Wilt Chamblerain’s 100-point game was once widely regarded as the most unbreakable record in the NBA.
But Damian Lillard says it’s only a matter of time before a modern-day player surpasses that ridiculous scoring number. Speaking on ‘The Old Man & The Three,’ the Blazers star revealed why he believes that he (and his NBA colleague Stephen Curry) are capable of dropping triple-figures in a game.
“I am not sure we will see it but it’s definitely possible, I was on the fence about it until that game because I had 71 in regulation. If that would have been a double overtime game or like I was 13/24 from 3 and I had 6 rattle in and out. I could have made more six more 3s, thats 18 pts, I had 3 layups that got blocked at the rim. I had a couple of shots at the end of the game where like I was just tired, I kinda shot ’em lazy. I didn’t shoot the full shot. When I really thought about I was like Steph Curry could definitely score 100 points. I could score 100 points.” (start at 27:50)
This season has included a wild offensive explosion that saw not only Dame drop 70+, but also Donovan Mitchell earlier in the season. Now, more than ever, scoring has become so easy for players, and the talent is at a level we’ve never seen before in the NBA.
If Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, and Devin Booker can all get to 70, who is to say someone can’t get to 80, 90, or even 100 in the right circumstances? Apparently, Kobe Bryant was on the verge of doing just that before being benched by Phil Jackson during his 81-point masterpiece.
Phil Jackson Didn’t Allow Kobe Bryant To Break Wilt’s Record
Kobe’s 81-point game stands as the second-highest scoring performance in a single game, and it’s pretty crazy to see how he got there with jump shots, acrobatic layups, and plenty of free throws.
According to many witnesses, Bryant was hot enough that day to possibly break the infamous scoring record… until then-Lakers coach Phil Jackson benched him down the stretch.
“I didn’t agree with something Phil Jackson said to me,” said John Salley. “I said, ‘Phil, Kobe had 81. No matter what you do, he was about to get 104.’ They would’ve kept feeding him the ball. The other side would’ve been like, ‘Don’t hurt him.’ But, there would’ve been clearouts, and Kobe would’ve got 104. He goes, ‘Well, some records need to stand.’ And I was like, ‘Wow.’ He goes, ‘He’s No. 2. He doesn’t need to be No. 1.’”
We will never know how much Bryant could have dropped with some more run-time that game, but putting up 81 is still something to be proud of.
Looking ahead, it seems like only a matter of time before one of the game’s great offensive players gets too hot and has another legitimate chance to hit the triple-figure mark.
But until then, Wilt’s record stands as a looming reminder of his unprecedented dominance.
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