Kobe probably top 15ish. In his era Shaq, Duncan and LeBron definitely better. Garnett has a case as well.
:grin: Remind me some how of Madonna , had a few nice songs in early 90s and sucked after, but the media crowned her regardless how bad or annoying she is
Depends what you mean by "better". LeBron puts up better stats, yes. And Duncan has had more career success. But Shaq is probably the only one that I would say was a better player than Kobe in his prime, peak, and had a better career than Kobe. Then again, I dislike individual player comparisons because every situation is so different. If Kobe was drafted by the Hornets, what would his career look like? If LeBron never left Cleveland, what would his career look like? Garnett in Minny, Duncan's career had Spurs not won the lotto, etc...
As I would say Kobe was probably only second to Jordan in terms of being a great individual player.....however Basketball is a team sport. He did not make those around him much better. So in those terms he is just outside of Top 15. Overall is maybe outside the Top 10 and looking in which is pretty darn good IMHO.
No way was he 2nd only to Jordan for being a great individual player. Shaq, Kareem and Chamberlain were much more dominant and efficient. In my opinion Lebron is/ was more dominant and efficient also. Kobe is dominant but what sets him apart from the many great players in history is that he just isn't afraid to shoot more than anyone..
You know what I mean, if the Hornets never traded Kobe for Vlade. Kobe's career might parallel Jordan's or LeBron's first half and who knows whether that would have helped or hurt his legacy overall?
Not sure how Kobe is more dominant than LeBron or Duncan. Both those guys were more efficient, rebounded better, and played better defense. LeBron is a MUCH better passer. LeBron has a higher career scoring average than Kobe on top of doing everything else better.
Or he could have paralleled TMac's or Vince Carter's first half. These excuses are insane. Without Shaq he doesn't win 5 rings.
Kobe is great and all, but I could go the rest of my life without hearing his name discussed and I would be A-OK.
Then you change his status to '2nd resilient individual player' 'one of the best and worst chuckers' of the last two decades
Kobe gets no respect from me. The only reason he ever won a ring is that the Buss family put exceptional all stars in the lineup with him. Then Kobe proceeded to run them off after marginalizing them.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://instagram.com/p/wok36ZiTFd/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Had to stop my workout last night in my weight room to Witness a piece of history from a living legend! Congrats again fam #Kobe #Mamba #StriveForGreatness</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A video posted by LeBron James (@kingjames) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2014-12-15T16:25:46+00:00">Dec 12, 2014 at 8:25am PST</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
Lol I'm definitely not a Kobe stan but it's unlikely Kobe parallels TMac's or Vince. With or without Shaq, Kobe has always had that killer instinct and that psychotic work ethic. Kobe had the discipline, natural skill set, AND the athleticism. TMac, Vince, and Iverson I'd say only hit 2/3. But prime Kobe would rebound and hustle on D with the best of them. I will agree, without Shaq Kobe doesn't have 5 rings. But Kobe would most likely have 2+ rings regardless. If Shaq doesn't come along Kobe woud've eventually had at least a Gasol or Odom. Or Kobe pulls a Wade and grabs KG to come to LA and they win a few rings.
I don’t know why but this cracked me up, such a fitting scene for such a crappy Lakers season. Kobe passes MJ’s record on the all time scoring list and he gets a crappy little party on the plane. Literally looks like every office birthday party that has ever occurred in America. We’ve all been to one. Everyone stands around awkwardly eating their cake, making meaningless small talk because they secretly hate each other. Staring at their watches wondering how much longer they have to be there. That’s Kobe’s party. Bet Boozer made a really stupid pun joke and everyone gave him a pity laugh too. All this was missing was a fat lady from accounting and the guy who always gets cake on his sweater. <iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/O6LHixTlMEW/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe><script async src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Congrats on passing MJ, here are the 2 most disgusting flight attendants we could find! <iframe class="vine-embed" src="https://vine.co/v/O6lB9gI1azi/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe><script async src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
