Kobe Bryant headlines my “Daily Flashback” for December 23rd by becoming the youngest player ever to hit the 20,000 point mark on 12/23/2007. Michael Jordan is also featured with his scintillating 57 point performance against the Bullets on 12/23/92. Vince Carter and Allen Iverson both topped the 50 point mark in 2005 in separate outstanding performances on this date in NBA history as well.
We’ll also look back at Magic Johnson setting a career-high point total on this date against the Kings in 1986 and Dana Barros beginning his NBA-record three-pointer streak in 1994.
Welcome back to my daily column where I look back at the current day in NBA history and choose five games or incidents that occurred on that day and deliver video and box scores for you to view at your leisure.
Reminisce away!
If you wish to view previous editions of my “Daily Flashback” please scroll down to the end of this column.
To view the box-score and video clip (if available) just click on the bold text directing you to that link.
Enjoy!
(NOTE: photos to the left of each headliner do not necessarily represent the specific game or incident mentioned)
December 23, 1992 - Jordan pours in 57 against Washington
Jordan scored what would represent the eighth-best total of his legendary career (playoffs included) on blistering 22-37 shooting.
He also drilled 6-8 threes and added ten assists and three steals as well.
The Bullets were paced in scoring by Harvey Grant and in rebounding by rookie Tom Gugliotta with sixteen.
December 23, 2005 - Vince Carter and Allen Iverson record 50 points
**WATCH VIDEO OF CARTER’S PERFORMANCE HERE **
Both Carter and Iverson went bananas on this night with Vince pouring in 51 in a win over the Heat and Iverson recording 53 in a loss to the Hawks.
Carter also set an NBA record with sixteen free-throw makes in a quarter. SIXTEEN!
Also on this evening former Clippers all-star Elton Brand registered 38 points and 20 rebounds in Los Angeles’ win over the Bobcats.
December 23, 1986 - Magic scores career-high 46 points against Sacramento
VIEW A 1986 CLIP OF MAGIC VS. 76ERS HERE
Magic set a career-high in points that remained for the rest of his career against the Kings and added ten rebounds and nine assists while playing all 48 minutes.
The Kings were paced by Reggie Theus who scored 20 points and added a team-high twelve assists.
December 23, 2007 - Kobe Bryant becomes youngest to score 20,000 points
WATCH KOBE BREAK THE RECORD HERE
Kobe became the youngest ever to top 20,000 points at 29 years, 122 days by pouring in 39 against the Knicks.
He also added eleven rebounds and eight assists.
December 23, 1994 - Dana Barros begins NBA-record streak of three-pointers made
WATCH DANA BARROS IN THE 1995 NBA ALL-STAR GAME HERE
It might be hard to believe for those who didn’t watch him in his prime but Barros was a rising star in the mid-1990s and was named an NBA All-Star in 1995. He averaged 20.6 points and 7.5 assists for Philadelphia before moving to Boston in the offseason.
He was also voted Most Improved Player that year.
Speaking of Boston, that’s where Barros’ streak of long-range bombs began. He made at least one three-pointer in 89 consecutive games beginning on 12/23/94 and ending on 1/10/96.
PREVIOUS FLASHBACKS
DECEMBER 22, 2010: Bill Russell makes NBA debut - CLICK HERE
DECEMBER 21, 2010: Jordan and Pippen torch the Hawks - CLICK HERE
Until next time…