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Kobe vs LeBron – The Greatest Finals That Never Happened

Kobe vs LeBron is the greatest NBA Finals matchup that never happened.

But… it almost did. Six times.

Today, I’ll tell you about the six times the two almost faced each other for an NBA Championship.

2006-2007 Season

A young LeBron would defeat two recent eastern conference champions (the Nets and the Pistons) to take the Cavs to their first Finals. But there, they’d actually face the Lakers’ conference rivals, the Spurs. The Lakers, who didn’t have Gasol yet, didn’t even make it out of the first round. But this wasn’t one of those six times but only a preview of what was to come.

2007-2008 Season

The Lakers would acquire Pau Gasol from the Grizzlies. Teaming up with Kobe, the team returned to the Finals. However, the Cavs would lose against the Celtics Big three (Pierce, Garnett, and Allen) in close 7-game series. Had the Cavs won game 7, they had a shot at making it all the way to the Finals, and we would’ve gotten the first Kobe vs LeBron championship matchup.

2008-2009 Season

Kobe vs LeBron seemed inevitable now. Both the Lakers (65-17) and Cavs (66-16) finished with the top records in the league and were both #1 seeds. The Lakers made it to the Finals. The Cavs seemed destined for the Finals, sweeping their first two playoff opponents: the Pistons and the Hawks. But… they were upset in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Magic. This could’ve been Kobe vs LeBron Part II.

2009-2010 Season

The Lakers would add Ron Artest while the Cavs would add Shaq and Jamison. Now it REALLY seemed destined for them to meet in the Finals. The Lakers would indeed make it all the way. As for the Cavs? They were upset again! In the 2nd round this time against the Celtics, again. And in just six games, again. This should’ve been Kobe vs LeBron Part III.

2010-2011 Season

The Lakers would remain the Lakers. But LeBron would join Wade and Bosh on the Heat. Now LeBron had NO EXCUSES for not making the Finals. And lo and behold, LeBron would finally make it easily beating the Celtics and the #1 ranked Bulls in just 5 games each. As for the Lakers? They’d be upset by the Mavs in the 2nd round. What the heck!? This should’ve been Kobe vs LeBron Part IV.

Oh, by the way… Chris Paul was traded to the Lakers that season! But the trade was vetoed by then NBA commissioner David Stern. That would’ve surely pushed the Lakers to the Finals.

2011-2012 Season

The Lakers had no Chris Paul or even Lamar Odom anymore who wanted out of the Lakers after being part of that failed trade. The Lakers would’ve made the Finals if they had CP3, but instead, were eliminated in the 2nd round to the Thunder and the Heat’s ultimate Finals opponent. This could’ve been Kobe vs LeBron Part V! And also Chris Paul vs Dwyane Wade Part I, lol.

2012-2013 Season

The Lakers now had a superteam (acquiring Dwight Howard and Steve Nash) to face the Heat’s superteam (they’d add Ray Allen). This would’ve been an epic Finals… if it happened. Unfortunately, Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant didn’t get along. Steve Nash suffered through some injuries. And Kobe Bryant tore his Achilles before the playoffs. This could’ve been Kobe vs LeBron Part VI. Instead, the Spurs would sweep the Lakers in the 1st round and eventually meet the Heat in the Finals.

2013 Onward

Recovering from the Achilles tear, Kobe would only play in six games in the 2013-14 season. And in 2014-15, he’d suffer through other injuries and only play in 35 games. 2015-16 would be his last season, and he’d retire never facing LeBron James in the Finals.

So six times we could’ve had one of the most amazing matchups in NBA history. Now we can only wonder and debate forever who would’ve came up on top.

But it’s not all that bad. Instead, we got the rebirth of the Lakers and Celtics feud. And LeBron had some memorable matchups with the Spurs and Warriors. And lastly, Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd finally won a ring.