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Kobe Bryant: Top five greatest performances vs Toronto Raptors

By Aditya Chandran

TORONTO, CANADA: Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant drives to the hoop past Toronto Raptors forward Vince Carter during first half NBA action in Toronto, Canada, on 06 January, 2002. The Lakers defeated the Raptors 109 - 89. AFP PHOTO/J.P. Moczulski (Photo credit should read J.P. MOCZULSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA: Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant drives to the hoop past Toronto Raptors forward Vince Carter during first half NBA action in Toronto, Canada, on 06 January, 2002. The Lakers defeated the Raptors 109 - 89. AFP PHOTO/J.P. Moczulski (Photo credit should read J.P. MOCZULSKI/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Kobe Bryant
LOS ANGELES – JANUARY 22: Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against the Toronto Raptors on January 22, 2006 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Bryant scored 81 points, the second highest total in NBA history. The Lakers won 122-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. January 22nd, 2006

Final Score: Lakers 122 Raptors 104

Kobe Bryant Stats: 81 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 61 FG%

Was there any doubt as to what was going to be number one on this list? This performance was not only historic in regards to his history with the Raptors, but this was also the second greatest scoring feat in NBA history. Kobe Bryant was already solidifying himself as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history before this performance. There was little doubt after this performance.

Few ever believed that Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 points in a single game record would ever be broken, but Kobe came close. The Raptors held a comfortable lead in the third quarter and had all the momentum on their side until Kobe Bryant absolutely ripped them to shreds. He scored an insane 55 points in the second half and single-handedly willed the team to a blowout victory.

The team Bryant had available to him was poor. The Lakers were still struggling to find him the help he needed to win rings, but he continued to take what he had available to him and make the most of it. He put on a show at Staples Center and shocked the world.

Trash-talk Toronto Raptors: Remembering Kobe Bryant. light. Related Story

The Raptors will forever be linked to Kobe Bryant after this performance, but it’s hard to hate the man for it. Even Raptors fans were captivated by what they were seeing, despite the loss. They knew, and the rest of the world knew, that Bryant was a generational superstar.