Comparing Kobe Bryant’s Last 8 Seasons With Lakers To LeBron James’ Run With Purple And Gold

Since arriving in L.A. in 2018, LeBron James has been the engine of a Lakers revival. He brought home the franchise’s 17th championship in the pandemic-shortened 2020 bubble and consistently delivered All-Star-caliber production, averaging 26.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 8.1 assists while making seven All-NBA Teams during his stint in California. 

Yet this renaissance is clouded by the storm of recent headlines: tension over the Lakers’ pivot to Luka Doncic, LeBron’s absence from key meetings, and a lack of commitment on his contract.

Does this latest news, along with some very difficult seasons that ended without the postseason, wash away what James has done with the franchise? That might sound extreme, but in order to weigh this out, it is best to compare James' run with the Lakers to Kobe Bryant's as he enters his 8th season with the team. 

While James will never catch Bryant as an all-time Laker in terms of overall resume, it might be appropriate to only consider Bryant's final eight seasons and see how The King matches up. 

Bryant’s final eight campaigns, from 2009-10 to 2015-16, weren’t without their hallmarks of dominance: two Finals MVPs, a title, and MVP-level regular seasons, including a legendary 60-point walk-off game. Yet as the roster aged and injury wore him down, Kobe’s loyalty was never in question, even as the wins became scarcer. 

In this deep dive, we’ll compare James’s Lakers tenure against Bryant's twilight in purple and gold, assessing impact, stability, and legacy. The key question: Does LeBron’s championship and statistical excellence outweigh Kobe’s pure devotion in an era of success followed by a period of decline? Let's compare the two iconic Laker stars. 

NBA Championships

Kobe Bryant: 2 (2009, 2010)

LeBron James: 1 (2020)

Kobe’s back-to-back titles in ’09 and ’10 are testaments to his killer instinct. In 2009, he averaged 32.4 PPG, 7.4 APG, and 5.6 RPG in the Finals, locking down winning performances in four of the five games and earning Finals MVP honors. He returned the following year with another Finals MVP, guiding the Lakers to a thrilling Game 7 victory over Boston, even while battling a finger fracture and knee issues. That is vintage Kobe in every way.

LeBron’s 2020 bubble victory might feel singular in quantity, but it thundered with significance. He dropped a commanding 28-14-10 in a closeout Game 6 and slammed into history as Finals MVP amid a chaotic season. Yet one championship heading into eight years? It’s a strong achievement, but compared to Kobe’s dual golden finishes, LeBron’s run lacks that extra layer of dynasty. If you’re stacking rings, Kobe edges ahead.

NBA Finals Appearances 

Kobe Bryant: 2 (2009, 2010)

LeBron James: 1 (2020)

Making two Finals and winning both gives Kobe a perfect conversion rate. No second chances, no wasted opportunities, when it counted most, Kobe showed up. Consecutive Finals runs shape perceptions; they tell fans, “This is our era.” Kobe asserted that claim with both name and title, stamping his legacy in purple and gold.

LeBron’s 2020 Finals trip was stirring: bubble drama, high stakes, playoff dominance. But a lone appearance in these completed seasons feels hollow by comparison. This isn’t about denying LeBron’s brilliance; it's about frequency. Kobe had the spectacle of back-to-back Finals; LeBron had a solo run. Excellence versus consistency. That single trip shows greatness, but Kobe’s two tell of dominance.

All-NBA Team Selections

Kobe Bryant: 5 (2009-2013)

LeBron James: 7 (2019-2025)

Kobe earned five consecutive first-team All-NBA nods, his prime mark in Lakers history. Even through injuries and roster chaos, he was still seen as one of the league’s elite. But get real: the wear-and-tear showed. His scoring was fierce, but efficiency dipped, and his style began to betray his body. Still, all-NBA for five years? Respect.

LeBron’s consistency is staggering: seven straight All-NBA selections in L.A., including another second-team nod at 40 years old. That's not just durability; that’s elite-level production atop veteran savvy. Through age and changing rosters, he stayed inside the league’s top tier. He’s working legacy-defying domination.

NBA Playoff Appearances

Kobe Bryant: 5 (2009-2013)

LeBron James: 5 (2020, 2021, 2023-2025)

Kobe led the Lakers to the playoffs five straight times, two Finals, and one championship, then declined as injuries piled on. Coming off that dynasty, the early 2010s were transition years. Kobe remained loyal, even when talent drained and expectations dipped. Loyalty points: high.

LeBron’s five playoff trips reflect solid seasons, but note: only one deep run. His Lakers bounced early in ‘21 and again in ‘25 despite All-NBA performances. He’s still carrying the franchise, but as team-building choices pile pressure, LeBron’s playoff consistency is being tested.

Regular-Season Wins Total (Tally)

Kobe Bryant: 330-305

LeBron James: 304-249

Kobe’s 330 wins show modest success from 2009 through his farewell, but with big highs and tough lows. The early years (65-17, 57-25) paid dividends; the final seasons were defined by youth-laden rosters and massive injury losses (27–55 in ‘13–14!). The arc? Sharp spike, then brutal descent, Kobe stood by the Lakers through the plunges.

