Kobe Bryant and the 7 Most Epic NBA Masked Men of All Time

The All-Star Game is usually regarded as all offense, no defense and having a lack of physicality that many fans crave when watching an NBA game.

Kobe Bryant probably wishes this year had been the same.

While this year's game saw plenty of the offense-only mentality, it's tough to forget that Bryant took a shot from Dwyane Wade that has now landed him in a protective plastic mask.

But while Bryant is the newest member to the roster of NBA players who've donned the protective mask, there are plenty of others who have set the path before him and helped make the accessory both functional and fashionable at the same time.

Kobe Bryant

While Kobe Bryant is not the first player to ever wear the face mask in the NBA, his mask may be the first one to receive its own Twitter handle.

Bryant didn't let something insignificant like a broken nose, mild concussion and plastic around his face slow him down Wednesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

He had 31 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, and also made 9-of10 free throws on his way to a 104-85 victory.

Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers play Dwyane Wade's Miami Heat on Sunday, and while Bryant claims it's "all good" with Wade, don't be surprised if he steps up his game even further to show the man responsible that he's just fine sporting the new accessory.

Richard Hamilton

New city, new team, same glamorous face mask.

While Richard Hamilton has averaged more than 17.5 points per game for his career and made two NBA Finals appearances, the 34-year-old veteran has seemingly become more known for his face mask than his actual production on the court.

Having his nose broken twice in the 2003-04 season, Hamilton had to have reconstructive surgery and used the mask to protect his nose from receiving any more devastating blows.

Hamilton ended his tenure with the struggling Detroit Pistons this past offseason and is now a part of a Chicago Bulls team that is looking to challenge the Miami Heat for the best record out East.

Despite the changes, Hamilton is still sporting the infamous face mask, and likely will for the remainder of his NBA career.

Bill Laimbeer

Always known as a tough guy during his 14 seasons in the NBA, not even Bill Laimbeer could stay away from the plastic mask.

Laimbeer was the kind of player who never thrived off of athleticism, but used his physicality and basketball IQ to average nearly 13 points and 10 rebounds over the course of his career. 

Never afraid to throw an elbow or knock somebody to the ground, he is one of the biggest bruisers in NBA history—mask or no mask.

The clear face mask was originally developed in 1990 for Laimbeer, and has become the model of protection that we see throughout the NBA today.

Zorro

Okay, so Zorro's NBA career is nonexistent at best, but isn't that kind of a shame?

His moves are slick, he doesn't miss much time to injury and quite frankly, he can break down a double-team when outnumbered. 

If a guy like Oklahoma City Thunder's Russell Westbrook ever breaks his nose, all he has to do is grow his hair out and he's got a new nickname already waiting for him.

Alonzo Mourning

Alonzo Mourning became known for many things—the mask was not one of them.

Early in his career, Mourning was a go-to scorer, averaging more than 20 points per game through his first eight seasons. 

But while he was touted for his defense throughout the entirety of his career, the kidney disease that forced him to retire in 2003 is what many people think of first when Mourning is mentioned.

1998 is the year that Mourning put on the mask, but infamously returning to the NBA to win an NBA Championship with the Miami Heat is a much greater memory for the 6'10" center. 

Brandon Williams

Brandon Williams isn't exactly a household name among NBA fans.

His mask, however, probably should be.

Having played only 18 games in the NBA, Williams was never known as a an integral part of a team, and quite frankly, his mask only averaged 2.3 points fewer than he did.

The Batman-like protector is unique to say the least, and is easily what Williams should be most known for during his brief NBA career.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Despite a handful of healthy seasons in the middle of his career, Zydrunas Ilgauskas had a number of injury-plagued years in the NBA.

In 2004, Ilgauskas broke his nose, and had to wear the mask to prevent further injury.

At 7'3", 260 pounds, Ilgauskas might be one of the more daunting figures to ever sport the face mask, making him look for a short time as if he belonged in the WWE rather than the NBA.

LeBron James

In 2005, LeBron James was forced to wear a protective mask due to a fractured cheekbone he received in a collision with Dikembe Mutombo. 

James played well in his first game with the mask recording 26 points, eights rebounds and six assists on 11-of-19 shooting.

James' most memorable moment with the mask, though, came exactly one month later when he embarrassed Damon Jones with one of the most spectacular dunks of his NBA career.