Kobe Bryant, also known as Black Mamba, is an iconic NBA player who amassed an outstanding career.
Kobe was a league MVP, the Lakers’ all-time leading scorer, and a two-time Finals MVP. Even after his tragic death in a helicopter crash with his daughter Gianna, Bryant’s name will remain in the NBA records forever.
NBA has featured in the United States professional sports leagues since 1949 and even contributed to the launch of top NBA betting sites.
To celebrate the Black Mamba’s legacy, here are some of the 10 most impressive records he still holds.
1) NBA Player to Score Highest Points in a Single Arena
On January 22nd, 2006, Kobe scored 81 points against Toronto Raptors, making it the record-highest point scored in a single game in NBA history in more than 50 years. This record still holds till today. In December 2005, Kobe dropped 62 points in the first 3 quarters against the Dallas Mavericks.
2) Youngest Player to Start in NBA All-Star Game
Kobe Bryant made his youngest start in an NBA game at 18 years and 158 days old. He featured in the starting lineup in the regular-season game between the LA Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.
Later, Kobe became the youngest NBA player to play in an All-Star game in Madison Square Garden. He played on Western Conference Team with Gary Payton, Tim Duncan, and Shaq O’Neal.
3) NBA Player with most All-Star MVP Awards
Kobe Bryant joined Bob Pettit as the only NBA player who has won the NBA All-Star Game MVP award. Bryant won the award four times to set an unbelievable record in NBA history.
4) Top Guard with highest points scored, free throws, turnovers
Kobe Bryant became the first guard to hit 33,643 points in NBA history. He recorded a whopping 8,378 free throws and 4,010 turnovers in his career.
5) Youngest NBA Slam Dunk Contest Winner
Kobe Bryant’s dominance in Cleveland’s 1997 Slam Dunk Contest saw him become the youngest winner of the Slam Dunk Contest.
He defeated Chris Carr, Micheal Finley, Bob Sura, Darvin Ham, and Ray Allen. He made 2 thrilling dunks in the first round and topped them with a 3rd one in the championship round.
6) Oldest NBA Player to score the highest points
Bryant still remains the oldest player to hit 60+ points in an NBA regular-season game. In the final game of the 2015/2016 season, Kobe dropped a masterpiece performance in his last game, hitting 60 points against Utah Jazz. He was 37 years and 234 days old.
7) NBA Player with Longest 50 Point Streak
Photo: Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty ImagesKobe Bryant is an all-time hell of a basket-maker, recording the longest 50-point streak in 2007. He recorded 65-point against Portland Trail Blazers and 50 points against Minnesota Timberwolves.
He later topped this record with 60 points against Memphis Grizzlies and 50 points against New Orleans Hornets since the NBA-ABA merger.
8) Guard with Most All-Defensive Selections
Bryant is named among the guards with the most NBA All-Defensive selections.
He had 12 selections in total. 9 of them were in the NBA All-Defensive First Team and 3 in NBA All-Defensive Second Teams elections.
9) Highest Point Scorer in Modern NBA
Kobe Bryant will go down in history as the longest-tenured Lakers with the highest points in NBA history. He recorded a whopping 33,643 points with 16,161 points scored in Staples Center.
Most NBA fans refer to Staples as the House Built by Kobe.
10) NBA Player with Most Consecutive All-Star Selections
Kobe Bryant was selected in the NBA All-Star Awards 18 consecutive times and won 4 times.
The award was renamed NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant MVP in his honor.
Featured Image: Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images
