It only took nine points for Kobe Bryant to pass Michael Jordan on the NBA’s all-time scoring list Sunday night, but it was almost two decades of work in the league to get to this point.
With one point shy of Jordan, Bryant stepped the free-throw line for two shots that he made look easy as he has for the entirety of his career wearing the purple and gold.
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After the buzzer sounded for the last time on Sunday night at the Target Center, Bryant was asked how it felt to pass Jordan. Kobe said the following, via Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:
Kobe on passing MJ: "It's a huge honor its so much work to get to this point, it's unbelievable." (on @TWCSportsNet)
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) December 15, 2014
Along with setting arguably the most impressive individual milestone of his career, Bryant helped lead the Lakers to victory on Sunday scoring a team-high 26 points against the Timberwolves.
As a result of getting the best of Minnesota a historic night for Kobe, the Lakers have won three games in a row for the first time this season. Byron Scott’s squad will now get back on the road for the final game of this road trip against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night before heading back to the Staples Center.
Bryant won’t be greeted by his die-hard fans in Los Angeles until Friday when the Lakers host Kevin Durant’s Oklahoma City Thunder. The face of the franchise will likely be honored by the team on his home floor.
[divide]Kobe Bryant On Similarities & Differences With Michael Jordan