via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 10: The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant looks to shoot past the Cavaliers’ LeBron James during their 120-108 loss to Cleveland at Staples Center Thursday night. ///ADDITIONAL INFO: lakers.0311.kjs — Photo by KEVIN SULLIVAN / Orange County Register — 3/10/16 The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Cleveland Cavaliers Staples Center Thursday night. 3/10/16 (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
via Getty
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 10: The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant looks to shoot past the Cavaliers’ LeBron James during their 120-108 loss to Cleveland at Staples Center Thursday night. ///ADDITIONAL INFO: lakers.0311.kjs — Photo by KEVIN SULLIVAN / Orange County Register — 3/10/16 The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Cleveland Cavaliers Staples Center Thursday night. 3/10/16 (Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
NBA fans often compare Los Angeles Lakers legends Kobe Bryant and LeBron James to each other. The superstar duo never played with each other as teammates on the same franchise. However, the pair teamed up for the U.S. Olympics basketball team quite a few times. Both players have established their legacies in the sport of basketball and share nine NBA championship titles between them.
Kobe Bryant and LeBron James have faced each other as talismans of their respective franchises. LeBron joined the Lakers in 2018, two years after Kobe’s retirement in 2016. Lakers fans still speculate over what they could have witnessed or achieved with a team up of two of the NBA’s greatest legends at the same time. LeBron, nevertheless, guided the Lakers to an NBA championship in the 2019-20 season.
Incredibly, LeBron and his Lakers teammate Carmelo Anthony can surpass a popular Kobe Bryant record. Both LeBron and Anthony have enjoyed longevity in their careers and are currently playing in their 19th NBA season. Kobe also spent 19 seasons in the NBA, dedicating his entire career to the Lakers.
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Coming into 2021-22, Kobe Bryant was the only player in NBA history to average more than 15 points per game in his 19th NBA season.
Carmelo Anthony, in his 19th season, is currently averaging 16.7 points.
Melo’s teammate, LeBron James (also in his 19th season) is averaging 23.8
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) November 1, 2021
Carmelo Anthony joined the Lakers in August 2021 with the Lakers’ front office continuing their strategy of building the team around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. LeBron surpassed Kobe in the NBA’s all-time scoring list a day before the latter’s unfortunate death in a helicopter crash.
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LeBron James’ Lakers sink the Houston Rockets
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets in their last game at Staples Center. Because of a dismal start to the season, the Lakers had a must-win game against the Rockets to prove their championship challenging credentials. The Lakers won their fourth game of the 2021-22 NBA season with Carmelo Anthony’s help off the bench.
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 31, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) drives to the basket past Houston Rockets center Daniel Theis (27) in the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Carmelo scored 23 points while another new signing, Russell Westbrook managed 20 points for the Lakers. Anthony Davis scored 16 points while LeBron James had an uncharacteristically silent game, scoring only 15 points. The Lakers contained the Rockets with a dominant defensive performance. Eric Gordon scored only 17 points for the Rockets as they punished themselves with 25 turnovers and 14 missed free throws. The Lakers eventually cruised to a 95-85 victory at home over the Rockets.
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