What’s the best way to illustrate why Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James deserves to be proclaimed as the greatest “rivalry that never was” in NBA history? First, take a look at the embarrassment of riches the two superstars faced during their combined 13 (and counting) Finals appearances. Then, remember that James and Bryant never faced off during a single playoff game.
Bryant saw Reggie Miller, Allen Iverson, Dikembe Mutombo, Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups, Rasheed Wallace, Ben Wallace, Richard Hamilton, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard and others during his 5-2 Finals career.
James, meanwhile, has squared off against Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Robert Horry, Tony Parker, Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and others during his 2-4 Finals career (which may well add a seventh entry come June).