Photos: Top 5 players Kobe Bryant has ever faced

Chicago Bulls great Michael Jordan, left, guards Lakers star Kobe Bryant during the 1998 NBA All-Star game. (Mark Lennihan / Associated Press)

Dec. 21, 2015 3:38 PM PT

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James in January 2015.

(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal try to block the shot of Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon during a 1999 playoff game.

(Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant operates against the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant during a game at Staples Center on Jan. 11, 2013.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Rockets veteran Clyde Drexler, center, celebrates a win over the San Antonio Spurs to clinch the Western Conference Finals in 1995.

(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)