LeBron James has "always loved playing against" Kobe Bryant, but those chances are dwindling

2012 NBA All-Star Game

LeBron James and Kobe Bryant usually provide prime NBA entertainment when they're on the court together. But their meetings are numbered.

(Gary W. Green)

LOS ANGELES – LeBron James is a Kobe Bryant admirer, and relishes opportunities like tonight's to play against him.

Those chances, though, are dwindling.

At 36, Bryant is under contract for this season and next. He's been plagued by injury the last few years, and is at a point where Lakers coach Byron Scott is playing him less and talking about potentially shutting him down for the season if Los Angeles is "nowhere near" playoff contention come March.

At 12-27 entering tonight's game against James and the Cavaliers, the Lakers are already out of the playoff hunt in the West for all intents and purposes. And it would seem highly unlikely that the Lakers could reach the Finals in 2016 – likely Bryant's 20th and final season.

Add it all up, and tonight's James-Bryant matchup is the penultimate showdown between the two at the Staples Center.

"You never want to see someone struggle, whether it's physically or just the game in general," James said this morning, prior to Cleveland's shootaround on campus at UCLA. James said Bryant is a "very good friend."

"I always wish him the best for sure," James continued. "He's played a lot of basketball, man, and as competitive as he is, he wants to be out there, obviously. He's played a lot of basketball over the years. He has a few more years than me, for sure, and a lot more miles on his body, but hopefully he can as close to healthy as possible so he can play at the level he's capable of playing."

Bryant is averaging 22.7 points per game but is shooting a career-low 37 percent. After missing all but six games last year due to a knee injury, Bryant is averaging 34.7 minutes per game, but he's also missed six of the Lakers' last 12 games and hasn't played more than 33 minutes at any point during that stretch.

James spoke at length about Bryant and his admiration for him during training camp, and echoed those comments today when he said "I'm a huge Kobe fan.

"I just love the way he approaches the game, his competitive nature, and it's just great having him in the league," James said. "Last year it wasn't as great, not having him out there, he's a big part of what we all do."

James is averaging 28.2 ppg in 11 games against the Lakers at the Staples Center. His best game – 41 points, nine rebounds, and four assists in a Cavaliers win on Jan. 27, 2008. Bryant had 33 points and 12 boards in that game.

The Lakers will play at The Q on Feb. 8.

"I've always loved playing against him," James said. "Going against the best is something I've always kind of relished and had fun with. Also being at Staples Center as well, it's been pretty cool."

How cool? Well, it is L.A., hence tweets such as this one from actor Hugh Jackman.

James, 30, experienced what Bryant is going through over the past two weeks when he missed eight consecutive games to rest nagging injuries. He returned Tuesday to score 33 points in a loss to Phoenix.

Asked how he felt the day after – the Cavs didn't practice Wednesday and were not available to reporters – James said "like I was out for two weeks, for sure."

The Cavaliers have lost six straight and are 19-20.

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