coming days. Adebayo shot an NBA record 43 free throws in his 83-point game, compared to Bryant’s 12 free-throw attempts in his 60-point game against the Jazz and 20 free-throw attempts in his 81-point game against the Raptors.
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It’s fairly clear that Bryant encountered more defensive resistance than Adebayo, who was facing a Wizards team that may be slightly checked out, considering the organization is openly tanking and looking ahead to next season.
Hayward’s comments add more fuel to the debate regarding who should truly be recognized as the NBA’s second greatest single-game scoring king behind Wilt Chamberlain.
