Fittingly, this season dedicated to Kobe Bryant’s farewell — the Lakers having nothing better to do with it — includes the 10-year anniversary of his signature achievement.
Bryant was at the mid-point of his career, in the 10th of his 20 seasons, the night in 2006 when he had his 81-point night second only to Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 in NBA history.
Ironically, it came as Kobe entered the darkest part of his career, which only he could have gotten himself into and out of.
Then he was shunned by peers. Now he’s revered as an icon.