Bryant a hit on Broadway, sets MSG record

Feb 3, 2009 - 4:29 AM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Kobe Bryant had it made in Manhattan, where even the famously vociferous Madison Square Garden fans appreciated what he did Monday night.

Bryant netted 61 points to set the scoring record at the current MSG, which opened in February 1968, in the Los Angeles Lakers' 126-117 win over the New York Knicks.

"The building is special because it's the last one left," said Bryant, who obliterated his season high of 41 points.

"We have the Boston Garden, which I never played in, the (Great Western) Forum and then there's this building. This is the last one that holds all the memories of all the great players."

The reigning MVP notched his 24th career 50-point game, surpassing Bernard King's 60-point performance on December 25, 1984. Michael Jordan held the scoring mark for an opponent at MSG with 55 points in 1995 - a famous outburst known simply as the "double-nickel."

Ever the basketball historian, Bryant was familiar with the game.

"I didn't know that was a record but I watched the game actually when (Jordan) had that game," Bryant said. "Just oohing and ahhing and just marveling at the performance. I'm sure we all were."

The performance earned a respectful MVP chant from the Garden's fans, including a large contingent in purple and gold. He garnered that respect by setting the NBA's season-high scoring performance but, remarkably, falling 20 shy of his career-best effort.

Like Jordan before him, Bryant won over even Knicks fans in a building which has been dubbed the "Mecca of Basketball" and the "World's Most Famous Arena."

"This place is special because the fans, they'll boo you the whole game but they appreciate the game," Bryant said. "It felt great to get that reaction from these fans because they love what you do, and it's a great performance and being able to celebrate that moment ... it felt great."

The superstar guard was 19-of-31 from the field and 20-of-20 from the free-throw line.

His final two free throws capped the remarkable performance and lit up a bank of flashbulbs in the crowd, which looked on in awe.

It was a performance worthy of its acclaim.

Along with smashing the records set by King and Jordan, Bryant authored the highest-scoring game against the Knicks - at any venue - since Pete Maravich hit for 68 in 1977.

The reigning MVP scored 34 points in the first half Monday, the second-best mark in a half this season. Carmelo Anthony hit for 36 points on December 10, when he tied an NBA record with 33 points in the third quarter.

The volume of points was nothing new for Bryant, who torched the Toronto Raptors for 81 points - the second-best output in NBA history - on January 22, 2006.

In this one, however, he may have had some added motivation - from an unlikely source, Knicks super fan Spike Lee.

"On a lighter note, I gotta go review this documentary I'm doing with Spike Lee after the game," Bryant said. "I didn't feel like sitting next to him and hearing him talk trash about the Knicks. So, that was added incentive as well."