Bryant had another monster season in 2008-09, however, and it was highlighted by a record-breaking performance on the NBA's most famous stage -- Madison Square Garden.

On Feb. 2, Bryant scored 61 points to lead the Lakers to a 126-117 victory over the Knicks. In the process, he broke Bernard King's record for single-game scoring in the new Garden. King scored 60 points in 1984.

"It's a blessing to do what you love to do and have moments like this," Bryant said after the game.

A sold-out crowd started the game booing Bryant, but by the time he broke King's record with 2:33 remaining, even the Knicks fans were chanting, "M-V-P, M-V-P."

Among those in attendance was filmmaker Spike Lee, who is working on a project with Bryant and was going to meet him after the game.

"I didn't feel like sitting next to him and hearing him talking trash about the Knicks," Bryant joked. "So that was added incentive [to do] well."

Playing for the first time without center Andrew Bynum, who injured his knee two nights earlier against Memphis and wouldn't play again until April, Bryant was unstoppable from the opening tip.

He scored 18 points in the first quarter and had 34 by halftime.

"He wouldn't speak to anyone on the court," New York's David Lee said. "He was very quiet. By the time he hit his first two threes, you could see what he was attempting to do. ...

"It was very obvious by the middle of the first quarter that he wasn't in a distributing-type of mode or in a get-10-rebounds mode. He was going to try and score the Basketball tonight."

luhm@sltrib.com Highlight reel

In addition to a Madison Square Garden-record 61 points on Feb. 2, the Lakers' Kobe Bryant had a few other shining moments in the 2008-09 season:

Oct. 28 ? Bryant finishes with 23 points, 11 rebounds and five assists as the Lakers open the regular season with a 96-76 win over Portland.

Nov. 28 ? Bryant has his first 30-point game of the season. He scores 35 on 14-for-26 shooting to lead the Lakers to a 114-107 win over Dallas.

Dec. 25 ? On Christmas Day against the reigning champion Boston Celtics, Bryant scores 27 points in 43 minutes during a 92-83 victory.

Jan. 2 ? Against the Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena, Bryant scores 40 points and grabs seven rebounds to spark the Lakers to a 113-100 win.

Jan. 16 ? In a rare home loss, Bryant produces his first triple-double of the season: 28 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists against Orlando.

Jan. 19 ? On the heels of his triple-double, Bryant scores 20 points and hands out 12 assists as the Lakers defeat LeBron James and the Cavs, 105-88.

Jan. 21 ? Bryant practically clinches Western Conference Player of the Month honors with an 18-point, 10-rebound, 12-assist triple-double against the Clippers.

Feb. 8 ? Despite battling a case of the flu, Bryant scores 19 points and the Lakers complete a 6-0 road trip with a 101-91 victory at Cleveland.

Feb. 22 ? In the West's 146-119 win at the All-Star Game, Bryant scores 27 points and shares MVP honors with ex-teammate Shaquille O'Neal.

April 10 ? Bryant scores 32 points in a 106-98 loss at Portland, passing Charles Barkley for 17th place on the NBA's all-time scoring list.