Kobe's 81 can't be downplayed at all, because that came in a game where the Lakers were getting absolutely demolished. When you're getting totally demolished and Kobe fights to bring you back in it the way he did with an 81 point performance, that needs to be respect. That demands respect.
With that said, this Knicks team is good. They are [dang] good. I know when I'm watching a good team when I see one, and this Knicks team is good. This is most definitely a win that the Celtics be proud of. Rondo can be proud of what he did in this game. Everybody on the Celtics that made a positive contribution can be happy.