Kobe Surpasses Shaq For Fifth On Scoring List

Michael Jordan passed the torch to Kobe Bryant.  
Kobe might just carry that torch to the
top of the NBA's scoring list.

Following a 90-95 loss to the 76ers, in which Kobe Bryant put up 28 points, Kobe passed Shaquille O'Neal for 5th on the NBA's all time scoring list with 28,061.  Here's the scary part about it, Kobe is not cashed.  He can still put up 40 points in a given night.  He is still the league's best closer.  He can still hang with Derrick Rose and LeBron James.  He can still go out there and win at least one more title.  He could pass Kareem.

Kobe Bryant is only 33.

Now history aside, Shaquille O'Neal used this as an opportunity to ask Kobe how his ass tastes personally congratulate Bryant.  After the game, Shaq told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith,  "I want to personally congratulate Kobe on being the greatest Laker ever.  His accomplishment is great and well deserved, and I'm really proud of him.  He told me when he was 18 years old that he'd go down as the greatest Laker ever, and one of the greatest players of all time.  And he wasn't lying."

For Kobe's thoughts on his achievement and O'Neal's comments, watch his interview with Stephen A. Smith below.

Kobe Bryant SportsCenter (TM) Interview with Stephen A. Smith (02/06/2012)

Now people are coming around to the fact that Kobe Bryant is this generation's Michael Jordan.  He is not as great as Jordan and will never be, but at the end of the day, his resume might be just as great.

But for now, Kobe needs to play out the string of his career and then his case will be open to the court of public opinion.  Congrats to Kobe Bryant, the best player in the NBA of the 2000's.  One of the best players this game has ever seen.