words // Brandon Richard
With a little more than a minute to play in the second quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday, Kobe Bryant attacked the zone from the right wing, hit Robin Lopez with a cut back move and dropped in a shot with his right. Those two points were what he needed to join the elusive 30,000 Point Club.
Kobe joins Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone and Michael Jordan as the only five players in NBA history to accomplish the feat. At just 34 years and 104 days old, Bryant is the youngest to ever hit the mark.
Trailing after the first half, Kobe and the Lakers put it together in the second half for a much-needed 103-87 victory. Kobe had 29 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists on the night.
To achieve the milestone, Kobe laced up a custom colorway of the Nike Kobe VII System. Kicks are decked out in Dark Grey with white working the logos and midsole and purple filling in the heel counter and outsole. It's possible that Kobe ID'd this pair, but fans cannot replicate the exact blocking with the current options.
With his latest accomplishment, where does Kobe rank on the NBA's list of all-time great players? Top 10? Top 20?
Photos from Kobe's historic outing below.
30,000 Points - December 5, 2012
vs. New Orleans Hornets at New Orleans Arena
Lakers - 103, Hornets - 87
29 Points, 6 Rebounds, 4 Assists
Nike Kobe VII System
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