Kobe Bryant's 5 Most Underrated NBA Achievements

If someone was asked what some of Kobe Bryant’s most impressive achievements are, some popular responses would include his 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors in January of 2006, his 62 points through three quarters against the Dallas Mavericks in December of 2005, winning five championships or, my personal favorite, his streak of nine games of at least 40 points during the 2002-03 season.

But there are plenty more, underrated achievements that people don’t discuss, or aren’t aware of, that are just as impressive as the more popular ones.

Here are five underrated achievements from Kobe Bryant’s career.

5. Most Three-Pointers Made in One Game

In January of 2003, Kobe Bryant set an NBA record by making 12 three-pointers in one game, including nine in a row.

Bryant finished with 45 points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 119-98 win over the Seattle SuperSonics.

4. Most Free Throws Made in a Four-Game Playoff Series

During the Los Angeles Lakers’ sweep of the Sacramento Kings in the second round of the 2001 postseason, Kobe Bryant set an NBA record by making 51 free throws during the short four-game series.

3. Youngest Player to Be Named to the NBA All-Defensive Team

Following the 1999-2000 season, Kobe Bryant made his first All-Defensive First Team, becoming the youngest player in league history to be named to either of the league's All-Defensive teams.

2. Becoming One of Three Players to Reach 20,000 Points Before the Age of 30

In addition to surpassing Wilt Chamberlain as the youngest player to reach 20,000 points (29 years, 122 days), Kobe Bryant joined Chamberlain and Michael Jordan as the only players to reach 20,000 points before the age of 30.

1. 600 Points in Three Straight Postseasons

During the 2008, 2009 and 2010 postseasons, Kobe Bryant scored 633, 695 and 671 points, respectively.

Bryant became the only player in league history to score at least 600 points in three consecutive postseasons.

In 2009 and 2010, Kobe led the Lakers to back-to-back championships.