Monday, October 27th, 2008 at 8:01 am  |  1,116 responses

SLAMonline Top 50: Kobe Bryant, no. 1

The definitive ranking of the best players in the NBA today…

by Ryan Jones

So: Is he? Is Kobe Bryant, right now, the best basketball player alive?

Sure.

He is, without question, a very good basketball player. He is tall. He runs fast, and he SLAMonline Top 50: Kobe Bryant, no. 1jumps high. He makes a lot of baskets, and he possesses a “high basketball IQ.” Among the rest of the basketball players playing basketball in the NBA today, his “skill set” is arguably unsurpassed. He does, in other words, most of the things involved in playing basketball better than do most other basketball players. No. 1 seems about right.

Who might be better? Probably no one. There are only a handful of basketball players in the “who’s the best basketball player” conversation, and arguably only one in legitimate contention, but the case for that basketball player has had numerous holes poked in it. A lot of those pokes have been valid. So, maybe consensus is easily reached: There is no basketball player who is clearly better at playing basketball than is Kobe Bryant.

Ergo, Kobe Bryant is the best basketball player.

And yet.

A rehashing of Kobe Bryant’s myriad and widely documented “issues” would be overkill here. It does seem worth mentioning, however, that Kobe Bryant was rarely the best basketball player on the court during the 2008 NBA Finals, and only very occasionally the best basketball player on his own team during the 2008 Summer Olympics. For someone “widely” considered to be the best basketball player on the planet, these are pretty strong indictments re: his best-basketball-player status.

But, again, when debating the topic of who the best basketball player is, there is no clear-cut “better” option. There is only preference.

As in, Which basketball player would you RATHER have to start a basketball-playing team?

Or, Which basketball player does the most to make their basketball-playing teammates better?

Or, Whose shoes are hotter?

Or, Who seems like less of a dick?

Fair questions all, but they boil down to opinion, not fact. Which is fine.

The world works this way.

So, one more time: Is Kobe Bryant the best basketball player in the NBA today?

Yes. If you think so.

Want more of the SLAMonline Top 50? Check out the archive.

  • Add a Comment
  • Share
  • RSS

Tags:

← Older Comments
Newer Comments →
  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com Eboy

    Yup.

  • http://fashionsensei.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/jackie-moon.jpg Jackie Moon

    Kobe passed Grant Hill

  • Robert

    It was great article and the choice for no.1 is legitimate and I say that not as a Kobe fan. But I thought Ryan could have done a better article than this. Because no offense, the writing of Russ was just better.

  • http://shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ Tariq al Haydar

    I like this piece. The Farmer makes some pretty good points:

    - The other sh*t surrounding Kobe shouldn’t matter when we talk about Kobe the player.
    - It is indisputable that Kobe is ARGUABLY the best basketball player on the planet.
    - The argument for Bron as the best can be made, but is not quite as strong as Kobe’s case at this point in time.
    - If you really want to rate Bron above Kobe, you can.
    - Ryan Jones isn’t particularly fond of Kobe Jellybean Bryant.

  • josesito

    i dont wanna wait …….for my life to be over…..

  • http://si damascus

    black mamba,u sound like u only think kobe can get only 2 more rings…why u doubting… i think kobe can get more than 2… i say 3 or 4 at max

  • jdn41

    im still pissed that bosh is lower than melo

  • jdn41

    and i dont even think jordans team couldve beat this years boston look at the match ups

  • LordKratos08

    “and i dont even think jordans team couldve beat this years boston look at the match ups”

    It is tough to compare two eras because of how much the game has changed. I think MJ would have been more dominant now because of the handcheck rule and I think nobody on the 2008 Celtics Championship team can guard MJ during his prime. Don’t ever think of discussing the G.O.A.T in the same line with this year’s Boston team. Just like what MJ told Ray Allen, “If you only got one, that means you’re lucky” Just go and ask Gary Payton.

