LA Times: How Does Kobe Bryant Rank Among NBA Greats?

[DPG21920]

I think this is a good list except for number 5. I would put Hakeem Olajuwon at number 5. Akeem had the total package. Was the defensive player of the year for 2 years and was a better all around basketball player than both Shaq and Tim. He averaged 3.1 blocks for his career and also averaged 1.75 steals a game. The guy had no weakness and even shot freethrows better. Not much, but better.

Why do you think Kobe should be ahead of Shaq and Tim?

[resistanze]

Because Kobe won two days ago, duh!

[LakeShow]

Why do you think Kobe should be ahead of Shaq and Tim?

He's a better all around player. Kobe has already matched them in les but I don't feel that should matter. We're talking about the best of the best, skill wise and accomplishments. His 81 point game is second only to Wilt Chamberlains 100 point game and the 62 points in 3 quarters was a remarkable feat as well. Kobe has set countless records that neither Tim or shaq can compete with.

[DPG21920]

He's a better all around player. Kobe has already matched them in les but I don't feel that should matter. We're talking about the best of the best, skill wise and accomplishments. His 81 point game is second only to Wilt Chamberlains 100 point game and the 62 points in 3 quarters was a remarkable feat as well. Kobe has set countless records that neither Tim or shaq can compete with.

Do finals MVP's and regular season MVP's and All-Defensive Teams and All-NBA teams matter?

What about anchoring defenses and being the go to guy on the championship teams?

[sonic21]

He's a better all around player. Kobe has already matched them in les but I don't feel that should matter. We're talking about the best of the best, skill wise and accomplishments. His 81 point game is second only to Wilt Chamberlains 100 point game and the 62 points in 3 quarters was a remarkable feat as well. Kobe has set countless records that neither Tim or shaq can compete with.

we can't compare great players based on regular seasons.
in the playoffs:
shaq > kobe
duncan > kobe

[DPG21920]

Even in the regular season, I am sure Tim's regular season win % and playoff appearances are higher than Kobe's.

[LakeShow]

Do finals MVP's and regular season MVP's and All-Defensive Teams and All-NBA teams matter?

What about anchoring defenses and being the go to guy on the championship teams?

The skill level of Kobe vs. Shaq/Duncan is not even close. Regular season or Playoffs. Kobe has always been the goto guy on the Lakers, even when shaq was there. As far as PF/C goes, those two were 2 of the best, but all around baller. It's not even close. MJ, Kobe and Magic were/are in a league of their own.

[DPG21920]

Ok.

[HarlemHeat37]

the skill level argument is the funniest..I guess Rafer Alston is better than Shaq..

I've still yet to hear a legit argument for Kobe over Shaq or Duncan..

they both have him beat in accolades, accomplishments, winning, play in the playoffs and the finals, and it's a well-known fact that big men have more impact on the game..

[baseline bum]

The skill level of Kobe vs. Shaq/Duncan is not even close. Regular season or Playoffs. Kobe has always been the goto guy on the Lakers, even when shaq was there. As far as PF/C goes, those two were 2 of the best, but all around baller. It's not even close. MJ, Kobe and Magic were/are in a league of their own.

Another ing ignorant Laker fan doesn't even know his own team

Here is my problem with Shaq being in a top 10 on any list. When the game was on the line with five minutes to go, every NBA fan knows that he wants the ball to go to his best player, Shaq was never that player on any team in his entire career. At LSU it was Chris Jackson, in Orlando it was Penny, in LA it was Kobe, in Miami it was Wade, and now in Phoenix its Nash.

Shaq was never a "money" ball player, neither was Wilt. Wilt didnt win a le until he was paired with West, and it was West that was hitting all the big shots when they won. In my opinion, Shaq is no different than the Karl Malones, and Charles Barkleys of the league, except he was paired with great co-stars.

LMAO. Revisionism at its finest. Shaq was option #1 to close game 7 in Sacramento, the biggest game the Lakers have played in the past 20 years. Of the 8 points scored in OT before the Kings started intentionally fouling with 15 seconds left, Shaq had 6 of them. Here's the video of OT:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDD7_vQDhDw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL7lePEaaqY

I know. Shaq wasn't the money ball player vs Portland in game 7 either, despite scoring 9 points in the 4th on 100% shooting while grabbing 5 boards. Shaw's three to tie the game had nothing to do with LA dumping the ball into Shaq and him commanding the triple-team that gave him that wide-open look on the direct pass out from O'Neal. Those 5 fouls he drew on Sabonis, Grant, and Wallace had nothing to do with LA dumping the ball into him relentlessly that entire quarter. The 2nd biggest Lakers game of the past 20 years wasn't a money game either I guess.

