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LeBron James

LeBron James explains how he knew Kobe Bryant would score 81

LeBron James wears Kobe Bryant jersey
Jan 31, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James shoots during pregame warmups before playing the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. James along with the rest of the Lakers team wore jerseys with the number 8 or 24 to honor Kobe Bryant who died in a helicopter crash January 26, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

LeBron James has made many claims in the past that have had fans either scratching their heads or laughing out loud.

Related: Kawhi Leonard reportedly didn’t join Lakers because he didn’t want to play with LeBron James

One famous claim that LeBron has made was how he “knew” Kobe Bryant would score 81 points in 2006. LeBron recently spoke about this claim and the backlash he received on 360 with Speedy.

“Every time I say something, everybody thinks it’s a lie,” LeBron said. “I got homies that were at the house with me when Kobe was dropping 81. When he got 60, I’m watching the game like ‘Oh sh*t, he might go for 80 tonight.’

“I got homies that were in my room, I lived in a house in Ohio at the time, and we sat in a small room watching the game, and I was like ‘Oh sh*t Kobe is going for 80 tonight.’”

(Starts 9:15)

Did LeBron really predict that Kobe would score 80? Or is LeBron boosting his ego by claiming this story is true?

About the Author Published Sep 19, 2025

TITAN FREY

Titan Frey is a dedicated father to three wonderful children, whom he takes immense pride in. His passions include reading, writing, basketball, both playing and watching, and playing chess. Titan spent five years working as a journalist for the basketball website fadeawayworld.net, where he served as editor-in-chief for four and a half years. One of his most notable achievements was interviewing Chuck Cooper III, the son of Chuck Cooper, the first African American ever drafted by an NBA team, and writing a biography that has been praised as the most definitive article about Cooper’s legacy. Titan is the author of more than ten novels and the screenwriter of three produced short films. His newest young adult novel, Echoes of the Hardwood: Braxton Foxworthy’s Time‑Travelling Book Report, blends basketball history with heartfelt storytelling and is now available. Order here: https://a.co/d/bo7BYz1

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