Bryant on Monday revealed the five toughest players he has faced in his career. The list (via ESPN’s Baxter Holmes) may surprise some.
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It included some obvious ones, like Michael Jordan and LeBron James. It also included 2013-14 NBA MVP Kevin Durant. The other two names on his list: Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler.
Both players are Hall of Famers, and they were on the list of the 50 greatest players in NBA history in 1997.
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Olajuwon’s selection is interesting because he played center while Bryant has spent most of his career at shooting guard. Then there’s Drexler — a member of the original Dream Team who was on the downside of his career when Bryant came into the league as a rookie in 1996.
Just as interesting as who was on the list was who was left off. Bryant did not mention former 76ers guard Allen Iverson, the top pick in his draft class and 2001 NBA MVP whom Bryant’s Lakers faced in that season’s Finals; or Tracy McGrady, whose numbers were better or comparable to Bryant’s at one one point. Also absent from the list was one-time teammate Shaquille O’Neal, who, like Olajuwon, played center.
In the end, it’s Bryant’s list, but it’s a fun one to pick apart.
