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Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > Kobe Bryant Was The Inspiration Behind Devin Booker’s 70-Point Game
Lakers News

Kobe Bryant Was The Inspiration Behind Devin Booker’s 70-Point Game

Corey Hansford
Published: 03/25/2017
2 Min Read
Kobe Bryant, Devin Booker, Lakers
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Not long before the Los Angeles Lakers took the court to face the Minnesota Timberwolves, the NBA world was buzzing thanks to an outstanding performance in Boston. Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker became just the sixth player in NBA history to score 70 points in a single game.

Booker put on a truly memorable performance as he shot 21-40 from the field, 4-11 from three-point range, and 24-26 from the free throw line while adding eight rebounds, six assists, and three steals. The last person to reach this mark of course, was Booker’s idol and Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.

In fact, it was Bryant who inspired Booker’s performance as after the game Booker mentioned an interview from Kobe that sticks with him to this day (via Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe):

“I’ve seen an interview with Kobe where he said what separated him from a lot of people was that he thought everyone thought 30 points was a lot. He said he never set himself with a limit, and that always sticks in my head. He said he’d score 100 if he could, so he never had a limit, I don’t put a limit on anything.”

The performance caught the eye of everyone in the basketball world, including Bryant himself, who shouted Booker out on Twitter:

#BookEm #70

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) March 25, 2017

Booker’s performance was truly a special one, especially considering his age. At only 20 years old he is easily the youngest player to ever reach that mark. The fact that Booker has taken so much from Kobe shows how influential he was.

Booker joins Kobe, Wilt Chamberlain, David Robinson, Elgin Baylor, and David Thompson as the only players to reach the 70-point mark.

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TAGGED:Devin BookerKobe BryantPhoenix Suns
ByCorey Hansford
Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.
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