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Bryant and Chamberlain have already been linked through their penchant for points in the past, as Bryant broke Chamberlain's Pennsylvania high school scoring record by finishing with 2,883 points to Chamberlain's 2,252. Bryant's 81-point game on Jan. 22, 2006 also happens to be the second-highest single scoring game in league history, trailing only Chamberlain's 100 scored on March 2, 1962. "It's a lot of points. It's a lot of points," Bryant said, looking back on Chamberlain's feat as the 50th anniversary of The Big Dipper's historic game approaches next month. "I think it was just one of those nights for both of us where there was really no explanation for it. You just kind of get into one of those zones and one of those moments and things happen. ... I was doing mine on jump shots, though. I didn't have to bang with too many guys down low. I was just catching and shooting." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain 

While it took more than 40 years for another player to score 80 points or more after Chamberlain scored 100, Bryant said his and Chamberlain's scoring totals are achievable. "I believe so," Bryant said when asked if any player would ever join him and Chamberlain with a matching single-game scoring outburst. "One day it will happen." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain 

No charges will be filed against Bryant over an alleged incident in August at a church in San Diego, the city attorney's office announced. A young man had alleged that Bryant assaulted him while both were attending Sunday services at St. Therese of Carmel Church in the upscale Carmel Valley neighborhood. The accuser said that Bryant aggressively pulled on his arm because the Lakers star thought the man had taken his picture. Thomas Hagos, 20, later went to a hospital because of a minor wrist sprain, police said. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Law 

After the incident, Bryant denied that he had hurt the man. "Mr. Bryant is aware of the baseless allegations asserted against him," said a statement issued by attorney Mark Campbell, "and is prepared to defend against them fully." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Law 

"I'm always frustrated," Bryant admitted when asked how long it would take before frustration set in. "I'm frustrated when we lose one game. But I believe we obviously tried to improve our team. They tried to make a move (for now-Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul), and it fell through. I'm sure they're working on other things as well. I'm not going to get bent out of shape, or hoot and holler, or lose my temper or whatever. I believe we're all on the same page, we know what we want to do. We know what the goal is." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Kobe Bryant 

Bryant also expressed confidence in the Lakers' roster as currently constructed, even while acknowledging the team's small margin for error. "We're going through a little tough patch right now, but we'll be all right," he said. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Kobe Bryant 

To some, it was regrettable that personality clashes may have prevented an even longer run as a dominant 1-2 punch. But as far as Bryant is concerned, that was never in the cards from day one. "There's no way we would have lasted (15 years). Absolutely not," Bryant told Colin Cowherd during a Tuesday appearance on "The Herd" on ESPN Radio. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal 

Bryant also recalled the moment when he truly realized the two could co-exist for only so long. "There was an interview that I heard Shaq do which he kind of threw down the challenge of me not being able to win without him," recalled Bryant. "After I read that, I said, 'Aw, that's it.' Some comparison that he made with me and Penny Hardaway, and once I read that, I said, 'You know what? I can't finish my career with people saying that. There's no way.' " ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal 

But despite their often acrimonious history, Bryant said he looks back warmly on his time playing with the future Hall of Fame center. "I absolutely do, because what we achieved was remarkable," he said, "especially considering that we weren't a natural pair. We're just not. We were able to make it work and figured out how to go about doing it and dominate games and things like that, but it wasn't a natural mix." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal 

Arash Markazi: Kobe Bryant: "I'm not going jump ship to go chase a 6th ring. It's going to happen here or it's not going to happen." Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant 

Arash Markazi: Kobe Bryant on how much longer he'll play: "You think I'll hang around and average 19 points or 18 points? Hell no." Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant 

Kobe Bryant said Monday he believes the Lakers have the makings of a championship contender. A trade isn't necessary to transform them from ordinary to something special if they play to or above their potential the rest of the way. "We can (contend)," Bryant said. "We have to play very solid, near-perfect basketball, particularly with our second unit, which we have in the past. We're capable of contending. Our margin is just not as great as some of the other teams." Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Kobe Bryant 

An Internet report last week asserted Kobe Bryant presented a sales pitch for the Purple and Gold to Dwight Howard, who was so turned off by Bryant’s effort it curdled the Lakers’ chances of signing Howard long-term should they be able to acquire him this season from the Magic. Scooter the Recruiter’s proposition: Come here and be the third offensive option behind me and Pau Gasol and be our “Tyson Chandler.” Supposedly, Kobe also made it clear Los Angeles would be Howard’s, “but only once he [Bryant] decided he was done playing.”All that was missing was, “Hurry, offer ends at midnight tonight.” None of what the author claimed came out of Kobe’s mouth sounded like it’d been transmitted from his cerebrum. New York Post

Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Trade, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard 

So, I decided to eliminate the middle man, pass the savings on to the consumer and go right to the source — only one of two that actually exist — and ask the horse. “Please separate truth from fiction for me re: Howard stuff,” I emailed Kobe several days ago. “As far as what? I have no clue what’s even being said. I have a lot to deal with as it is,” he replied. That was extremely revealing in itself. In other words, L.A.’s media, especially the Lakers’ beat writers, felt the story lacked such credibility, nobody even bothered to ask Kobe about it. New York Post

Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Trade, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard 

I sent Kobe the story and asked him to confirm, deny or both depending on the paragraph. “omg! I’m not getting mixed up in this kiddy drama spit, bro. too old for that spit,” Bryant responded via email. “How do you think I feel at my age having to chase down this stuff,” I answered. “I understand your position. But if it’s untrue, any of it, and allowed to circulate throughout the league, which already is happening, I would think you’d want to say it’s not.” “It’s not true,” Kobe responded. New York Post

Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Trade, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard 

Kobe Bryant got the 24 points he needed to pass Shaquille O'Neal and moved into fifth place on the NBA's all-time scoring list. He hardly missed during an electric first half that promised so much for the second. Then the Philadelphia 76ers put a roadblock in front of the Lakers' guard and he couldn't seem to make a thing. He scored only four points after halftime and the Lakers went kerplunk in the closing minutes Monday. After leading for most of the way and finding ways to beat the 76ers' double-teams against Bryant, the Lakers failed to close the deal and lost 95-90 in front of a sellout crowd of 20,064 at Wells Fargo Center. Bryant finished with 28 points on 10-for-26 shooting. He moved past Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal 

O'Neal and into fifth place with 28,597 points with a jump shot from 23 feet with 5:08 left in the first half. He has 28,601 points in his 16- season career. "To say it's a huge honor would be a huge understatement," he said. Bryant trails only Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a remarkable collection of players, on the all-time scoring list. Passing them is not the 33-year-old Bryant's ultimate goal, however. "It's a tremendous honor to be in that category," he said. "I just want No. 6, man," he quickly added, referring to a sixth NBA championship. "I'm not asking for too much, man. Just give me a sixth ring, damnit." Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal 

Shaquille O'Neal: Congrats to Kobe for being the greatest laker ever thanks for making us the greatest laker one two punch ever and congrats on passin me up 2 Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal 

Bryant laughed when someone wondered if he had seen a congratulatory message from O'Neal via Twitter after the game. He cracked, "You're asking me if I saw a tweet? I don't even know how that thing works." Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal 

Kevin Ding: Told by @Ken Berger about Shaq's nice Tweet, Kobe said: "I appreciate it. I'm sure Shaq and I will connect at some point and revisit history." Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal