PistonPowered
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 11
Next
Kobe Bryant
(Photo by Kent Horner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

8. Feb 27, 2003

It seems wrong to place a 30-point performance this low on the list. It seems even more bizarre in a spot higher than a 39-point performance. However, Kobe made the 30-point performance casual, and this game is the first time against the Detroit Pistons that one of Kobe went off on one of casual 30-point performances..

Kobe would finish with exactly 30 points in a 95-85 win. While he shot an average 10 of 22 from the field, Kobe routinely found his way to the line and finished the game with a respectable 9 of 10 shooting from the stripe. He would also quietly finish with three steals to only one turnover.

bad boy identity. How the Pistons came to represent the city of Detroit. light

Why this game stands out compared to others is because it is indicative of ways that made Kobe such a respectable, threatening scorer throughout his career. Kobe’s 30-point performances came at at time when offensive production was slower than today’s game, meaning a team’s scoring total would routinely be below the 100-point mark.

Kobe’s point totals, then, became a huge percentage of his team’s offensive production. If a team could not slow down Kobe, then that team was in trouble.

This is one of the first games against the Pistons where Kobe’s percentage-of-offense stands out.

However, this is nowhere near his greatest performance based on percentage of points, especially considering match-ups against the Goin’-to-Work Pistons — known for their relentless defense — is right around the corner.

Home/Pistons History