Are there seven most unmissable enemies in Kobe s career, McGrady is only ranked second?

Twenty years of Lakers' career, five championship trophys, Kobe Bryant's legendary road is paved together by the figures of one powerful opponent after another. His career is an epic competing with all kinds of powerful people. Today, let’s review the seven nemesis who have staged a peak showdown with Kobe.

01.Tim Duncan: The "ultimate enemy" of his career

Kobe once bluntly stated that Duncan was the biggest enemy of his career. "He asked me to win 4 or 5 less championships." Kobe's words are enough to show how much trouble Duncan and his Spurs have caused to the Lakers. The two almost overlapped their careers. In 2019, Duncan and Kobe, the two teamed up to win 10 championship trophys. From 1999 to 2003, the NBA championship was almost won by the Lakers and Spurs. In the 2003 Western Conference semi-finals, the Lakers lost to the Spurs 2-4 and missed the four consecutive championships. Although Kobe tried his best, the Lakers' inside core O'Neal was restricted by the Spurs, and the Spurs eventually won the championship that year.

02. Tracy McGrady: Kobe's personal "enemies of life"

When asked who is the most difficult player to deal with, Kobe listed Iverson, Arenas, Anthony and Durant, and finally said: "The only one who can truly call his enemy in his life is Tracy McGrady!" McGrady was the swaying man who was equal to Kobe at the beginning of the century, and was known as the "Nan Mai" among the "Four Scorebacks". Kobe even said that McGrady was his "most difficult opponent to deal with, a man who had no confidence to defeat one-on-one fight!" The duels between the two were always exciting. From the early Magic period to the battle between the Rockets and the Lakers, McGrady proved that his strength was not inferior to Kobe.

03. Shaquille O'Neal: The most familiar "stranger"

OK combination was once one of the main themes of the NBA in the first decade of the 21st century. They worked together to win three consecutive championships, but never became real friends. After O'Neal ran away from Los Angeles, he even used rap to sarcastically mocking Kobe in a nightclub in New York. After the 2010 finals, Kobe bluntly stated that he had more than O'Neal's championship. Both of these superstars are a little cautious about each other. After leaving the Lakers, O'Neal's team had a record of 11 wins and 7 losses against the Lakers, but Kobe averaged 35 points per game in these 18 games.

04. Paul Pierce: The old opponents in the finals

One always plays for the Celtics and the other is loyal to the Purple and Gold Army, which destined Kobe and Pierce to become a pair of old enemies. In the two finals, the two won the MVP trophy in the finals respectively. In the 2010 finals, the two sides decided to win and lose in seven games, and contributed a wonderful series to the fans. The showdown between Kobe and Pierce has always been quite eye-catching. Both of them are players with no blind spots on the offense and are also top-notch on the defensive end.

05. Allen Iverson: The competition between students in the same class

In 1996, Iverson was the No. 1 pick and Kobe was the 13th pick, which destined to compare their careers. In the 2001 Finals, the Lakers failed to win the playoffs with a clean sheet, and the only loss was the loss to the 76ers led by Iverson. As the No. 1 pick, Iverson won the Best Rookie, while Kobe surpassed step by step through his own efforts. Both of them are players with super scoring ability, especially the peak showdown in the 2001 finals has become a classic in the hearts of countless fans.

06. LeBron James: 03 Platinum Legend

Although the two never met directly in the finals, this did not prevent the fans from comparing them. Kobe and James completed the handover of the top NBA cards. Since 2007, James has been famous for competing with Kobe as the "No. 1 player in the league". In the 2008-09 season, all fans were looking forward to the 23 vs 24 showdown in the finals, but unfortunately, the Cavaliers were eliminated by the Magic, and this showdown failed to be staged as scheduled. In the All-Star Game, James showed his serious defense, which was also the best respect for the competitive Kobe.

07. Defensive experts: Bowen, Bale and Patterson, etc.

Kobe also faces a group of players who are famous for defending him in his career. Bruce Bowen once admitted that he had done something bad in the process of defending Kobe, but he also praised Kobe, saying that Kobe was the most difficult opponent in his life! Since Laga Bell used the "throat lock" against Kobe in the first round in 2006, he has become the "Komie No. 1 public enemy". But Kobe still highly praised Bale: "He is a tough and excellent defensive player." Ruben Patterson claims to be the "Bryant Terminator", but the result is "Bryant is blowing every time", and Patterson eventually becomes a joke in the league.

The true legend is not only forged by victory, but also defined by those worthy of respect. The reason why Kobe's career is so brilliant is because of the figures of these old enemies constantly pushing him forward. Duncan gave him 4 or 5 less championships, McGrady was his most difficult opponent, and Iverson began to compete with him since he entered the league... These names together constitute Kobe's legendary career.