Yesterday ESPN put out the list of the top 75 NBA players of all-time which caught the attention of current free agent shooting guard Jamal Crawford. Who had this to say on Twitter. “ESPN.. Ima let you finish, buttt we don’t respect any list Kobe isn’t top five…”
It is an interesting statement. In my opinion though the majority of NBA experts were not putting Kobe Bryant in the top five to begin with anyways. So does that mean the only lists Crawford will respect are the top five lists for the Los Angeles Lakers franchise or top five shooting guards of all-time?
When it comes to the overall list, there is no doubt, Kobe does not belong there.
Off the top of my head the first five names I was able to think of in no particular order were Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Magic Johnson. When it comes to the next five and top 10 overall, it becomes a bit more difficult. Still names like Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan, and Hakeem Olajuwon deserve mentioning and there is an argument to be made that Kobe is not better than any of them.
So at best that leaves Bryant at no.11 of all-time.
In my opinion the tweet by Crawford is another example of an attempt to rewrite the history of Bryant, and it does him no favors. We know his talent, we know his greatness, we know his passion for the game, his ability to hit tough shots, and that many consider him the closest player ever to Jordan.
Still after Kobe retired he ranked fourth all-time in total points, 13th in points per game, 63rd in rebounds, 32nd in assists, 17th all-time in steals, 7th in field goals made, 13th in field goals attempted, 21st in three-pointers made, 13th in three-pointers attempted, first in missed field goals missed, third in free throws made, sixth in free throw attempts, 16th in games played, ninth in minutes played, and 42nd all-time in minutes per game.
There is no need to hash out the arguments for and against Kobe. As you start making the list of NBA greats, it becomes harder and harder to rank Kobe. LeBron James is certainly ahead of him, Kevin Durant likely surpasses him as well. Then there’s Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo to add.
At this point it seems like soon it will become much more difficult to keep Kobe in the discussion for top 20. So it becomes interesting to see how Jamal will defend his argument on Kobe being top five or will he change his tune when it comes to whom he respects?
Regardless Kobe is definitely not top five and has never been.
First, this article is poorly written.
Second, how many times can this writer use “in my opinion”? You’re writing this, bro. We know it’s your damn opinion
Third, nothing said in this article really gives any reason for us to believe or not to believe Kobe isn’t top-5. Every basketball article I’ve read from this site is pure comedy. I’d seriously hope you all get better writers or perhaps consider making this a non-sports blog. You won’t get very far or last long with this garbage content.
I appreciate you feeling the need to make a comment.
Still hard for your to have any credibility when your e-mail includes the name Lakers fan in it. So of course instead of actually coming in with a valid and fair opinion, you can only use the dreaded oh this post could use a little editing or in your case attack the entire blog.
Funny how it’s been around for so long.
Don’t really need to include anything except for where Kobe ranks all-time to prove that he isn’t top five. The arguments for and against Kobe are old, and widely known.
Yet if you really want to go in to it, be my guest.
The comment was valid. The argument is poorly debated and your article is poorly written. I’m not sure how long this pop-up blog has been around for, however, perhaps stick to something you know when writing. I’d suggest you perhaps learn to take criticism better. It might make you a better writer.
Still no substance. Again no credibility with your response.