At least he was efficient, shooting 60% from the field. He knocked down seven three's and eighteen free throws, so obviously his stroke was working for him. (He's a career 45% FG and 33% from 3-point range, by the way.) He took 46 shots, was playing the lowly Raptors, and it wasn't a blow-out (he probably would've done this against the Mavs earlier this year if the game were closer.) Also, offensive numbers are way up for the league in general. I guess those rule changes are kicking in.
Bryant's game is basically going one on one, shooting a lot of difficult shots, and taking a lot of shots. So even if he misses those difficult shots, he shoots so much that he's bound to score a lot anyway. And if he makes those difficult shots, well, you have last night. He's an okay shooter who can get very hot, very athletic, and a well-paid and popular black ball hog, so it's no mystery how he scores so much.
I grudgingly give him credit for being able to play the streetball, one-on-one game at a high level. Regardless of what one feels about how the game is officiated, and how poorly the game is played today, he does a great job of exploiting those things. Basketball is a team game, and if I was an owner or GM, I'd much rather have players like Steve Nash and Manu Ginobili on my roster than Bryant. But in a one-on-one tournament, Bryant may be the best in the world.
There aren't that many types of white athletes who could singlehandedly make a huge dent in the Caste System; right now we have a lot of excellent athletes making tiny holes in the Caste System, and hopefully the dam will burst eventually. But, hypothetically, I think there are a few types of white athletes who could make a huge hole, not just a tiny one. In no particular order:
1) a male 100m sprinter who either goes sub-10 and/or wins a Gold or Silver medal in the Olympics
2) a prolific white NFL RB or WR (multiple 1000+ yard seasons)
3) a shooting guard in the mold of Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady
That's about it, as far as I can tell.
Edited by: JD074
