Kobe Bryant Names Top 5 Players He Faced: Jordan, Hakeem, LeBron, Durant and Drexler

In a conference call Monday with 146 reporters from 24 countries and territories, Kobe Bryant was asked to name the top-five players and teams he’s hooped against during his illustrious 20-year career.

The Black Mamba also dismissed the possibility of heading overseas once his NBA days come to an end next April.

Kobe says he’s not sweating whether or not he’ll play in the All-Star Game.

Per the LA Times:

Kobe Bryant revealed the top five players he faced in his career, and at least one came as a surprise. […] The players were: Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, LeBron James and … Clyde Drexler?

 

Bryant acknowledged it was difficult to narrow down the list. […] “I came in the league when there were still so many great players playing — John Stockton was still playing, Clyde Drexler was still playing, Gary Payton, Anfernee Hardaway,” he said on a conference call Monday set up by the NBA with international reporters. “Top five players is a little tough for me.”

 

If he’s not voted into the (All-Star) game by fans, he said he was “completely fine with that because I’ve had an amazing run.” […] Bryant is listed as a “frontcourt” player on the ballot, unlike past years when he was a guard.