Kobe Bryant’s 81-Point Game wouldn’t be 2nd Best All-Time if Damian Lillard “Wanted to” Score 90 in Career-Night in Houston
Follow Us
Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard reached his explosive best in the 2022-23 season with a 71-pointer. Notably, he almost leveled Klay Thompson’s 14 three-pointers record on that night. Amid his current trade drama, Lillard found himself in another debate, but for a good reason. Almost five months after his explosive game, a former Houston Rockets star hailed that Dame could have surpassed Kobe Bryant’s iconic 81-point game.
Ever since he expressed his wish to find a new franchise, Lillard has been stuck in a long-standing trade drama. 7x NBA All-Star has anchored the Portland franchise for 11 seasons and he is yet to win a ring. Despite averaging 25.2 points in the regular season and 5x 60-pointer games, the 7x All-Star hasn’t really tasted success. Meanwhile, when the entire NBA world expects a huge trade update, Dame Dolla’s opponent hailed him for his explosive best in February 2023.
A Rockets star hails Damian Lillard for his career-best game
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Trail Blazers had a disappointing campaign in the 2022-23 season, finishing 13th seed in the Western Conference. However, the team’s star player, Damian Lillard had an emphatic outing in the season, averaging 32.2 points in the regular season. Especially, the star’s career-best 71-pointer against the Rockets stood out of the lot. Importantly, five months after the game, former Rockets forward Kenyon Martin Jr. hailed Lillard’s performance in a recent podcast.
Featuring in the Podcast P with Paul George alongside his dad, Kenyon Martin, KJ Martin reminisced about the game from February. He added, “I was sick to my stomach,” while his dad narrated how he kept running to get the rebound. Furthermore, he said how Lillard could have the second-highest point scorer in the game beating Kobe Bryant. He said, “He had 40 at halftime against us. He could have scored 90 if he wanted.” While the hoops community believed that Mamba’s 81-pointer was one of the greatest performances ever, Martin Jr. threw everyone off guard.
Trending
Shaquille O’Neal and TNT Co-Hosts to Part Ways After 13 Years? Analyzing “Inside the NBA” Hurdles That Might End an Era
May 04, 2024 02:30 PM EDT
Billionaire Michael Jordan’s Drink With Derek Jeter Was Enough for Yankees Legend to Invest in $11.69 Billion Worth Industry
May 03, 2024 01:00 PM EDT
Brittney Griner Blasts WNBA for Ruining Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso’s Debut: “In No World Does It Make Sense…”
May 04, 2024 01:10 PM EDT
“Transferring? Hell Yeah”: Nika Muhl Gets Blunt on Fights With Geno Auriemma After 4 Years of Loyalty to UConn
May 04, 2024 09:02 PM EDT
Dwight Howard Uses LeBron James’ Heartbreak to Fuel Paolo Banchero & Magic’s Game 7 Quest vs Cavs
May 05, 2024 06:46 PM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
“He Could Be Traded”: With Damian Lillard and James Harden Still in the Market, ESPN Reporter Hints at a Major Trade Involving Warriors’ Chris Paul
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
While we talk about Dame Time, let’s not forget Mamba’s iconic 81-pointer
Mamba smoked an 81-pointer in 2006
In a comeback game at home, Kobe Bryant lit up the arena against the Toronto Raptors with 81 points. Importantly, he went on to record the second-highest single game points tally in the League behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-pointer. After the game, Bryant himself couldn’t believe it as he said, “Not even in my dreams… It’s tough to explain. It’s just one of those things.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch This Story – Damian Lillard Drops a Time Bomb about His NBA Future
What do you make of KJ Martin’s opinion on Lillard surpassing Mamba’s 81-pointer? Let us know your opinion in the comments.
Edited by:
Sameen Nawathe