Monday, March 19th, 2007 at 11:58 am  |  292 responses

Kobe Is Top 10 ALL-TIME. Accept it.

Khalid on Kobe’s place in history.

By Khalid Salaam

For the record I actually do enjoy watching him play and when we counted down the best players in the L, my post had Kobe at number 1 and I meant every word I said then and now.

Amidst all the March Madness, uh Madness, I know you noticed how he dropped back-to-back 50 plus games. He’ll have another before the season’s over, we all know that. I’ve already decided and converted others in saying Kobe is top 20. But now I’m thinking maybe higher than that. I’m thinking there are only 9 players who I would rather have on my team if everything depended on it. Not a measly 5 dollar bet with your boys. No, I mean say for instance in some weird situation (it will never happen but lets say it did okay?) your family was kidnapped and you could only win them back by winning a game of basketball. I mean, you could get them back with a battle plan and a sawed off but as Pun said, you ain’t a killa, so lets just nix that.

So its you and 3 people who aren’t players and for the 5th spot you could pick any one player in history. Are you saying that Kobe Bryant would not make that list? For me its Jordan, Shaq, Wilt, Magic, Dream, Kobe, Moses, Bird, Kareem and Dr. J. And i’m not even sure in what order. You wanna go big and just get Shaq first but what if they start hacking and he’s at the foul line. He says he won’t miss them when it counts, but I don’t know. I’d have to take MJ first and I guess Magic although if you need excess scoring you might consider Wilt then Kobe. Plus you’d need a defender against the other team too. So, still MJ comes up, then Dream. But the fact is that Kobe would be on your list. Don’t front. We ‘re not talking about hanging out after the game and worrying about if this guy is anti-social or not. I’m talking about winning.

  • Add a Comment
  • Share
  • RSS

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

← Older Comments
Newer Comments →
  • http://www.zio.ch Darksaber

    And yes, i can argue this point, i just chose not to, cause i hates me some Kobs

  • Nathalie

    Khalid!!!
    I’m writing this on your behalf. It seems that our comments have been caught up in the ‘top 10′ list and fail to realize the situation you are in!!
    YOU HAVE TO SAVE YOUR FAMILY!!!
    Who are you really gonna pick in this game…think about it?
    What if the game was to 12, like in pick up. ones and twos? I’m sorry but you need to score Quick, which takes out a couple of people we’re arguing about.
    Better yet, if you had to pick this ten to play the game with, I hope you realize that the ones you DON’T pick, you’ll probably be playing against.
    IN THIS SITUATION: Kobe’s definately in. One word- Clutch.

  • Nathalie

    oh, yeah, thanks Mr. O’leary

  • rj

    thank u khalid for puttin it out there that hes one of the best to ever touch a ball.. haters are gonna hate but you cant argue kobes greatness..u just cant… dont do it.. stop it

  • James

    LeBron would own Kobe any day any time because he’s an amazing player and can carry an entire team on his back and Kobe can’t win without the Shaq. Shaq prove that with Wade end of story. Kobe’s just another Kevin Garnett all hype no action

  • S.K

    Kobe’s a OUTSTANDING player. he averages 29.2 ppg like 5 rpg and 1 apg. On the other hand LB James averages 25+ ppg 7 rpg and 7 apg. I the LB James will be a better player but Kobe right now is the best.

  • Sean

    Saying Kobe is better than MJ is punishable by death. Just look at one of the many ways, who has more awards? MJ is the GREATEST OF ALL TIME. NO DOUBT. FULL STOP.

  • Candice

    I rather have 47 assists and 114 pts through 4 games that was wins than 115 pts through two games.

  • Chief

    yeah, yeah whatever Koe is good, but when it’s all said and done. Jordan had two threepeats. Without shaq.
    And Chief sucks, tell your mom i said thanks for the flowers.
    it was great for me too.

