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After Thursday’s matchup between the Cavaliers and Lakers, King James continued his reign on the Black Mamba, taking their 20th battle and extending his record against Kobe to 14-6. That doesn’t say a whole lot though. The two are galaxies that have clashed in different time continuums; as their careers evolved, the Cavs and Lakers’ equal talent diverged at different times, starting around LeBron’s 2010 departure. Cavs Nation looks at the superstar duo head to head, comparing their top 10 plays! Start the gallery on the next page!
Harry How | Getty Images
#10
Kobe posterized Steve Nash, but LeBron James dominated the towering Tim Duncan. With the clear distinction in athleticism, James takes #10!
Continue to #9 on the next page!
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#9
Two plays that define clutch and involve the Miami Heat. Kobe’s game winner was a miracle but LeBron’s determination to make a game-changing play in the closing minutes of the NBA Finals that wins him round 2.
Continue to #8 on the next page!
Harry How | Getty Images
#8
Two more dynamic plays, but Kobe’s timing on the pass and in the final 60 seconds in game 7 of the NBA Finals grants him an edge. The Black Mamba is now on the scoreboard.
Continue to #7 on the next page!
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#7
Equally embarrassing for both Dwight Howard and John Lucas, equally as tough to decide. Oh wait, no; LeBron jumped over another man. King James goes up 3-1.
Continue to #6 on the next page!
Ronald Martinez | Getty Images
#6
LeBron may have gotten by Durant and flushed it down, but this one individual move by Kobe was so harmoniously beautiful, it would be sinful to not grant victory to it. We’ve got a series now, LeBron up 3-2.
Continue to #5 on the next page!
Harry How | Getty Images
#5
Oh my. Tie. LeBron up 3-2-1 but Kobe on his trail 2-3-1.
Continue to #4 on the next page!
Kevork Djansezian | Getty Images
#4
…This really isn’t fair. Equally nasty, tie!
Black Mamba: 2-3-2
King James: 3-2-2
Continue to #3 on the next page!
Mike Ehrmann | Getty Images
#3
To avoid a tie, I flipped a coin. Kobe won.
Black Mamba: 3-3-2
King James: 3-3-2
Two left to decide it.
Continue to #2 on the next page!
Kevork Djansezian | Getty Images
#2
Two of these future Hall of Fame stars biggest playoff games. Game 5 is part of Cleveland’s dialect, while this might’ve been the greatest defensive and clutch moments in Kobe’s history with the lakers. However, ‘Game 5′ has distinguished itself from many other moments in James’ career, thus earning him the victory! King up by one! Will Kobe tie? Or has his legacy finally been matched by LeBron’s limitless potential?
Continue to #2 on the next page!
Lisa Blumenfeld | Getty Images
#1
LeBron may hold the greatest game winner in the Cavaliers’ franchise history, but Kobe dropped the second most points in a game. Ever. Looks like a tie, Cavs Nation. 1-on-1, James’ size and versatility would likely outlast Kobe’s. Nevertheless, sometimes, greatness and greatness is just too… great!