It was just a matter of when, not if.
On Sunday night, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant passed NBA legend Michael Jordan on the league’s career scoring list.
Bryant needed nine points in LA’s game in Minnesota to pass MJ, and did it with a free throw in the second quarter. That gave Bryant 32,293 points. Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387 points) and Karl Malone (36,928 points) have scored more points.
With his 9th point Sunday, Kobe Bryant passes Michael Jordan for 3rd on the NBA all-time scoring list. Bryant 32,293; Jordan 32,292
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 15, 2014Premium content for only $0.99
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Standing ovation for the Black Mamba in Minnesota. Kobe Bryant receives the game ball.
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 15, 2014Here is the moment, from Steff Easy’s Vine:
Video of Kobe’s moment. http://t.co/B3XAKOjU3K
— Dynamics • £ (@theDYNAMICS) December 15, 2014Laker fans, let's tip our hats to the Timberwolves fans for giving Kobe a great standing ovation!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) December 15, 2014Jordan released a statement:
Michael Jordan statement on Kobe Bryant: pic.twitter.com/5kWDGe4osc
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) December 15, 2014Naturally, people had fun on Twitter with the news, while others simply tipped their hats:
Kobe Bryant after that free throw.... http://t.co/QBgbKxceKG https://t.co/IFIQng55Ev
— Pretty Bisshhh (@DaddyDineroTM) December 15, 2014As one of the toughest players passes the best player in scoring, I'm putting on gloves to wash dishes. #Kobe pic.twitter.com/ipdH1bk3Sa
— Tas Melas (@TasMelas) December 15, 2014The free throws might have been anticlimactic, but the fact he broke it in midst of 11 straight pts for LA was perfect. He's Kobe. He scores
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 15, 2014Kobe's next goal: hit above .202 in Double-A.
— SportsPickle (@sportspickle) December 15, 2014Since Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant is the greatest player I've watched. We've been so fortunate to watch him play for 19 years and counting.
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) December 15, 2014Everyone just stop hating on Kobe for a few seconds of your lives and appreciate greatness
— Regan Mew (@PresidentRegan) December 15, 2014Bryant had 26 points and the Lakers won 100-94.
To reach Pete Grathoff, call 816-234-4330 or send email to pgrathoff@kcstar.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/pgrathoff
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