  • Sherri

    lol cant help but notice James,”Kobe can’t win without the Shaq. Shaq prove that with Wade end of story. Kobe’s just another Kevin Garnett all hype no action” as i can tell ur bball IQ is tht of a 12 yr old, u havent really put forward any argument throughout except KOBE apparently is nothing w/o shaq bull shyt. i hereby advise you to do your research on KG & KOBE, & wht was ur point again when u said ‘Shaq proved tht with wade, end of story????’ am sorry am i challengin` ur 12 year old` brain alot? =]

  • rj

    yah lebron…hahahah …right buddy…wade iverson can go off? thats why they all do right? they all drop back to back 50′s its so easy…idiot

  • mark

    AIght – again Jordan is not the GOAT – WILT is – look at those stats – and remember Wilt didn’t have the advantage of stepping out and crossing someone up – he did all if his damage not against double teams but with 4 and 5 people hanging off his arms and still averaged 50 and dude went out and dominated with assists too — just because he could.

    back to KB – no way bro – no way is KB better than Jordan – this is almost a stupid conversation. How were the 80′s watered down ? Nobdoy has even mentioned Gary Payton, Ron Harper, Joe Dumars or the “Jordan Rules” the Pistons used against the Bulls – some of you cats need to hit the video store and rent “Playground”, “Hangtime”, “Michael Jordan to the Max” — man I never thought I would live to see the day when folks were already doubting Jordan… Comparing him to the Black Mamba —alleged rapist — Is this stuff for real ?
    Jordan never threw up air balls in a playoff game (see Jazz)…
    Jordan did hit threes — see Portland series
    Jordan would have had at least 9 rings if he wouldn’t have sat out for those few years — 9 rings LEADING the way — Kobe got his three following Shaq….The game is a little bit easier when you have a 350 pound giant in the paint tearing the rim down.

    Jordan changed the game … Jordan created Kobe — Spawned him if you will.

    Kobe is a great player and he will end his career with three rings. Dude will not sniff the championship game again— ever.

  • mark

    wait a minute — I get it — we are talking Wizards era Jordan right — then yes in that case Kobe right now is better than Wizards Jordan. Or is this an early April Fools ? Kobe is Xerxes to Jordan’s Leonidis

  • Chingster

    Michael Compare to Kobe Part 1

    Kobe only have edge Michael in a few games and stats
    Like 12 3s in a game to MJ 8 3s
    Like 81pts career to MJ 69 etc
    But over in a span of career in greatness
    So how can they be compare?

    Michael acheivement are much much greater.
    Where as Kobe is still young but he can never achieve what michael did
    Maybe half or a bit better than half of what MJ achieved.

    Here’s the proof

    MJ Kobe

    Nba Champion – 6 3
    Season MVP – 5 zero
    All NBA first team – 11 4
    Most scoring titles—10 once
    NBA Finals MVP- 6 zero
    time All-Star – 14 9
    all defensive 1stteam – 9 4
    defensive player- 1 zero
    rookie of yr —Yes nope
    All star MVP 3 2
    Slam dunk champ-2 once
    Career averages career averages
    30.1 / 6.2 /5.3 24.3 / 5.2/ 4.5
    steal leader 3 zero

    it’s such a distance ..if Say gilbert arenas next season scores 83 pts in a game
    and lead the league in 36pts per game…is he going to be the greatest. tat’s alot of greats that needs to be respected as well.

  • Chingster

    MJ over Kobe Part 2

    to sum it all up
    in regards to titles…becos that’s what it is all about…Kobe have shaq – MVP winner cum most dominate player in the last decade.

    MJ do have Scottie as well considered one of the best in all around skills… do take note..who is the star..

    Shaq is the star..3 time nba finals MVPs..and MJ is the star as
    well…for the 6 titles. kobe and scottie earn it due to the 2 players..

    MJ is the only player in history with titles plus numberous awards.. if you wan titles..bill rusell…if you wan stats domination, we have the late wilt.. or kareem.. clutch we have reggie miller . slam dunk we have vince carter..but if you wan all of it, it will be MJ…if you wan half of what MJ Did i will give it to kobe provided he keep it up a few more yrs…yes..it is “half” the achievement.

  • Brad

    1) MJ
    2) Kareem
    3) Magic
    4) Wilt
    5) Larry
    6) Oscar
    7) Shaq
    8) Hakeem the Dream
    9) Kobe Bryant
    10) Dr J

    The Bottom 3 could be in any order tho. They are the best all time tho

  • Andy

    Time to really stir shit up. If I had to take one player to take a shot that would save my life, I’m picking Reggie Miller.

