Wilt vs. Kobe: Bigger Accomplishment?

Kobe Bryant's recent 81-point outburst against the Toronto Raptors brought up comparisons to Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point milestone against the New York Knicks back in 1962. Bryant's feat at the Staples Center in Los Angeles was the closest that anyone has come to the century mark. But which one was the bigger accomplishment?

Chamberlain scored the previously unthinkable amount against a weak Knicks team in Hershey, Pennsylvania. This was in the pre-"SportsCenter" days. There is no video footage, just a radio broadcast that survives. Everyone knows the famous photograph of Wilt in his Philadelphia Warriors uniform holding up a hand-made sign that simply stated "100."

This was also accomplished in the days before there was a three-point shot. People may argue that Chamberlain would not have had many attempts from that range. But it still was an advantage that Bryant had. He was able to spread the defense because he can score by driving and hitting an outside jump shot. For the most part, Chamberlain was a post-up center. The Knicks knew what was coming and still couldn't stop it.

There is also the difference of 19 points. That is a big amount and the comparisons shouldn't even start until a player ties or eclipses the 100 mark. If it were a single-digit amount, that may be close enough to begin a debate. But not at that number.

There is also something about the old records that have a mystique to them. Using baseball as an example, there is Babe Ruth's home run mark, Hack Wilson's RBI total, and Joe DiMaggio's hitting streak. These are nationally-known records, regardless if they are broken or remain intact. Chamberlain's 100 points is the standard for all NBA records.

Kobe Bryant is a tremendous player and will be a Hall of Famer when he retires. He has the championships as well as the individual accomplishments. He is arguably the best player in the game right now. But Wilt Chamberlain played in a different era and was so dominant for years. In addition to playing with the Warriors, he was a perennial all-star with the Los Angeles Lakers. Following George Mikan, Wilt was the measuring stick for all centers in the sport. That should not be forgotten.

People also chided Kobe Bryant for being a ball hog in scoring that many points. But the truth is that he is by far the Lakers' best option and head coach Phil Jackson calls his number frequently. He has the ability to score at will. Kobe and his team would be doing themselves a disservice by not giving him the ball with the intention of scoring.

Both players had historic games and should be credited with such. If a modern day player has the opportunity to reach 100 points in a game, it very well could be Bryant. But until that happens, Wilt Chamberlain's record is the mark we have to use.