Kobe Bryant recently said that he’d had never watched his 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors. His reasoning was, “what can I learn from it.” I guess Kobe changed his mind, today is the 7th anniversary of the highest individual point total game in modern NBA history. NBA TV re-aired the game so Kobe live tweeted while watching for the first time. Re-watching that game is fascinating. You forget that the Raptors were pretty good that year. That Kobe was playing with Smush Parker, Chris Mihm, Kwame Brown, Luke Walton and Devan George. That the Lakers were down 18 at one point and climbed back. That Kobe scored 42 points in a half. That he went off for 13 points in the last 5 minutes. And so on, etc. etc.
Check out Kobe’s thoughts on his performance and where his head was at throughout the contest.
I can’t believe I’ve never watched this game till now
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 22, 2013
After my first bucket I realized their rotations weren’t sharp or early — Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 22, 2013
This game was the 1st and only game my grandma has seen me play as a pro, On my late grandfather’s bday no less #countonfamily
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 22, 2013
Youthful metabolism!! I’m fresh of pepperoni pizza and grape soda! #countonkobe
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 22, 2013
I scored 81 this game? #countonkobe #countonkobespeakingin3rdperson
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 22, 2013
.@4yearsenior I sent them to the hall of fame
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 22, 2013
.@nikebasketball Phil talked about how to move guys around to beat the zone
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 22, 2013
Watching the game now, the easy shots I missed, I could of had 100 pts! #countonkobe
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 22, 2013
You knew Shaq would chime in. On TNT's "Inside the NBA" on Monday night, Shaq, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber kept saying there was no way this was Kobe's first time watching this game. Shaq said "He knows Kobe.." They were laughing some I'm sure it was just kicks and giggles.
Down 14, I'm heating up...at this point I wouldn't pass a kidney stone #countonkobe
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 22, 2013
.@paulkang40 all yet none
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 22, 2013
The look of frustration has become all too familiar lately #countonkobe
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 22, 2013
After the 3rd quarter, @reallamarodom tells me "you can't get 60", then half way through he said "you can't get 70" #countonkobe
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 22, 2013
Luke, the only white boy with a jerry curl #countonkobe
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 22, 2013
The last 2 mins of the game @laker fan reactions gave me goose bumps #countonkobe
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 22, 2013
I wonder what Phil was thinking #countonkobe
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 22, 2013
I knew I should have got a fresh hair cut for this game #countonkobe
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 22, 2013
TRUTH Kobe... that was not the business.
Check out all 81 of Kobe's points in this 3 minute video.
