Little Porter: Someday I will surpass Adebayo's 83-point record to pay tribute to Kobe

On March 26 Beijing time, Milwaukee Bucks player Kevin Porter Jr. stated in a recent live stream that he will one day break Adebayo's 83-point record as a tribute to Kobe.

“I want to score 80+ points. It's a tribute to Kobe and also to Bam (Adebayo), but I will surpass this record someday, honestly. Since Kobe's record has been broken, I have to surpass Bam, just to honor Kobe.”

Adebayo's single-game 83-point performance currently ranks second in NBA history for single-game scoring, behind Chamberlain's 100 points, and surpasses the iconic 81 points set by Kobe in 2006 representing the Los Angeles Lakers.

25-year-old Kevin Porter Jr. is in his sixth NBA season and his first full season with the Bucks, taking on a more significant role in the team's backcourt. This season, he has played 38 games, starting 36 of them, averaging 33.2 minutes per game, contributing 17.4 points, a career-high 7.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and a career-high 2.2 steals; shooting 46.5% from the field, 32.2% from three-point range, and 87.8% from the free-throw line (a career high).

Porter Jr.'s scoring talent was evident early in his career. His career-high score was set during the 2020-21 season while playing for the Houston Rockets: in late April 2021 against the Bucks, he scored 50 points with 11 assists and 5 rebounds. In that game, he played 41 minutes, shooting 16 out of 26 from the field, 9 out of 15 from three-point range, and 9 out of 11 from free throws.

Adebayo's performance sparked widespread discussion across the league about scoring milestones and record pursuits, with players and commentators sharing views on the context of this historic game. But for Porter Jr., his focus remains on competition and upholding the standard set by Kobe.

The Bucks continue to struggle this season, entering the final stretch with a record of 29 wins and 42 losses, placing them 11th in the Eastern Conference. Despite the team's poor performance, Porter Jr.'s individual play remains a bright spot for the Bucks looking toward the future.