Looking Back On My Favorite Of Kobe’s 30,000 Points

As you know, Kobe Bryant joined an elite group as the Lakers defeated the Pelicans on Wednesday night.  With his driving score at the 1:15 mark of the second quarter, Bryant became the NBA’s fifth 30,000-point scorer, putting his name among the likes of Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, Wilt Chamberlain, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.  Pretty special company for one of the most remarkable scorers of my lifetime, and the ultimate tribute to the way he’s been able to withstand the test of time.  Indeed, longevity has become one of the most impressive aspects of Kobe’s 17-season career.  Other superstars have risen since he played his first All-Star game in 1998, and it can be argued that a handful achieved a comparable level of play.  What none of them have been able to do is maintain elite status for as long as Kobe Bryant, who leads the NBA in scoring at this very moment.  To me, it’s not Kobe’s peak that sets him apart from his peers; it’s his durability, which is a testament to his work ethi...