Normally when discussing Kobe Bryant against the Phoenix Suns, points are the lead topic, and rightfully so. Bryant scored 36 of them on Friday night in the Los Angeles Lakers' 111-99 victory over the Suns at Staples Center, the third consecutive performance of 35 points or more for Kobe against Phoenix. But Kobe made news on the glass Friday night as well.
Bryant had nine rebounds against the Suns, giving him 6,005 boards in his career. Kobe became the ninth guard in NBA history to amass at least 6,000 rebounds:
| Most All-Time Rebounds, NBA Guards | ||
| Rank | Player | Rebounds |
| 1 | Jason Kidd | 8,305 |
| 2 | Oscar Robertson | 7,804 |
| 3 | Scottie Pippen | 7,494 |
| 4 | Chet Walker | 7,314 |
| 5 | Clyde Drexler | 6,677 |
| 6 | Michael Jordan | 6,672 |
| 7 | Magic Johnson | 6,559 |
| 8 | Paul Arizin | 6,129 |
| 9 | Kobe Bryant |
6,005 |
It should be noted that while the Elias Sports Bureau says Kobe is the ninth guard (including players listed as guard-forward or forward-guard as well) to achieve the milestone, Basketball-Refence.com also includes Dominique Wilkins (7,169 rebounds) as a forward-guard, but it appears he was not included on the Elias list.
Bryant is 85 rebounds shy of Shaquille O`Neal for fifth place on the all-time Lakers franchise leaderboard.
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