The late great Kobe Bryant was one of the best players ever, but he is often left out of the GOAT argument. Michael Jordan and LeBron James are the two players in the conversation, but Kobe needs to be included. He is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. The media needs to stop disrespecting the amount of greatness he brought to the game.
Kobe Bryant spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers and accomplished so much. His most impressive game was when he dropped 81 points, which were the second-most ever scored in a game. Some find this feat even more impressive than when Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 due to the sheer difficulty in the modern era.
Kobe Bryant accolades
– 5-time NBA Champion
– 2-time Finals MVP
– 1-time NBA MVP
– 15-time All NBA
– 18-time All-Star
– 12-time All-Defensive Team
– 4-time All-Star Game MVP
– 33,643 career points
– 6,306 assists
– 7,047 rebounds
These numbers and accolades show how much Kobe Bryant accomplished in his career. Many try to discredit him by claiming he was a selfish player that wouldn't pass the ball. This is a false narrative as Kobe has the most assists by a shooting guard in NBA history. He also has the most rebounds by a shooting guard in league history, proving he was an all-around player.
He is known as a scorer, but he was so much more than that. Kobe Bryant was a great defender and elevated his team when it mattered most. He is one of if not the most clutch player of all time. His 36 game-winners are the most by any player in NBA history.
When it came down to it, Kobe Bryant was the one to take and make the tough shots.
While there are people in the media who don't include Kobe in the GOAT debate, what about the players?
Former and current players on the greatness of Kobe Bryant
Former Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson commented on the GOAT debate in a video by Unguarded back in 2018:
“What bothers me is when they do talk about it, LeBron is great, first of all, when they talk about comparing him to Michael, I don’t understand how they don’t have the debate when it comes to Kobe. Like, I don’t get it. What, you forgot or something? They forgot? I really think they forgot. I really think they forgot the Mamba, man, the certified serial killer, man.”
Another player who has endorsed Kobe Bryant is Shaquille O'Neal. He told Stephen A Smith on After the Dance that “A lot of people always ask, Who’s the greatest player in the game, Jordan or LeBron? I think you must respectfully add Kobe in that conversation.”
Numerous players have praised Kobe Bryant in the highest possible terms, including Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum. Tatum was on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast:
“Anybody that don’t have Mike, Bron, and Kobe in their Top 5, I really have a hard time listening to them… Nobody should ever question that.”
Some people in the media and some fans claim that Kobe Bryant isn't a top 10 player of All Time, but that is far from the truth. He has the accolades and players to prove what he brought to the game. Whose opinion matters more than his former competitors and teammates?
To be the GOAT, you have to do something to set yourself apart from the rest.
Kobe Bryant and the Mamba Mentality
What set Kobe Bryant apart from every other player was his mentality. He would outwork everyone else in the league as proven by numerous players have talked about. Back in 2008, the USA Olympic team was preparing in Las Vegas. In an interview with ESPN Chris Bosh said:
“We all come down for team breakfast at the start of the whole training camp and Kobe comes in with ice on his knees and with his trainers and stuff.”
Dwayne Wade later added to this by saying:
“Everybody else just woke up. We’re still stretching and yawning and looking at [Kobe] like, What the f***? We’re all yawning, and he’s already three hours and a full workout into his day.”
Kobe Bryant was outworking all the other stars which were what put him at the top of the league.
Another thing that makes Kobe Bryant a part of the GOAT conversation was the legacy he left on the game. His legacy is so deep that people shout “Kobe” when shooting. He has also inspired the next generation with his Mamba Mentality.
Kobe Bryant once said, “The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.”
He inspired a generation that is a part of the legacy he left on the game of basketball.
Kobe Bryant may not come up in the media when the GOAT debate is mentioned, but don't let that fool you as he is at the same level as LeBron and Jordan.
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