[DrHouse]

Another ing ignorant Laker fan doesn't even know his own team

You're a Spurs fan and we have to sit here and tell you that Kobe was the closer in those years. Absolutely pathetic.

You clearly don't even remember your own teams history numb nuts.

[Allanon]

This was the pivotal year in Kobe's career. it vaulted him into consideration with the Greats.

The Kobe/MJ comparisons are still premature. And I still have Duncan/Shaq ahead of Kobe right now; albeit a slim lead.

But Kobe's got 4 rings at age 30 with the Lakers setup as contenders for the next 4-5 years. If the Lakers roll out 3-4 Rings or get a 3-peat in the next 5 years, I wouldn't be surprised if Kobe retires as GOAT.

[baseline bum]

You're a Spurs fan and we have to sit here and tell you that Kobe was the closer in those years. Absolutely pathetic.

You clearly don't even remember your own teams history numb nuts.

LOL. I clearly showed in their two biggest games in the past 20 years Shaq was the rock they leaned on and the unquestioned #1 option as closer, and more stupid Kobe fans tiptoe around it and act like it happened the other way.

[BRHornet45]

There is no logical argument of Kobe being ahead of Duncan or Shaq

CO-SIGN .... anyone who puts Kobe over those two are just simply down right ignorant.

[baseline bum]

Almost as bad as the moron who wrote this article putting Bryant over Bird, Shaq, Olajuwon, and Duncan is him putting West and Baylor over Oscar and Dr. J.

What a stupid homer piece of trash. Ted Green must be the LA Times' answer to Mike Monroe.

[sonic21]

If the Lakers roll out 3-4 Rings or get a 3-peat in the next 5 years, I wouldn't be surprised if Kobe retires as GOAT.

Nice dream, but in this salary cap, parity era, its going to be real hard to win at least 2 championships

[LakeShow]

Another ing ignorant Laker fan doesn't even know his own team

you, ! Why would the Lakers give the ball to Shaq in the clutch when all you had to do was foul him, you dumb !

[baseline bum]

you, ! Why would the Lakers give the ball to Shaq in the clutch when all you had to do was foul him, you dumb !

Why did they win two game 7s against their toughest compe ion in the three-peat era by dumping the ball to Shaq? Why do you ignore this fact? Did you even watch the games?

[E20]

I'd put Tim, Shaq, Hakeem, and Kareem over Kobe. Kobe over Larry Bird is an arguement that can be made, but I'm not the one to do it

All bigs too LOL

[DrHouse]

LOL. I clearly showed in their two biggest games in the past 20 years Shaq was the rock they leaned on and the unquestioned #1 option as closer, and more stupid Kobe fans tiptoe around it and act like it happened the other way.

Again if I have to explain to a Spurs fan that Kobe was indeed the closer on the 3-peat teams then that Spur fan clearly didn't watch his team very closely at all.

Kobe is the one who sank those daggers against the Spurs, NOT Shaq.

[baseline bum]

Again if I have to explain to a Spurs fan that Kobe was indeed the closer on the 3-peat teams then that Spur fan clearly didn't watch his team very closely at all.

Kobe is the one who sank those daggers against the Spurs, NOT Shaq.

Yeah, because they had a monster mismatch with guys like Derek Anderson and Antonio Daniels guarding Kobe for the first two years of the threepeat while the Spurs could throw Robinson and Duncan at Shaq. Kobe was the go-to guy versus exactly one team in the league in the three-peat.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

kobe was just a role player with too much hype during the 3-peat.

[LakeShow]

Why did they win two game 7s against their toughest compe ion in the three-peat era by dumping the ball to Shaq? Why do you ignore this fact? Did you even watch the games?

Who dumped the ball to him? The ball was in Kobe's hands to make a play. Just like he did against Portland and others that Horry made the game winners. What about the famous game that Horry hit the shot against Sacramento? The ball was given to Kobe to make a play, not Shaq. Do your ing homework. When the game was on the line, the lakers made a conscious effort to keep the ball out of Shaq's hands.

[dirk4mvp]

that is one thing that bugs me, when people talk about how Nash shouldnt win MVPs since he did his work only on one end of the court... you can say the same about Magic and Bird. they were both ing horrible defenders, and had STACKED ING TEAMS. so why do they get a pass on their defense?

Bird was a great team defender and tried to play D. Nash, uh, isn't and, uh doesn't.

[Shaquille O'Neal]

What about the famous game that Horry hit the shot against Sacramento? The ball was given to Kobe to make a play, not Shaq.

no, phil wanted me to have the ball, but kobe wanted to be the man. He missed a lay-up and horry save his sorry a$$