The day when Kobe scored 81 points, McGrady, Iverson and Ray Allen also scored high points

June 16, the NBA in the 2005-2006 season was an era of brilliant stars, and January 22, 2006 was forever recorded in basketball history. Under the lights of Staples Center Arena in Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant performed one of the greatest solo performances in modern basketball history - 81 points in a single game. But what is little known is that on the same day, several other super scorers in the league also broke out. McGrady, Iverson, and Ray Allen each scored high scores, showing the world the ultimate art of the shooting guard of that era to the world as if the gods returned to their positions.

**First quarter: The lone hero of the Purple and Gold Legion**

The Lakers were in a low period at the time. After O'Neal went east to Miami, Kobe took over the team alone. Before the game against the Raptors, the Lakers' record was only 21 wins and 19 losses, while the Raptors were a weak team with 14 wins and 26 losses. No one expected that this game would become the pinnacle of Kobe's career. The

game showed abnormality from the beginning. Kobe scored 14 points in the first quarter, but the Raptors took the lead with Mike James and Chris Bosh's performance. At the end of the half, Kobe had already scored 26 points, but the Lakers were still 14 points behind 49:63. The third quarter became a turning point. Kobe scored 27 points in a single quarter, and he could easily get all kinds of difficult jump shots, breakthrough layups, and three-point long shots. The Raptors tried various defensive strategies - double-teaming, joint defense, and even box-and-one (four-man joint defense and one-man marking) to no avail. In the fourth quarter, Kobe scored another 28 points, and finally made 28 of 46 shots, 7 of 13 three-pointers, 18 of 20 free throws, scoring 81 points, leading the Lakers to complete a shocking reversal of 122:104.

"It felt like playing a video game," said Ke after the game, "The rim looked as wide as the sea. "Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said helplessly: "We tried everything to defend, but he just could shoot those goals."

**Second: Philadelphia Answers' 40+ performance**

The same night, at the Vachovia Center Arena in Philadelphia, "Answer " Allen Iverson was leading the Sixers against the Timberwolves. Although the team finally lost 107:112, Iverson made 17 of 32 shots in the game, made 10 of 11 free throws, scoring 45 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists in a comprehensive data. Iverson averaged 33 points that season, one of the craziest scoring performances after Jordan. His signature crossover and never-give up spirit echo Kobe's 81 points, and together interprets the ultimate charm of a small shooting guard of that era.

**3: Magic's 62-second miracle**

At the Orlando Amway Center, Tracy McGrady missed most of the seasons due to injury, but on this day he faced the Celtics and found his peak form. McGrady made 16 of 29 shots in the game, 4 of 8 three-pointers and 9 of 10 free throws, efficiently scoring 45 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. The most memorable thing is that in the last 62 seconds of the game, McGrady scored 13 points in a row, almost reversing the game with her own strength. Although the Magic finally lost 109:111, McGrady's explosive scoring once again allowed fans to see the magic of "35 seconds 13".

**February 4: Supersonic shooter's precise strike**

In the Seattle Key Arena, Ray Allen is leading the Supersonics to the Suns. One of the greatest scorers in history made 13 of 23 shots, 6 of 11 three-pointers, 8 of 8 free throws, and contributed 40 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. In that era when defense was emphasized, Ray Allen showed another possibility for a shooting guard with his textbook shooting posture and super high basketball IQ - not requiring too much dribble, relying on off-ball running and precise shooting can also dominate the game.

**Historical background and significance of the times**

This day is special not only because the four super scorers exploded at the same time, but also because it concentratedly showed the blooming of NBA shooting guards in that era. In the first decade after Jordan retired, the league urgently needed new idols, and Kobe, Iverson, McGrady, and Ray Allen each interpreted the ultimate possibility of shooting guards in different styles:

- Kobe inherited Jordan's comprehensive skills and carried forward the art of backward jump shots and defense;

-Iverson redefined the possibility of a small player with lightning speed and rebellious spirit;

-McDy's talent, and his jump shots are picturesque;

-Ray Allen represents the peak of traditional shooters.

2005-06 season was also the first season after the NBA rules were changed. In order to improve the viewing of the game, the league strictly prohibits hand-checking (to touch the ball holder with your hands), which gives outside players unprecedented room for breakthroughs. The high-scoring performances of the four stars are also to some extent the direct product of this rule change.

**Data comparison and historical status**

Let us use data to quantify how extraordinary this day is:

|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This collective outbreak is extremely rare in NBA history.

**Post-match impact and historical evaluation**

Kobe's 81 points second only to Chamberlain's 100 points, becoming the highest single-game score in modern basketball. David Stern, then-NBA president, commented: "This is a miracle moment for basketball. "