Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold.

Let us Lakers fans rejoice!

Last night Kobe Bryant recorded the second-highest single-game scoring mark in NBA history in a 122-104 win over Toronto at LA's Staples Center. Bryant made 28 of his 46 field goal attempts, including 7-of-13 from downtown and hit 18-of-20 from the line. He scored 55 points in the second half, just four points shy of Wilt Chamberlain's record for points in a half.

I was impressed when he hung 62 on the Little Mavericks a few weeks back in just three periods, but 81 is quite historic. To put it into perspective, Michael Jordan never got 70 in a single game.

Kobe is one of only 5 players to score 70 or more points in one game.
Wilt Chamberlain (100, 73, 73, 72, 70)
Kobe Bryant (81)
David Thompson (73)
Elgin Baylor (71)
David Robinson (71)

Who knows ... Kobe may have some of his best basketball still ahead of him at age 27. Comparatively, Jordan had yet to win a single title at age 27, while Kobe already has three championships. If his team gets on track, he just might go down in history as one of the truly greats.