Some personalities keep the entertainment running in the sports world. One such person is Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson. During an appearance on “Nightcap With Unc and Ocho,” former NFL wide receiver Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson brazenly claimed that he had beaten NBA superstar LeBron James in a 1-on-1 match while James was playing for the Miami Heat in 2010.
Ochocinco: “When LeBron [James] was with the Heat, we played 1v1 at the YMCA… I beat him 21-17.”
Shannon Sharpe: “I can tell by the way you look that you can’t shoot no hoops!”
Ocho: “I caught him off the dribble, and he fell!” 😅
(via @ClubShayShay)pic.twitter.com/uQQIgojksG
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 10, 2023
“I got a real good story about LeBron too when he was with the Heat,” Johnson said. “We played 1-on-1 at the YMCA, we played to 21, I beat him 21-17”. Shannon Sharpe, the co-host, refused to believe any of it, but Ochocinco persisted and was adamant in his statement.
Sharpe even inquired as to whether they were playing NBA 2K and whether that was the setting for the one-on-one match. Johnson, though, stated that he had defeated LeBron James on the court.
“I caught him off the dribble, and he fell,” he justified to Sharpe. Now, as bizarre and unlikely as it may sound, it might actually be true. Ochocinco insists that he is not capping, and if you ask any of his friends, they will all confirm the same thing about their encounters with the former two-time All-Pro receiver. For all the athletic prowess Ochocinco possessed, James was potentially at the height of his skills and the NBA’s best player when he was representing the Heat.
Chad Ochocinco also claims to have beaten Damian Lillard in a 1v1
Ochocinco may be at the top of the list when it comes to outrageous and absurd claims. Johnson also asserted that he has beaten several NBA stars one-on-one in addition to LeBron. He dined at an IHOP in Portland in the year 2021 and left a hefty $1,000 tip. He also wrote that he defeated Damian Lillard at the YMCA right towards the end of the bill.
Proverbs 11:25 💫 (Dame Time edition) pic.twitter.com/Vonwl6YQUs
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) July 2, 2021
“I beat Damian Lillard in 1 on 1, years ago in the YMCA,” the former NFL star claimed. Yes, Damian Lillard was mentioned, and he claimed to have beaten the newest Milwaukee Bucks player in a game a few years back. There is currently no official video evidence of Johnson schooling Lillard in a one-on-one match. It is up to the fans if they want to trust him with this one.
In addition to his electrifying play during his NFL career and his well-reported connection with reality star Evelyn Lozada, Chad Ochocinco is one of sports’ most fascinating personalities. His career as a riveting podcaster and a member of the sports media has further increased his appeal.
