Watch: Kobe Bryant passes childhood idol Michael Jordan on the NBA all-time scoring list, 7 years ago on this day

Kobe Bryant overtook Michael Jordan for third place on the all-time NBA scoring list on December 14, 2014. [Photo: Bleacher Report]

On this day seven years ago, the late Kobe Bryant surpassed his idol Michael Jordan on the NBA's all-time scoring list. Heading into a road game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the LA Lakers legend needed only nine points to accomplish the feat. Bryant achieved the monumental moment after hitting two free throws in the second quarter.

Basketball fans and NBA analysts were betting on the event coming early in the first quarter, given how Kobe Bryant’s competitiveness was similar to Michael Jordan’s. However, after only making one of his first five shots, the inevitable was moved to the second quarter. Bryant surpassed Jordan for third on the all-time scoring list with 5:24 in the second quarter and the Lakers leading the Timberwolves 38-32.

7 years ago today, Kobe Bryant passed his childhood idol, Michael Jordan, on the all-time scoring list 💜💛
https://t.co/p0yxXWVMw7

The opposing Minnesota crowd gave the ultra-talented Kobe Bryant a standing ovation. Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor presented the legend with the game ball. As a student of the game, the feat that was accomplished held a special meaning to both the Lakers and Bryant. Before moving to Tinseltown in 1960, the only franchise Bryant ever played for was called the Minneapolis Lakers.

Bryant finished with 26 points in a 100-94 win.

Surpassing Jordan on that list was also sweet for Bryant for another reason. His boyhood idol had six championships to his five, which makes the all-time scoring record a bit of gamesmanship on his mentor.

When Bryant overtook Jordan on the all-time scoring ladder, he was still behind two former Lakers greats. malone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-is-sponsored="false">Karl Malone (who spent 18 of his 19 seasons with the Utah Jazz) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were comfortably ahead of him on the list. Bryant’s late-career injuries doomed whatever chances he had of catching Malone.

After 20 seasons with the LA Lakers, Bryant retired with 33,643 points. Malone is second at 36,928 and Abdul-Jabbar leads at 38,387. Another current Laker and future Hall of Famer, LeBron James, is giving a serious chase to Abdul-Jabbar's top spot.

LeBron James surpasses Kobe Bryant for third on the all-time scoring list

LeBron James eventually surpassed Kobe Bryant on the all-time list last season against the Philadelphia 76ers. [Photo: Bleacher Report]

In his second year wearing Purple and Gold, LeBron James moved past Bryant on the scoring list. The event happened in Philadelphia, Bryant’s hometown, against the 76ers in the third quarter. The City of Brotherly also gave James his props with a long standing ovation.

Philadelphia won the game 108-91 on Jan. 25, 2020, despite James' 29 points.

LeBron James gets to the bucket to move up to 3rd on the all-time scoring list! https://t.co/almofNRKrg

Bryant, in one of his last known interactions, tweeted his congratulations to James.

Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother 💪🏾 #33644

James and Kobe will be intertwined in a very painful way as following James’ historic accomplishment the revered Bryant died in a helicopter crash the next morning.

James, nearing age 37 in his 19th season, is third on the career scoring list at 35,787. Bryant retired in 2016 and is now fourth on the list. Jordan, who played 15 seasons before retiring for the second time in 2003, finished with 32,292, good for fifth on the list.