Nearly two decades after one of the most iconic scoring performances in NBA history, Chris Paul is making it clear: if he had been on the opposing bench that night, Kobe Bryant would not have dropped 81 points.
In 2006 against the Toronto Raptors, Bryant unleashed a legendary outburst that earned him the second-highest single-game scoring total in league history.
Chris Paul Reveals His Take on Kobe Bryant’s Historic 81-Point Game
A masterclass in shot-making and competitive fire, the performance is still one of the sport’s defining moments. Paul believes that such an explosion would not have occurred on his watch.
“That game Kobe had 81, couldn’t be me,” Paul said during a recent segment of TheTylilShow.
“I’m ejected, I’ve done fouled out, something. What we talking about coach? I’m not guarding the other guys. We’re going to double team him. Trap him. Let somebody else score.”
Paul’s comments aren’t just for show; they reveal what matters most to him as a basketball player. While Bryant is known for his high scoring, Paul has built his reputation as a leader who controls the game, sets the pace, and ensures everyone plays solid defense. The 2006 Rookie of the Year felt that one player scoring 70 or 80 points meant the team’s strategy and the players had failed.
He said that if he had the chance, he would have made sure Bryant didn’t keep the ball. Paul explained he would have played tough defense, brought in extra defenders early, and acted quickly, rather than just guarding one-on-one and risking embarrassment.
“I’m not guarding the other guys,” Paul emphasized, noting that the defensive priorities must change completely once a scorer reaches a certain rhythm. His stance in the NBA today, where 50-point games are becoming more common, highlights an old-school mindset rooted in pride and physical resistance.
“Something would’ve happened,” he added, suggesting that he would have escalated the physicality or defensive pressure to disrupt Bryant’s rhythm.
Paul didn’t stop at bold claims. His argument was backed up by a number he got from his own career. Since he started playing in 2005, he said that only once did a player score 50 points against him (most likely referring to Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring 50 points in Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Finals).
He says that the number shows how strong his defense is and how well he manages the game. Over the past few decades, Paul has made a name for himself as someone who can lead top defenses, call out plays, and make sure his teammates do their jobs.
