Kobe Bryant and LeBron James
Kobe Bryant has five NBA championships in comparison to LeBron James' three. Pictured: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers match up during the first half at Staples Center on March 10, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. Harry How/Getty Images

KEY POINTS

  • Kobe Bryant and LeBron James never met in the NBA Finals
  • Bryant is a five-time NBA champion, while James is a four-time NBA champion
  • On March 10, 2016, both men faced each other for the last time 

Without a doubt, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James will go down as two of the greatest players to ever compete in the NBA.

Throughout his two-decade-long career, Bryant was a five-time NBA champion, a two-time Finals MVP, the 2008 NBA MVP, and an 18-time NBA All-Star.

James, meanwhile, continues to build his legacy in the NBA. Already in year 18, he is looking to add to his long list of accolades, which includes four NBA championships, four Finals MVP trophies, four NBA MVP nods, and 17 NBA All-Star selections.

Both men were essentially the intersection of two different eras in the NBA, and they were, at one point, two of the best players in the league.

As such, the two were at the marquee each time their respective teams went head-to-head. Each time, they would put on a show for the fans.

Bryant and James were perennial title contenders, but unfortunately, fate would never reward basketball fans with an NBA Finals matchup between the two generational talents.

In 2009, James and the Cleveland Cavaliers were a series away from potentially facing Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in the season finale, but Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic had other plans.

The Lakers went on to beat the Magic in five games for the first of back-to-back championships.

LeBron James and Kobe Bryant
LeBron James was openly welcomed by Lakers legend and old rival Kobe Bryant. In this picture, James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers jokes with Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 120-108 Cavaliers win at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on March 10, 2016. Harry How/Getty Images

On March 10th of 2016, Bryant and James would face off one final time.

In a late-season matchup between the Lakers and the Cavaliers, the two superstars were again at center stage.

Bryant, who was playing in his final season in the NBA, put up 26 points and five rebounds in 32 minutes of action. Meanwhile, LeBron, who was in his second stint with the Cavaliers, scored 24 markers, grabbed five boards, and dished out seven dimes.

The Cavaliers left Staples Center with a 120-108 victory over the Lakers.

In his final game that season, Bryant would go out like only he could, dropping 60 points in a comeback win over the Utah Jazz.

James, on the other hand, would capture his first championship in Cleveland, leading the Cavaliers back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Golden State Warriors in seven games.

In 2018, LeBron went on to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers and lead them back to the championship the following season.

In 2020, Bryant tragically passed away after being involved in a helicopter crash.

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