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Kobe Bryant scored 81 points against Toronto in January 2006, making 28 of 46 shots on the way to the second-highest point total in NBA history, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point effort in 1962.

It's impossible to imagine it happening this season with such a deep Los Angeles Lakers team, and Coach Phil Jackson suggested it would be better if "81: The Sequel" never took place, going back to last season's NBA Finals to prove a point.

"We know that Boston literally said, 'We've got to take Kobe out, we just have to throw our defense at them,' " Jackson said. "We have to have more guys fit into our offense if we're going to be a team that can compete with those clubs."

Jackson was then asked whether Bryant was happy with his role this season, which has included fewer minutes and lower stats across the board. Jackson began to answer with something akin to "Well, it's a long season," before ribbing a reporter for a brief note in a story touching on the fact that Bryant needed 38 points against Toronto to become the youngest player ever to reach 22,000 points.

"That was like a carrot in front of a donkey, whoever did that," Jackson said with sarcasm. "It was stupid. That could really mess up the game for tonight."

Bryant scored 23 points Sunday against the Raptors, failing to beat Chamberlain to 22,000. Bryant was 30 years and 99 days old Sunday. Chamberlain was 30 years and 100 days when he hit 22,000 in 1966.

At any rate, Jackson said he hoped Bryant would continue to buy into a team-first principle.

Source: Los Angeles Times