Here’s another epic duel presented by the GD Factory and starring Monta Ellis. Last week, we featured Ellis’ epic duel with Kevin Durant in 2012. In that game, KD scored 33 and hit a game-winner to ruin Monta’s career-high 48.
This game took place a year earlier, with Monta scoring 38 and once again having his night ruined by another superstar taking over in the fourth quarter. That superstar was Kobe Bryant, who scored 17 of his 39 in the final 5:49 to help rally his team and beat the Warriors 115-110.
“He always has that look. Nine times out of 10, he’s successful,” Artest said of Bryant. “Actually, it’s like 9.5 times out of 10, he’s successful.”
After the loss, an exhausted Ellis had this to say about his match-up with Kobe:
“Just two players trying to get a win. I’ve known for the last three years I’m going to guard him. It was a great test for us. We gave it our all.”
Kobe’s response:
“It don’t matter who’s on me. When it’s go time, it’s go time,” Bryant said. “You have the responsibility to come through for your team and make the right play. Tonight, I did that.”
MONTA’S TOP 3 PLAYERS
Back in 2010, Yahoo asked Monta for his list of the top players in the league. It wasn’t a surprise to see who he picked at No. 2 or 1.
LEBRON (3RD)
“He can do it all, pass, score, defend, block shots.
HIMSELF (2ND)
“No. 2, I would have to say, me. I can do a whole lot of things: defend, score, make passes, do whatever I need to do.”
KOBE (1ST)
“No. 1, I’d say Kobe Bryant. There isn’t one player that can stop Kobe one-on-one. He has a lot of stuff. He can defend. And of course, he won four championships.”
SOME OF MONTA’S BEST GAMES IN GOLDEN STATE
- 48 PTS (18/29 FG)
- 46 PTS (18/24 FG)
- 46 PTS (17/23 FG)
- 42 PTS, 9 AST, 9 REB
- 39 PTS, 11 AST (7/9 3PT)
- 37 PTS, 13 AST, 7 REB
- 27 PTS, 17 AST, 5 STL
- 26 PTS, 11 AST, 7 STL