60-Point Game Against Kobe Bryant Was Insignificant to Ex-Rival Who Posed a Bigger Threat in 2007

Former Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas is one of the few players who has found success against Kobe Bryant. And if we speak about one of the best games of Arenas’ career, it was his 60-point outburst against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 17, 2006, where he delivered a game-winning performance to win a thrilling OT game against Kobe Bryant.

Many would agree that this was the 3x All-Star’s best performance against Bryant, but Arenas does not think so. He has another game on his mind, which he revealed in his recent interview with VLAD TV. A 60-point game and a win against Kobe Bryant. That would be a dream for many, but Arenas is choosing his 37-point game against Bryant, where the Wizards lost to the Black Mamba. That’s odd, isn’t it?

But the 39-year-old has a justification for that. He shared, “You can get the best of someone anytime. It’s just the luck of the night for you, and I had to go on that night when I scored 60…As a competitor, it’s like anything. He said he’s going to shut me down; I’m not gonna score 20, he’s going to lock me up, they’re going to game plan for me.“

This individual attention from Kobe Bryant meant more to Arenas than a 60-point game. He continued, “That game is the biggest threat. I’m on his radar. He’s in kill mode. He’s how Drake and J Cole is right now“, referring to viral beef between the two rap icons.

On February 4, 2007, the Wizards lost the game 118-102 to the Lakers. Kobe Bryant, as always, was the anchor for the Lakers, who dropped 39 points to get revenge on Arenas. However, what mattered to Arenas was that he did not fear the Black Mamba. 

How did Kobe Bryant’s iconic moment with Michael Jordan help Gilbert Arenas?

Even after Bryant told him he would lock up Arenas, the former point guard went on to take 29 shots, out of which he converted 9 of them. He also got 37 points, so the highlight here is that Bryant’s words did not scare Arenas. Who do you think the Wizards guard learned this from?

None other than the 5x Lakers champion. Remember when Bryant was asked not to look into Jordan’s eyes?  The Lakers legend was advised by one of his teammates not to look Jordan in the eyes. But that is exactly what Bryant did.

He shared in an interview, “Why the hell would I not look him in the eye? I don’t think my teammate understood that. I’m that too. Can’t f****** look me in the eye either, buddy!” Arenas referred to this incident to prove that he did not fear Bryant. Is this what you call giving someone the taste of their own medicine? Probably!