Most NBA fans know about the two players with the highest points scored in a single game: Kobe Bryant’s 81 points and Wilt Chamberlain’s 100. Both records seemed pretty unbeatable. There have been players that have gotten close, such as Luka Doncic’s 73 points or Damian Lillard’s 71, but even these prolific scorers couldn’t reach Kobe’s record. It seemed like Kobe’s historic 81-point night was cemented as the all-time best scoring game from a modern player, until last week when Bam Adebayo scored 83 points.

That’s right — Bam Adebayo scored 83 points. You can say it as many times as you want and it will still sound strange. No one thought beating Kobe’s record was impossible, but the last person who you would expect it from is the Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo. Although he is a three-time all-star, Adebayo is better known for his defense, not his scoring. He’s only reached more than 20 points in a single game twice in his NBA career, and currently, he is only hovering around 20 due to his average increasing by 0.3 after scoring 83.

So, how did this happen? Most fans and NBA analysts, who are often more jaded at unexpected player success than appreciative, have quickly taken to social media and talk shows to discredit the historic performance. Many have said that all he did was foul-bait to go to the line, and while it is true that he shot over 40 free throws, there’s a lot more to the story than his stat line. 

First off, Adebayo scored 30 points in the first quarter without taking more than three free throws. That’s no easy feat, and it put him fifth on the all-time points-in-a-quarter-rankings. He also only had 12 free throws by halftime, meaning 75% of his free throws came in the second half of the game. The game was against the Washington Wizards, who have a pretty abysmal defensive rating. If you rewatch the game yourself, it’s clear that the Wizards are over-defending Bam; at some points, they have three people on him from half-court. It’s no wonder he had so many free throws in the second half; the Wizards had resorted to fouling him since no other defensive tactic was working.

It seems hard to discount an 83 point game. Forgive my use of the phrase, “if it’s so easy, why don’t you do it?” but it does relevantly apply to most of the NBA players who are criticizing Adebayo about his performance. Players like Kelly Oubre Jr. have spoken on the game as if it’s something they can do at will, but choose not to since it’s not “ethical basketball.” Luckily, many legends have come to Adebayo’s defense, including Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter and Dwayne Wade. Shaquille O’ Neal, usually a negative voice in the community, came forward saying that Adebayo’s 83 points is inspiring and gives the next generation of basketball fans something to aspire to.

Adebayo’s 83 points was indeed unconventional and unexpected, but the criticism he has received is excessive. Unfortunately, the modern NBA has taken a naysaying approach to new stars and historic performances. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is constantly under accusations of being a free-throw merchant despite being an all-time great scorer. Luka Doncic is slandered for weak defense even though he is number one in points scored vs. points let up. LeBron James is still criticized over every action he takes despite being 40 and already having the best career of all time. Even if Adebayo scored 103 points and did it without free throws and did it against the best team in the league, the NBA news circuit would still find a way to ridicule his performance. Hopefully, the historic performance will be remembered for Adebayo’s success, and not for his criticism.