Los Angeles Lakers governor Jeanie Buss revisited a fan-favorite moment between Kobe Bryant and Jalen Rose on Thursday, the 20th anniversary of Bryant’s 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors.
A social-media user reposted the 2017 comedy sketch from ESPN’s “Jalen vs. Everybody,” in which Bryant jokingly orders a martini with 81 olives while Rose, who guarded him during the historic contest, looks on in disbelief. Buss replied on January 23, 2026: “Miss him everyday. Love this clip. #81.”
The backstory
• Bryant scored 81 points on January 22, 2006, leading the Lakers to a 122-104 win at the then-Staples Center. The total remains the second-highest single-game mark in NBA history, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point performance in 1962.
• Rose was one of several Raptors defenders that night, joining Morris Peterson and Joey Graham in trying to slow the guard’s barrage.
• The pair’s history also includes the 2000 NBA Finals, when Rose, then with the Indiana Pacers, was involved in a play that injured Bryant’s ankle.
Why the clip resonates
The sketch offered a rare light-hearted glimpse of Bryant, typically known for his intense demeanor. Fans embraced the playful exchange, and Buss noted that she still treasures the video nearly a decade after it was filmed.
Buss addresses LeBron report
Separate from the anniversary post, Buss recently issued a statement responding to a report that suggested her relationship with current Lakers star LeBron James had cooled. Details of that statement were not included in Thursday’s social-media exchange.
The 81-point anniversary and the enduring popularity of the “81 olives” sketch underscore Bryant’s lasting impact on the Lakers organization and its governor.
Source: Lakers Nation
