Kobe Bryant once named the five toughest opponents he ever played against throughout his legendary NBA career.
A five-time NBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, and 18-time All-Star, Bryant is regarded as one of basketball's greatest ever players. He scored 81 points in a single game—the second-highest in NBA history—and won two Olympic gold medals. Beyond stats, he became the face of the LA Lakers, helping shape their modern identity and inspiring a post–Magic Johnson generation. His “Mamba Mentality” influenced athletes across all sports, and his legacy bridged cultures globally.
Bryant's 20-year career saw him compete across different generations, against a wide variety of icons, from Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, to Shaquille O'Neal and Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James, Steve Nash, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry. But of all the players he ever shared the court with, who was the toughest? Bryant revealed all in a resurfaced clip that quickly went viral.
Kobe Bryant Named 7 of The Toughest Opponents he Ever Played Against
LA Lakers all-timer said Allen Iverson off the top of his dome
Jimmy Kimmel, in an old, classic clip of Bryant, asked the generational player who was the toughest guy he ever played against. Bryant squinted his eyes, inhaled sharply, and took a moment to consider the question.
He name-checked the following, before singling out the No.1 toughest:
Allen Iverson — Philadelphia 76ers, among others
Stephon Marbury —Minnesota Timberwolves and New Jersey Nets, among others
Gilbert Arenas — Washington Wizards, among others
Carmelo Anthony — Denver Nuggets, among others
Kevin Durant — Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors, among others
"I can go by eras, actually," Bryant said.
"So there's a stretch where Allen Iverson was just … he was a load to deal with, man. He was really, really tough. And there was a game where he dropped 44 on me, in Philadelphia."
"There's a game in New Jersey where Stephon Marbury dropped 50 on me. There's a game where [Gilbert] Arenas had 60. Carmelo Anthony is always tough for me to deal with. [Kevin] Durant's always tough to deal with," said Bryant. "There are a lot of guys."
Bryant, though, singled out an answer for the No.1 toughest opponent he ever competed against.
"But the guy that always gave me the most problems, actually, was Tracy McGrady."
As a 7-time NBA All-Star who played his best years with the Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets, Tracy McGeady was an exceptional scorer and all-around player known for his athleticism, scoring versatility, and clutch performances. While Bryant's teams achieved more playoff and championship success, McGeady outperformed Kobe in several individual match-ups and scoring duels.