Kobe Bryant passes Michael Jordan on all-time scoring list

"Moments like this come around and you're really overjoyed by it. At the same time, you know that the end is pretty near. ... It took a minute to adjust but it felt pretty good to be appreciated," Kobe Bryant told reporters.

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With Bryant's 26 points Sunday, his grand total sits at 32,310, still behind Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the all-time scoring list.

Bryant's return to NBA stardom after missing a majority of last season was a story we were excited to follow this year, but this season has been difficult for the 36-year-old.

Coming into Sunday's game, Bryant led the league, by sizable margins, in both field goals attempted (514) and field goals missed (315). Yet he's still among the league leaders in points per game, averaging 25.4.

Bryant is well aware of the perception that he’s become a chucker. Here's how he responded in November when asked if he feels pressured to get the team going:

"I just try to keep us in the game, man. I'd rather not have to do that, but you just can't sit back and watch crime happen right in front of you," Bryant said via Lakers Nation.

It's also no secret the 2014 Lakers aren't the best team Bryant's been a part of. They're essentially circling the drain in the Western Conference at just 8-16, which is nearly identical the winning percentage they had at the end of last season.

Bryant will need put up more than 4,600 points in the remainder of his career to pass Karl Malone on the all-time points list which, of course, won't happen this season. So if he wants to keep climbing the list, the career Laker would likely need to stick around for at least a couple more seasons.

This video includes images from Getty Images.