Kobe Bryant 30 points 10-15 FG vs Wizards 2007-08 *19 in 1st

February 3rd, 2008
Verizon Center
Washington D.C.

Boxscore: http://www.nba.com/games/20080203/LALWAS/boxscore.html

Statline: 30 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 10-15 FG, 2-5 3pt, 8-11 FT

2 days after Pau Gasol was dealt to the Lakers and after Kobe Bryant scored 46 points vs the Raptors, it seemed as though adrenaline was still running through Kobe in the 1st quarter. Kobe scored the 4 quick points for the Lakers to start the 1st quarter. Playing like it was his last game, Bryant was very aggressive throughout the 1st quarter victimizing every defender who stood in his way in a full arsenal. He did it all in the 1st quarter, making cuts, posting up, getting to the foul line, and of course his perfected fadeaway. Even when someone else was scoring, it was created off of Bryant. Bryant made 6-8 of his shots in the 1st quarter including 6-6 from the foul line and a long three over Caron Butler to end the shot clock. Kobe delivered an entire game's worth of highlights in the 1st quarter as he scored 19 points and completely outscored the Washington Wizards 19 to 15. Just Kobe's pressence alone received more cheers than made baskets by the Wizards in the 1st quarter. 5 different defenders were thrown at Kobe, none was a success. Stevenson drew 3 fouls in the 1st quarter trying to guard Kobe, Nick Young drew 3 fouls before the half, and Caron Butler never was able to slow him down.

Said Deshawn Stevenson on Kobe's rampage: "He took us out of the game. We were passive. We weren't trying to attack. That's not like us.


Fed up, Eddie Jordan and the Washington Wizards were determined not to let Kobe go off the remainder of the game. After the 1st quarter, Kobe was doubled by Washington every time on the catch. Whether Kobe was 30 feet from the basket or whether he was in the post, no time was Kobe ever allowed to score on single coverage. However even their hardest doubles could not match Bryant's passing, on court awareness, and intelligence. Bryant helped the Lakers to a 24 point cushion at the end of 3 while playing a team game.

In the 4th quarter, the Washington Wizards made a surge and the Lakers were out of sync offensively. Kobe Bryant was put back in the game and facing the same double teams, Bryant jumpstarted his team shooting and swishing a fadeaway three straightaway against the double team. His leadership on the court helped the Lakers hold on to the lead as they went on to win 103-91.

Other Notes: Before the game, Nick Young testified that Kobe Bryant was the greatest basketball player of all time. When asked on who the greatest of all time was, he responded, "Kobe. Kobe's the man."

One field goal in the 3rd quarter is missing.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Kobe
• Bryant
• 60
• 50
• 45
• 40
• Gilbert
• Arenas
• Pau
• Gasol
• Lakers
• quarter
• 4th
• clutch
• fadeaway
• three
• jumpshot
• defense
• 80's
• butler

[LakersRule24]

Who else in history can make that last shot? NOBODY.

[LakersRule24]

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[ego999]

damn with all these arguments. LeBron = bigger, faster, stronger, more explosive, than Kobe. Kobe = better than LeBron. dont start an argument. If LeBron fans say that LeBron's better cause his stats are better, then that is the same as saying Oscar Robertson was the best player in history since he averaged a triple-double. If LeBron fans claim that LeBron played better against the Celtics, think again. He shot 32% against the C's, and C's never really got it going til the East finals.

[wilddip]

Kobe bryant is still better than Lerbon James that is a fact.

[KobeBryantROXz]

that last shot just doesnt happen. i mean cmon!!

[BhradR]

@sexbuffet He was wearing the Kobe Zoom 3.

[sexbuffet]

what shoes was kobe wearing this game?

[2pacisthebest90]

KOBE IS THE BEST!

[m23m]

LeQuit Games will never be better than the Black Mamba

[SickVick7]

@LakersRule24 a guy who had a bulls jersey on with #23 .. only him and kobe .. i cant remember some one else doing this ;) .. black mamba the best player on earth!!!

[jpyr0304]

ahh dumb fucks these days plain and simple Kobe is a SHOOTING Guard his job is too shoot, Lebron is a SMALL FORWARD his job is too rebound pass and get open looks... Kobe is smarter and more of a threat(Crunchtime) he has killer instinct(even Lebron admitted that), Lebron is all power and fens for stats and his isnt close to having that Killer Instinct mode(yet). I like both but as of now Kobe is clearly more finesse...

[erik24MVP]

if the cavs were not ready to make finals, why did they? how did they make the finals? they obviously beat the best in the east to get there. don't bring up that bullshit argument. it's useless.

[FlamesXT10]

lebron's team was much worse than the spurs and kobe's lakers, and besides everyone knew the cavs were not ready to make the finals and that they were going to be swept or lose in 5. Kobe's lakers in 08 got owned by the celtics, more people expected the lakers to win but they loss