4 Feb 2009: Lebron James - 52 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds W 107-102

The first player since Abdul-Jabbar in 1975 to have a triple-double in a 50-point game

Jordan is the only other visiting player to twice score 50 at Madison Square Garden, with a high of 55 that was the opponent record before Bryant broke it

Video of LeBron's 50 trip-dub

(click for high quality version)

2 Feb 2009: Kobe Bryant - 61 points, 3 assists, 0 rebounds W 126-117

Highest point score ever at Madison Square Garden

Video of Kobe's 61

(click for high quality version)


Q. Which was the better performance?

I'm inclined to say LeBron topped Kobe on this one. The all-round nature of his game trumps Kobe's scoring. Getting a triple double whilst scoring that many points is A LOT of work.

61 Points was impressive, I must admit.

But... Daaaamn! Triple Double Delight at smidge less points? LBJ FTW!

I'd have to quote one of the world's foremost experts on NBA play, Paris Hilton: "That's Hot!"

P.S. please add my site to your Bloguin Roll. Thanks!

Kobe's waaaaaay better than LBJ.

LBJ: hahahahahahaahHAHAAHAHAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

@ sits: Laker fans......we'll never stop your undying Kobe love!

@ Erik: Now fixed! Oh yeah, and PointsInThePaint, "that's hot!!"

I agree with you, Mookie. LBJ's performance was the better once 'cause of its all-round, stat-stuffin' nature.

I still think Kobe is currently the more dangerous player overall, though. (Hope I didn't hijack this thread. )

Triple-doubles are nothing. Anyone can get them these days. Just because LBJ got one isn't something to celebrate.

The whole "awesomeness" of the triple double is that it implies that the player is focused on achieving other things on the court other than scoring alone.

Anyone can score... at least against the D'Antoni Knicks.

So 'smitch and sits, it sounds like you're saying you'd prefer to have Kobe on your team over Lebron?

That's a whole other debate all over again...

See, I'm with PointsInThePaint on the fact that the triple double is a pretty hard thing to achieve -- and to combine it with 50+... well, that's LeBron territory (and Kareem apparently).

LeBron got 11 other possessions involved in the game through his assists and potentially more through rebounds. To me, I'd have LeBron on my team over Kobe for that reason.

Kobe is still a helluva player though... can't argue against that!

I don't think it's even a debate. Clearly, the answer is LeBron, hand's down. I mean, the Trip Dub shows his versatility and ability to get everyone on the team involved, as well as do things like end possessions (via rebounds.) Kobe had ZERO rebounds. All he did was shoot shoot shooooot.

Kobe eats.

A very good question Mookie.

Lets look at the stats:

Kobe
61 points (19-31), 3 assists, 0 rebounds, 1 block in 36 mins

LBJ
52 points (17-33), 11 assists, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks in 44 mins.

Both teams won their respective games.

Now for the sake of argument, i'm answering this based on just this one game, not prior performances at MSG.

Kobe's 61 points is mighty impressive, esp given he played less minutes that Lebron, and also took less shots. However, based on the rest of the stats it's clear that he was only after one thing, and that was scoring.

On the other hang, getting a triple double away, and at msg is quite a feat... but to score 55 points, its just crazy. Who was the last person to score > 50 pts and get a trip doub?

So to answer this question, Lebron wins this one easily (and i'm a Lakers fan) both in real life and as a fantasy line.

On a side note, what were Jordan's stats in his best game at MSG? Would be worth comparing.

My next question. If you were the 4th quarter of nba finals, who would you rather have on your team in the clutch, Kobe or Lebron. I would go with Kobe.

College Wolf wrote:
Kobe eats.

Firstly, College Wolf - you made me laugh out loud!

Boofheads, I have to agree with you that LeBron's performance on the whole was the more impressive one. Just the overall effect of those 11 assists and 10 rebounds (some say 9 apparently) and what they did for his team mean so much. It's damn hard enough to get a triple double, let alone add 50+ on the night. Good to see a non-one-eyed Lakers fan!!

Now, Ethanator on Ballhype also tried to compare LBJ's 52-11-10 to Kobe's 81 point game. That is a tough one. On that point, I think I'd possibly give the nod to Kobe, given that I think someone will get another 50-10-10 before someone gets another 81pt game. But I could be wrong...It's also worth noting that LeBron did this one at MSG, the self-proclaimed Greatest Arena in the World!

On your Jordan question Boofheads...Jordan's best performances at MSG are as follows:

28/3/95: 55 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists

1/11/86: 50 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks

19/4/88: 47 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals

So I think we'd have to agree that none of those really stack up to LeBron's effort...

mookie wrote:
College Wolf wrote:
Kobe eats.

Firstly, College Wolf - you made me laugh out loud!

Boofheads, I have to agree with you that LeBron's performance on the whole was the more impressive one. Just the overall effect of those 11 assists and 10 rebounds (some say 9 apparently) and what they did for his team mean so much. It's damn hard enough to get a triple double, let alone add 50+ on the night. Good to see a non-one-eyed Lakers fan!!

Now, Ethanator on Ballhype also tried to compare LBJ's 52-11-10 to Kobe's 81 point game. That is a tough one. On that point, I think I'd possibly give the nod to Kobe, given that I think someone will get another 50-10-10 before someone gets another 81pt game. But I could be wrong...It's also worth noting that LeBron did this one at MSG, the self-proclaimed Greatest Arena in the World!

On your Jordan question Boofheads...Jordan's best performances at MSG are as follows:

28/3/95: 55 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists

1/11/86: 50 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks

19/4/88: 47 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals

So I think we'd have to agree that none of those really stack up to LeBron's effort...

College Wolf wrote:
Kobe eats.

If I'm looking from a fantasy perspective: Lebron's performace much better Kobe's.

But I think Kobe's performance is more memorable because he did it first. It's the highest point total in MSG, that's pretty impressive.

My vote Kobe.

I'm with Romes. Kobe did it first, broke the scoring record, and therefore had the better performance.