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Ranking Kobe Bryant’s top 10 games against the Detroit Pistons

By Riley Nisbet

AUBURN HILLS, MI - MARCH 6: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers removes his protective mask during a game against the Detroit Pistons on March 6, 2012 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. 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 2012 NBAE (Photo by J. Dennis/Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - MARCH 6: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers removes his protective mask during a game against the Detroit Pistons on March 6, 2012 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. 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 2012 NBAE (Photo by J. Dennis/Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Kobe Bryant
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

10. January 18, 1997

Kobe’s rookie season began relatively slow for the eventual Rookie of the Year winner, especially by today’s standards. By the time the Los Angeles Lakers met the Detroit Pistons for the second time in the 1996-97 season, Kobe was only averaging 6.1 points per game, on a modest 4.9 attempts per game.

In his first game against the Pistons, Kobe only managed one point.

This low-scoring line was representative of the early part of Kobe’s rookie year. Through 30 games, Bryant had only scored in double figures seven times, and only scored more than 20 points once (a 21-point outing on Jan. 3 against the Sacramento Kings).

During his second match-up with the Pistons that year, however, Kobe would tie that then-career high 8-of-13 shooting, including 3-for-5 from 3.

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Granted, this game went to double overtime — a 100-97 win for the Pistons — but Kobe’s 21 points in 32 minutes played is a respectable ratio, especially for an 18-year old finding his legs in the NBA after being drafted straight out of high school.

More impressively, Kobe would lead the Lakers in scoring despite coming off the bench.

Although this game is mildly impressive numbers-wise, it stands out as a turning point for Bryant’s rookie season campaign. He would go on to score double figures in four out the Lakers next six games, before eventually landing a season-high 24 points and helping the Lakers to a playoff series win over Portland.

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