Kobe Bryant’s 81 or Carmelo Anthony’s 33?

Each week, HoopsVibe the Blog drops a player comparison for fans to weigh in on. We call it head-to-head ... 

Occasionally, basketball fans witness history. Goose bumps overtake their body because they know the player, team, or teams they’re watching are dropping a special, record-breaking performance.

For me, I love when a player hits his offensive zone. You know what I mean –an individual gets so hot from the floor he believes the basket is bigger than Oprah and Dr. Phil. All shots, no matter how improbable, go in.

Two players have gotten down like the combined weight of our favourite talk show divas. In late January 2006, Los Angeles’ Kobe Bryant scorched Toronto for 81 points, while recently Denver’s Carmelo Anthony tallied 33 points in a single quarter versus Minnesota.

In this edition of head-to-head, HoopsVibe The Blog wants to know which scoring spree is most impressive: Black Mamba’s 81 total points or Melo’s 33 in a 12 minute frame? As always, read both arguments, watch both video clips, and drop an opinion in the comment box below.

The case for Bryant’s 81 points …

• It was the second-highest scoring outburst of all time.
• Wilt Chamberin, a seven-footer, set the all-time mark against smaller players and less sophisticated athletes.
• Bryant went off despite the Raptors using man-to-man, box-in-one, zone, denial, and several other elaborate defensive systems.
• Phil Jackson, a veteran NBA player, Hall of Fame coach, and bench boss for the Lakers and Bulls’ dynasties, commented, "That was something to behold. It was another level. I’ve seen some remarkable games, but I’ve never seen one like that before."

The case for Anthony’s 33 points in a quarter …

• He matched a thirty-year old record set by George ‘Ice Man’ Gervin.
• In the past, Anthony has been called selfish. The Nuggets, however, needed his scoring to beat a hungry T-Wolf side.
• Chauncey Billups, a world champion and All-Star, had this to say: “I’ve played against some great ones and played with some great ones. That’s the best I’ve ever seen in a 12-minute span.”
  

Our Call: Bryant gets the slight nod; 81 points is ridiculous. However, I believe Anthony has evolved and matured. On Wednesday, he provided a necessary lift with his 33-point outburst and then unselfishly followed the team concept for the rest of the night.

Bryant’s 81 or Anthony’s 33? Which scoring outburst is most impressive? Get at us in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of gg99.