Ever since their domination of the league during the 2000s, basketball fans everywhere have dreamed of a hypothetical scenario where Kobe Bryant and LeBron James would meet in the NBA Finals.
To the dismay of many, such a legendary matchup will never come to fruition. However, there were plenty of opportunities along the way for one to take place.
From 2005-13, both superstars advanced to the playoffs each year. James, however, could not lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to an NBA Finals appearance when Bryant propelled the Lakers to three consecutive from 2008-10.
James then departed for the Miami Heat in 2010 and advanced to four straight NBA Finals while Bryant and the Lakers suffered multiple early playoff exits during the start of the decade.