Photo Credit: Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

Former NBA Coach Suggests Klay Thompson Has The Potential To Score 81 Points Like Kobe Bryant

Yesterday was the anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s legendary 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors. His 81 points still are the second most points in NBA history, next to Wilt Chamberlain’s 100. 

Despite the increasing pace, three-point shots and scoring in general, nobody has been able to break Bryant’s record 15 years later. The closest player was Devin Booker in 2017 with 70 points against the Boston Celtics.

During an episode of ESPN’s The Jump, former NBA coach David Fizdale and retired player Matt Barnes now discussed which players could emulate the same feat as Kobe Bryant. As popular names like James Harden and Kevin Durant were thrown around, Fizdale said Klay Thompson is the sleeper to match Kobe’s 81.

“But you know, the interesting name in that group which people sleep on is Klay because he gets it done… he had the ball for a minute and 40 seconds.”