    Oh yeah, I did…

  • Western_dream

    there is no doubt shaq would be my first pick. Not only would he win the game for me he would have the best after game quote! and just remember “That has nothing to do with basketball. That’s just because I’m sexy.”

  • http://g72boseyahoo.com gy bose

    80′s-90′s stars never would have lost to Peurto Rico or the like,PLAY WIT IT U SISSIES

  • Western_dream

    Wilt would be hard to go past though. 55 rebounds in ONE GAME. Eddy Curry struggles to rack that many up over a ten game stretch and he is the future of NBA centers (sorry Yao I am making a point). A 50 ppg season? 3 seasons with over 25 rebounds a game with a high of 27.2 in his SECOND SEASON. The man is undeniable. 118 games with over 50 points. I could go on forever but i am tired. Show some respect for history.

  • RedRum

    I agree with the list, I would only replace moses or Dr J with Duncan. There simply is not way TD, 3 rings LEADING a team, going over kobe-Shaq-Jax lakers twice (3 if it was not for the Fisher 3 pointer…) is not worthy to be in the top 10 list. Actually I will put him in my top 5 list: magic, MJ, Bird (or kobe..), TD, Shaq.

  • http://slamonline.com Ryan Jones

    Khalid, no more stat-podding columns. You’re like the Ann Coulter of basketball blogs, saying sh*t solely to get a rise out of people. Next time write about Clark Atlanta basketball or I’m gonna have Sam ban you from the site.

  • http://slamonline.com Ben Osborne

    Wasn’t last year’s Game 7 between Lakers and Suns the basketball equivalent of playing for your life? And didn’t Kobe suck? He’s an ice-cold player for sure, but he’s definitely no Jordan. Not to sound like Ryan, but I really hope the Cavs make a run this year so LeBron can re-enter this debate.

  • http://slamonline.com Ryan Jones

    Quit sounding like me, Ben.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Brad

    I would pick Jordan first, then Magic, then Kobe and the rest is history

  • Coston

    No doubt. Give em 5 more years and he’ll be in the top 5.

  • http://mybleedingfingertips.blogspot.com/ Max Airington

    JORDAN QUIT IN A GAME 7!!!! Damn.

  • Jbens

    Kobe has top ten talent no doubt, but he’s not a top ten player…yet. Every time Kobe steps on the court he’s always trying to prove a point, and unfortunately that point isn’t always about winning. One day it’s scoring, the next day it’s getting teammates involved (see game 7 last year), etc.,etc. Until Kobe becomes a stone cold winner no matter what it takes, he’s just on the fringe of the top 10.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Khalid Salaam

    I thought the blog was done when i left work last night. I’m just now seeing how much has been written. I think its cool that everybody is responding to this column although i can’t take too much credit. Kobe is as much of a lightning rod as anyone in sports period. Even more than Bonds. Just mention his name and people get crazy. Let me bring some clarity to this blog though. Please recall my initial scenario. I don’t care about top 10, just saying that he’s on that list somewhere. Just look at his total game and ability. He has no talent flaws, there isn’t anything he can’t do and do well. His flaw is in his personality. A personality thats brings word like sociopath into basketball convo’s. To each his own i guess but i try to separate a guys ability from his personality. Its hard i know but you can’t let emotions control you all the time. sometimes yeah but not all the time. then you’re just a hater. I don’t know him personally. Talked to him in locker rooms a few times and thats it. What i’m sayiing is this guy is an exceptional talent and his name has to have a place. Several of you have put together lists of who you think the best ever should consist of. Cool. I hope that when it comes to players of our parents generation you have more than just stats and word of mouth to go by. You better undertand context. Yeah i know Wilt did this and did that but if you think Shaq wouldn’t have done the same or better you are crazy. Say what you want but i put Shaq over everyone except MJ. I would not put Kobe over MJ. i would not put Kobe over Shaq either. but Kobe over Jerry West yeah. You think West could defend like KB24? Yeah ok. West is clutch fine so is kobe. dude is still only 28 who knows what the ceiling is for him. and yeah bron has all the talent in the world. but he has a lot to still do before he enters this convo. he’s still 3 rings behind kobe and light years behind in clutch ability. Sure if we’re building a team for the next 10 seasons yeah okay he’s your man. Or wade. i’m fine with that. but in my scenario? hell no. We’d be down by 2 points to the team that has my fam and bron might F around and pass me the ball. and i don’t want that.

