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3 Kobe Bryant NBA Records LeBron James Won't Ever Break

By Alexander Wildes

The Black Mamba had some clear advantages over The King.
The Black Mamba had some clear advantages over The King. / Noel Vasquez/Getty Images

In Saturday night's matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers, LeBron James will likely pass Kobe Bryant on for third on the all time scoring list, as James only needing 18 points to surpass the Lakers legend. However, the 'Black Mamba' still has some distinct statistical advantages over James. Here are some Kobe Bryant records LeBron won't beat.

3. Youngest Player to Start an All-Star Game

Bryant, as a 19-year-old sophomore player, was an All-Star starter.
Bryant, as a 19-year-old sophomore player, was an All-Star starter. / Elsa/Getty Images

Kobe Bryant has the special honor of being the youngest player to ever start in the NBA All Star Game. At the time of the game, Kobe was just 19.5 years old! This is an incredible feat that, due to the new voting rules and NBA age restrictions, will probably never be broken. The last player who had a real opportunity to beat the record was James, but he was not an All-Star in his first year, thus losing the opportunity.

2. 600+ points in the Postseason for 3 Straight Years

Bryant has been an unstoppable scorer in the playoffs.
Bryant has been an unstoppable scorer in the playoffs. / Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

Kobe Bryant has seemingly raised his game in the playoffs, becoming the only player in NBA history to score 600 or more points in three straight postseasons. By averaging around 30 points and playing an average of 21 games, Bryant succeeded in doing this in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 postseasons. On the other hand, James has scored 600 points on three separate occasions, but never even in back to back years. He would have to do so for three straight years on the back end of his career, which seems very unlikely at best.

1. 9 All-Defensive First Teams

Kobe's 9 All-Defensive First Teams is tied for the league record.
Kobe's 9 All-Defensive First Teams is tied for the league record. / Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Bryant was an excellent defender; his 9 All-Defensive First Teams have him tied with a few other NBA players. James' defense used to be elite; he is a five-time All-Defensive First Team honoree and in the 2008-2009 NBA season was runner up in Defensive Player of the Year. However, at this point in his career, James' defense has become more lackadaisical, and he will not catch up to Bryant in this measurement.