Obviously, all-time rankings lists are fun because they’re impossible and they spark endless debate. So when Bleacher Report released it’s top 15 NBA players of all time, what do you think happened?
First, let’s examine how their list came out. Additionally, pay attention to around the ten spot where things get dicey.
Bleacher Report’s top 15 players of all time:
1. Jordan
2. LeBron
3. Kareem
4. Magic
5. Bird
6. Shaq
7. Duncan
8. Russell
9. Chamberlain
10. Curry
11. Oscar
12. D.Robertson
13. Olajuwon
14. Kobe
15. Durant— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) September 26, 2019
Admittedly, I’m only a modest basketball fan. For instance, I sent this list to some of my basketball buddies and made my short case for Larry Bird to be higher. Then, the next thing that crossed my mind was that Kobe Bryant was outside the top ten.
Moreover, they had one gripe in their reply to me. Without question, they told me that he deserved to be in the top ten; especially over a guy like Golden State’s Steph Curry.
Now, regardless of how you feel, Skip Bayless holds the same sentiment near and dear to his heart. Furthermore, he debated the point on FOX Sports in the video below.
"It's to the point of criminal that Steph Curry is ranked above Kobe. To the point of shock. I'm dumbfounded and lost." — @RealSkipBaylesspic.twitter.com/5YextS9dRT
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) September 27, 2019
Bayless says Kobe was completely slighted in the rankings, considering where Curry ranked.
“It’s to the point of criminal that Steph Curry is ranked above Kobe. To the point of shock and amazement. I’m dumbfounded and lost.”
Then Bayless – as he’s famous for doing – continued onward with his point.
“I’m all about the postseason. Steph’s numbers in the postseason have never lived up to – he just fades in the playoffs – regularly every number is down, down, down. Not dramatically, but just some where you say ‘he’s not that guy’.”
While it can’t be debated that Bryant was known as a menace in both the regular season and postseason, one has to wonder what caused this slight. By the same token, Bleacher Report got people debating and talking about the list; which can be an indicator of a good (or bad) list in general.
Finally, where would you rank Bryant on this all-time NBA players list? If someone like me thinks he should be higher, there’s probably a case to be made for it. Furthermore, should Steph Curry be outside the top ten? Let us know in the comments below!
