Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are two of the best players in the NBA, and they faced off for the last time Thursday night. Bryant has been out the past few games with shoulder soreness, but he returned to the court to give the fans one last showdown against James. While the Cleveland Cavaliers got the best of the Los Angeles Lakers 120-108, Bryant recognized the special moment.
Bryant and James have been battling for years for NBA MVPs and championships. They never had a Finals faceoff, but the two have been compared to one another for years. Bryant laughed off the idea that he and James have a rivalry with one another. He was clear to say any idea that the two players do not like each other came from the fans and the media trying to build something up.
"It's not a rivalry. To me, rivalries aren't made in the regular season," Bryant said. "I don't like anybody that much."
James told the media after the game that this was for the fans. Bryant might have been hurting, but he got to the court and contributed. James said that he made sure not to take the game off either. The Cavaliers and the Lakers are two different teams at the moment, and this could have been a bigger blowout than it was. While the Lakers are poised for a top draft pick, the Cavaliers have their eyes on a championship. However, Thursday night was all about James against Bryant, and the Cleveland star recognized the opportunity.
"I knew he wasn't taking this game off for sure and I knew I wasn't," James said. "For both of us, we are two sportsmanlike guys, we like the lights and we get up for the best moments. To give the fans a show in this one last opportunity is special."
Bryant and James are playing two different roles on their teams this year. Bryant is acting as a mentor to the Lakers' youth that will take over the team next year. James is trying to lead the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals for a second year in a row. James has received a lot of criticism from people saying that he is driving players apart more than bringing them together as rumors of a departure swirl. Bryant defended the leadership of James, saying that if there was a player that could bring the roster together, it was him.
"From the Cavs' perspective, it's hard for me to tell from afar who should be that person. LeBron's not that person. LeBron, he's a ... he brings people together. That's what he does naturally. He's phenomenal at it," Bryant said.
