Shaq? Duncan? Kobe Bryant Lists Top 5 Opponents

Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant sits on the bench watching game action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015.

Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers talked about the Olympics, the All-Star Game and picked his top 5 players he’s ever faced on a conference call. For the first time all season, the Rockets held the lead from start to finish.

Bryant said, “It was a reward for all the hours I spent from training, working and stretching. But I try not to worry about it and just play my game”. I think the most important thing and the most attractive thing is how does your legacy impact the generation of players to come?

“I lick my chops for whoever comes in”, Durant said on not being able to face Bryant.

Randle’s lay-up pulled the Lakers to 76-81 less than three minutes into the fourth quarter, but an 11-0 run gave Houston a 92-76 lead. He had just 17 career minutes before tonight.

Whether Bryant was referring to the top players he’s played against, or the top players of his era, Durant makes the cut.

Inhibited by injuries in recent seasons, Bryant is now suffering with a sore right shoulder, and his performances have not been up the standard his fans have grown accustomed to during his stellar career.

Minnesota Timberwolves coach Sam Mitchell had to catch himself on more than one occasion during games this season with a youthful team.

“Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players in the history of our game”, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said.

Irving will make his season debut this afternoon against the Philadelphia 76ers, returning to the court for the first time since suffering a broken left kneecap in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Thunder: The Thunder will play the Lakers in Los Angeles on Wednesday, two days after facing the Los Angeles Clippers on the road…. Brown also posted only four points on 2-of-9 shooting and collected four fouls.

Even during his late-career struggles with the foundering Lakers, Bryant’s fans have remained devoted to the 6-foot-6 star who won titles alongside Shaquille O’Neal in 2000, 2001 and 2002 before teaming with Pau Gasol for two more in 2009 and 2010. It’s hard to hold it against him when he has played in the league for 20 years.

“I would have loved to have played overseas but it’s not going to happen”.

In other National Basketball Association games Saturday night, John Wall had 27 points and 12 assists, Garrett Temple scored a career-high 21 points and the Washington Wizards beat the Charlotte Hornets 109-101.