  • Old School Baller

    It’s impossible to compare Kobe Bryant to Dr. J and other players from back in the day. You can only compare Kobe to other players of his era . . . the era of a watered down league. If these guys played back during Dr. J’s era, half of them would be in college, Europe, the CBA or playing streetball.

  • Nathan Gonzales

    You are right Kobe would be in my list but I don’t know about Dream why not Zeek who happens to be a really good scorer when need to be of course you have magic but what if you want to free Magic up to get some points Zeek could do that.

  • Sean Sheldon

    Kobe is great, but will never win another chip because he isn’t a tru leader for LA.

  • Tom

    No doubt Kobe deserves to be on that list, and for Khalid’s situation I would even put him ahead of Jordan, because even though Jordan had the fade away and the explosiveness, he never had them at the same time. He used the fade cause he understood that he’s not as explosive as he was, meanwhile I think Kobe has both of those qualities at the same time

    And for those of you who don’t think dream belongs there must be crazy, next to shaq and kareem, he’s the best I’ve ever seen. Over 2 years he didn’t just beat, but embarassed every dominant centre of the 90′s, ewing, robinson, shaq, not to mention he’s the all time leader in blocks, so he played both ends.

  • http://mak3-Marius.hi5.com mak3

    Yes !! he is in Top5 all time !! the best !

  • http://www.slamonline.com Khalid Salaam

    Thanks Tom. Quiet as its kept, Dream was the man

  • Alan

    The GOAT is Wilt. End of discussion. The many caused rule changes (widening the lane, 3 seconds in the lane). The year Will dropped 100 points in a game, he also averaged 50.4 per game. He owns the next three highest seasonal averages at 44.8 ppg, 38.4 PPG and 37.6 PPG The next closest? “Money” with 37.1 in the 1986-87 season. Rebounding average CAREER: 22.9/game (had 55 in one game).Oh yeah, and Wilt led the league in assists in 1968. Just because he could.

  • Realist

    F*cking idiots, he is top 40 at best. What exactly has he done as the #1? Oh yeah, choked away a first round playoff.

    Talk to me when he is able to win as the #1 guy, until then, he’s nothing.

  • vince

    duncan, hakeem, russel, oscar, west could all be there over kobe. even over moses maybe.

  • http://mybleedingfingertips.blogspot.com/ Max Airington

    Khalid, how can you demand more than stats and word of mouth for making the case from previous generations and then say that Shaq would’ve done the same things as Wilt? Shaq got dominated in the 96 ECF by Rodman, and was swept out of the playoffs three other times, including a domination by the Dream. You think he could’ve handled Russell and the Celtics? In a one game scenario either Dream or Russ would own Shaq. Shaq didn’t win anything until Kobe evolved as a player, so their achievements are shared in my book. He dominated ’05, probably was MVP, but no chip. The one he got was when Wade did all the heavy lifting. I dont see why Shaq is the easy pick. Or that West couldn’t play D like Kobe on today’s players? He handled HOF’ers consistently, and they’ve testified to that too many times. He can’t play today? There arent too many premier two that he couldnt handle athletically, and there’s more to defense than that anyway. He cant D up Vince Carter? Yeah VC might bang on him once or twice, but West would strip him clean in the open court just as many times. Where’s the context? Like Harlem said, it’s just plain unfair to cross eras and if you’re going to we should only go forward since the game is supposed to improve, not regress. Why isn’t Oscar Robertson still doin those numbers today? Kidd is. And didn’t you say yourself that Kobe quit in a game 7 cause he got sick of the haters? Who’s to say he wouldn’t do the same with YOUR family on the line, not his? I grew up on Michael, in the Stadium, not on TV. I want Kobe to be on that list more than anyone, but as of today I just can’t put him there so easy. Im not trying to come at you disrepectful-this is your spot and all-it’s just that now is as good a time as any to ask these questions and conversation has already been started.

