Kobe Bryant was that rare opponent.
When his team was in town, you bought a ticket to watch. It wasn't about the game. It wasn't about the guys you called your own. It was about Kobe, greatness in the flesh.
Over his 20-year career, Bryant played 20 games in Detroit, including three in the 2004 Finals. His first was forgettable: one point in seven minutes as a rookie. His last was anticlimactic: five points in 26 minutes on his farewell tour. But in between, Kobe delivered some vintage performances at The Palace.
WATCH: Pistons, Cavs Honor Kobe With In-Game Tributes
After his tragic passing on Sunday, let's revisit his top five.
March 15, 2001
Entering the fourth quarter, Bryant had 15 points and the Lakers trailed by 11. He finished with 39 in a 125-119 overtime win. Jerry Stackhouse dumped in 46 for the Pistons, while shooting just 13-30 from the field.
Game Score (per basketball-reference): 29.2
January 29, 2006
Bryant started hot and had 25 points by halftime. He finished with 39 again, this time in a 102-93 loss. Detroit's famous starting five of Billups, Hamilton, Wallace, Wallace and Prince combined for 87 points to push the team's record to 37-5.
Game Score: 24.1
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January 31, 2008
Bryant scored -- you guessed it -- 39 points, including 26 in the second half, and grabbed 10 boards. But it wasn't enough in a 90-89 loss. Tayshaun Prince hit the go-ahead three with 4.5 seconds to go, and Lamar Odom missed a potential game-winner at the buzzer.
Game Score: 24.1
March 26, 2009
Only 30 points this time for Bryant, but also eight rebounds and seven assists in maybe his most complete effort at The Palace. The Lakers cruised past Detroit 92-77 on their way to their fourth championship of the Kobe era.
Game Score: 28.9
November 17, 2010
In his final 30-point game in Detroit, Bryant dumped in 24 in the first half and had his feet up by the fourth quarter. He finished with 33 in the Lakers' 103-90 win.
Game Score: 27.9
