Kobe Bryant has included NBA legend Bill Russell in his list of the four greatest players to have played the game.

The Los Angeles Lakers veteran named Russell alongside Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird following comments from LeBron James last week that he expects to be considered as one of the four greatest players when his career finishes.

"I would say Magic, Bird, Michael, and Russell," Bryant told reporters before Sunday's All-Star game.

"That's impossible to do four, though, man. Come on. That's crazy. That's tough. Absolutely tough."

James named Oscar Robertson, and not than Russell, in his four-player list.