  • James

    Max you should shut up about Shaq they had to change the rules for shaq because nobody could guard him so they just fouled him but I agree he’s one of those players that has to be surrounded by other good players just like Kobe

  • James

    I think the best a player that you forgot to include in your top 10 Khalid is Oscar Robertson the only person to average a triple double a whole season.

  • Chris

    Jordan came into Kobe’s era and dropped 50 at 40. Dude was killin ‘em on the Wizards.

  • Hector A.

    Just the fact that discussion i going on proves that Kobe is top 10…CASE CLOSED.

  • Whiskey

    1.mj 2.kobe 3.magic 4.shaq 5.lebron 6.bird 7.wilt 8.russell 9.duncan 10.iverson

  • jadon

    I am a kobe hater BUT I realize nobody can play better than KOBE! I am tired that no nba player can stop Kobe! so its make sense that KOBE is ONE of the TOP 10 GREATEST PLAYERS ON THE PLANET!! When Kobe is gone Everyone will realize how much they will miss a BIGGEST SUPERSTAR Like KOBE!Bec HE is the most Entertaing player in the LEAGUE!

  • sean

    With regards to comment made by Tom on him putting Kobe above MJ…that is ridiculous. MJ can do everything he wants. It is just that he has evolved into a smarter player who knows how to conserve his energy and uses them at teh correct time. There was absolutely no need for him to drive to the basketball every opportunity. Look at Chingster comment on their Stat Comparison. What were you thinking of !!?!

  • Vanilla Thunder

    I’ve seen alot of discussion about the need for complimentary players, but have also noticed that many of you list players that played together in your top 10s ie. Moses/Doc, Magic/Kareem, Wilt/West. It is possible to be great and have a great teammate is it not?

  • Ryan Z

    Can’t argue with that Kobe is just too good not to have on your list.

  • Chingster

    comparing the top players

    Incase some dudes out there have no idea…here’s some stats comparison of active so call great players to Michael

    i took the best seasons of the players

    pts rbs asst stls blk
    L James 31.4 7.0 6.6 1.6 0.8
    Kobe 35.4 5.3 4.5 1.8 0.4
    Michael 37.1 5.2 4.6 2.88 1.52
    32.5 8.0 8.0 2.89 0.8

    It’s clearly Michael is the better offensive players and distributor if he wans.. As for his defensive ability…it’s obvious to see… kobe and james is nowwhere a defensive player he is..

    Furthur more MJ have numberous seasons putting up those numbers. please go back and research properly ..then comment on if kobe is in the top 10. the answer is NO…cos there’s still plenty out there. At the most he is in top 30-35.

  • Chingster

    Since this Topic is regards if Kobe is top 10 of all time. NOOOO.
    He is not even the MVP consideration this and last year! he only boost his legacy with 3 titles thanks to Shaq, scored a 81 pts game on a lousy team with defense that changes to less intense by NBA yrs ago. a few time 1st all Nba..

    here are players in the top 10 that will not change no matter what you do in the yrs to come.
    1. MJ. 2 wilt. 3. bill rusell. 4. magic. 5. Bird. 6. Kareem. 7. oscar. 8. Shaq, 9 tim duncaN, 10..EITHER JERY WEST, BAYLOR OR PIPPEN.

    that’s still plenty out there that holds a record or another… like miller for 3pts made . stockton all time stls and asst leader.

    dun give me a player that goes solo and score tons of points making some last seconds shots then is top 10 greatnes… If that’s the case…you have to put wade, james, billups, arenas in the same breath with kobe.

    i mentioned earlier that kobe is in top 30-35..maybe i shld correct it to 25-30…..if he can maintain…his scoring average of 30 or more and winning the scoring titles a few more times…more all star app..1st nba team…a mvp perhaps with some winning seasons..say 3-4 times 50+ wins…. then ONLY he will move up to top 20-25..or max 15-20 in yrs to come.. AS of now he is somewhere on par with drexler…barkekly… thomas at the most!!! dun use the 3 titles…any more..pippen can boost he have 6…rober Horry 5..even the worm rodeman have 5!

← Older Comments
Newer Comments →
Advertisement
Counterkicks