LeBron’s record edge is clear: slightly better win percentage, steadier winning. He steered L.A. to a franchise-best 50-32 in 2024-25, even amid blockbuster trades. Sure, he missed the playoffs once, but overall, LeBron kept the Lakers afloat and competitive, even while crew overhauls churned behind him.

Playoff Wins Total (Tally)

Kobe Bryant: 41-31

LeBron James: 28-25

Kobe went 41-31 in the playoffs during his final eight seasons, 35 postseason games across five years, with 41 wins and 31 losses. That’s a respectable .569 winning percentage under postseason pressure, with two title runs in 2009-10 bookending that era. His Lakers were a mixed bag: scorching hot when healthy (like in ’09-’10), but injuries and inconsistency dragged others down, think tough losses in the later years (2011-13). Still, 41 wins over that span? That’s playoff resilience.

LeBron’s Lakers playoff record since 2018 reads 28-25 (.528), yet another story of peaks and plateaus. He rolled through 16-5 during the 2020 title run but slumped in recent postseasons (1-4 in 2024; 1-4 in 2025). Overall, it averages out to barely above the waterline, good, not dominant. A title, yes, but only one of five postseason runs with L.A., and only one series victory in the last two cycles. Hard truth: he’s carried the team hard…but maybe not far enough.

Regular-Season Statistics 

Kobe Bryant: 25.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG

LeBron James: 26.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 8.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.6 BPG 

Kobe’s per-game numbers in his twilight were elite: 25 points, and solid across the board, showing productivity into his mid-30s. Scoring with trademark aggression, supplying rebounds, assists, and defense, classic Mamba mode. The price? Efficiency fell, injuries loomed, and his body started sending signals.

LeBron’s stats are all-around dominance, near triple-double lines with high efficiency. He’s slouching toward all-time thresholds: 50k points, MVP votes at 40. It’s not just scoring, it’s rebounding, playmaking, defense, and longevity. He’s aging like fine wine, and we will never see another basketball player play this long and be this great. The Lakers are certainly lucky to have witnessed the final years of James' career.

Playoff Statistics

Kobe Bryant: 28.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.6 BPG

LeBron James: 26.0 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 7.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.0 BPG 

Kobe turned up the heat in the playoffs, nearly 29 points per game, with playmaking and defense to boot. He grappled with injuries yet DIDN’T MISS A BEAT. His final years were marked by epic postseason heroics, even if team success wavered, and even if it eventually led to an Achilles tear. 

LeBron’s playoff impact is not flashy; it’s multifaceted: rebounding, passing, and pure size. One title and a Finals MVP in ’20 mask a deeper story; he’s racked up historic postseason milestones (50k points, win shares). His stats scream “complete player” even if his scoring mark is slightly below Kobe's. 

Star-Caliber Teammates 

Kobe Bryant: 8 (Pau Gasol, Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, Metta World Peace, D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle)

LeBron James: 8 (Anthony Davis, Luka Doncic, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Austin Reaves, Rajon Rondo, Brandon Ingram, D'Angelo Russell)

Kobe shared the court with Gasol, Odom, Nash, Dwight, Metta, solid names, sometimes old-school vets; few were generational stars. When questions arose, he held the team together. As the roster aged, it kept bleeding talent, and Kobe kept delivering even in rubble.

LeBron found himself alongside game-changers like Davis, fierce stars like Doncic and Westbrook, plus seasoned vets like Rondo and Melo. But chemistry? A manage a trois of three talents doesn’t always equal harmony. These roster experiments produced some brilliance, and other times, early exits and locker-room drama.

Head Coaches 

Kobe Bryant: 4 (Phil Jackson, Mike Brown, Mike D'Antoni, Byron Scott)

LeBron James: 4 (Luke Walton, Frank Vogel, Darvin Ham, J.J. Redick)

Kobe outlasted Phil Jackson’s peak, then saw Mike Brown, Mike D’Antoni, and Byron Scott all come and go. With each shift, the system changed tone—yet Kobe was the constant. He carried, adjusted, and demanded respect from any scheme, even when boss and structure kept shifting.

LeBron’s L.A. tenure spanned Luke Walton, Frank Vogel, Darvin Ham, and the current JJ Redick. Vogel yielded a title; Redick is drawing up the next era with Luka in the fold. Win or no, the vibe is mixed; some say LeBron influences the bench, others suggest boardroom rifts. Either way, he’s been the face through each regime.

Who Had The Better Run With The Lakers?

LeBron’s run with the Lakers has had its highlights: a dominant 2020 championship in the bubble, staggering All-NBA consistency, and the kind of statistical dominance only he can deliver. But for all the flash, his postseason record (28-25) and just one Finals appearance fall short when compared side-by-side with Kobe's more defined legacy in that span.

Kobe Bryant’s last eight years in purple and gold were emblematic of what “Laker blood” really means: two straight Finals trips, two titles with Finals MVP honors, a sturdy playoff record (41-31), and a relentless commitment to the franchise even amid roster instability. His Mamba Mentality, championship-first, no excuses, cemented his claim as a Lakers legend in the truest sense. 

If you’re building a Lakers narrative around loyalty, postseason excellence, and legacy-defining moments, Kobe takes it. LeBron’s numbers are lethal, and his dominance is undeniable, but Kobe’s run? It’s pure dynasty narrative wrapped in purple and gold devotion.

Final verdict: Kobe Bryant had the better run for the Lakers.