On the heels of Kobe Bryant’s tragic passing, Bryant-related sports cards and memorabilia have proven a hot commodity. That white-hot demand should prove true for an item that recently hit the auction block and is directly tied to one of Black Mamba’s most memorable achievements.
Goldin Auctions is featuring a signed copy of the official official scorer’s report from the January 22, 2006 game when Bryant turned in the second highest scoring game in NBA history. His 81 points in a 122-104 victory over the Toronto Raptors at The Staples Center generated international headlines.
The report is on a standard 8×10 white sheet of paper and was typically printed on-site immediately after the game. The printed box scores are routinely handed out to coaches, team members and media covering the game, but aren’t distributed to the public.
Bryant later signed the report in blue ballpoint pen. Beckett Authentication has given its stamp of approval for the signature. According to Goldin Auctions, the signature was obtained by a “source close to the team.”
All of the proceeds will be donated to the MambaOnThree Fund, started by Vanessa Bryant to help families of the seven other victims of the helicopter crash that took the lives of her husband and daughter.
Not only does the official box score tell a tale of one of Bryant’s most memorable performances in his storied career, but it’s also a piece of NBA and Lakers history. Wilt Chamberlain holds the record for most points scored with 100 during a 1962 game played in Hershey, PA. However, Chamberlain reached the century mark during a different, far less competitive, era of the NBA.
Many consider Bryant’s performance to be the most dominant in the modern era of the NBA. The scoring report tells the story, too. Bryant finished 28-for-46 from the field including 7-for-13 from behind the long line. He cashed in on 18 of his 20 free throw attempts.
Bryant’s flurry also set a new record for most points in a game by a Laker and set a franchise record for most points and field goals made in a half.
Bryant’s fellow starters for that night included Kwame Brown, Lamar Odom, Chris Mihm and Smush Parker — not exactly a loaded squad.
Bidding opened at $1,000 and will continue through Feb. 23.
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