    But the luckiest guy so far in the NBA in recent years, that man has to be James Posey.

    And oh, I agree with the Mamba being on top. But it’s not all about him anymore. Gasol should learn to be tough and also play with Andrew Bynum. Can’t wait for the game to start. I like the Suns in the West as well as the Hornets and The Cavs in the East as well as Boston. Here’s hoping and crossing my fingers that the Injury Bug will not bite this early. My two cents….

  • Kamran

    finally! thnx ryan for KNOWING kobe is better than lebron!

  • Jof

    reading the post, it’s friggin obvious ryan jones wasn’t convinced..

    why even write the article in the first place? instead of substance, we get starch.. considering this is the piece for “the best basketball player,” regardless if it was KB or LBJ or whoever..

    seriously, if you’re not convinced, you shouldn’t be writing it.. might as well write a piece that vilifies Kobe 100%..

  • Maria Callas

    KOBE!!KOBE!!KOBE!!!

  • G-UNOT KILLA

    Spider Loc Dunked on Kobe during the Crips Basketball Tournament 2 yrs ago. Monster Cody was in attendance!

  • Pingback: Quem é o melhor? « LakersBR - O site de noticias do Los Angeles Lakers no Brasil

  • Sam

    That was a lame article.

  • http://www.nba.com B.I.G.

    That was a lame article.
    Kobe deserves that spot.
    Whoever wrote this is a kobe hater, and only did it because its his job. Disappointing.
    If you want people to believe he is the best basketball player, you have to proove it, not just say it. He IS the best, and maybe even the best of all time(in your own opinion), I think he is as great as Micheal Jordan, or Better.
    This was a waste of time.
    Everybody knew kobe was #1, but people wanted to hear why?
    Why he is the one.
    Why he has been the one for a long time.
    why he deserves this.
    His clutch ability.
    He is beyong clutch.
    His 81 point game.
    His 12 3-Pointers.
    His All-Star Streak.
    His MVP.
    His 2 All-Star MVPs.
    His 3 rings.
    His ability to single handidly control a game’s outcome.
    His streak on the All-NBA 1st team.
    His streak on the all NBA defensive team.
    He is THE ONE.
    For a Reason.
    You couldn’t state that reason.

  • Maria Callas

    KOBE!!KOBE!!KOBE!!!!!!

  • kenle

    yes,kobe is the best i hope he get the champion.

  • Cupcake

    Shoulda put MJ number 1 just to shut everyone up.

  • Maria Callas

    KOBE!!KOBE!!!KOBE!! !!!

  • Tracy

    kobe~kobe~

  • Tracy

    uh.i think kobe is the best one

  • Pingback: Une Semaine de Basket - 27 octobre au 2 novembre 2008 | Basketsession

  • mdb123

    ryan jones is lame, dude cant even come up with a response after he writes a lame ass article that doesnt even acknowledge kobe as the best player. despite ranking him number 1.

  • Trashcan

    All BS aside – I’m not here to debate who should be number one or if Kobe is justified taking the top spot – but its hard to ignore the half arse job by the writer. Did Ryan Jones type this up 5 mins before the article deadline?

  • http://hibachi20.blogspot.com/ Moose

    I think that Moose is the best basketball player in the world. Not Kobe. I think that Moose is the best basketball player in the world. Not Kobe. I think that Moose is the best basketball player in the world. Not Kobe. I think that Moose is the best basketball player in the world. Not Kobe. I think that Moose is the best basketball player in the world. Not Kobe. I think that Moose is the best basketball player in the world. Not Kobe. I think that Moose is the best basketball player in the world. Not Kobe. I think that Moose is the best basketball player in the world. Not Kobe. Or LeBron. Or Garnett. Or Paul. Or Duncan. Or Pierce. Or Deron. Or Wade. Moose is the best basketball player in the world. And he was here on December 21st. This will be the last comment on this post saying the truth.

  • Rob Wells Jr.

    Dwade

  • http://www.bebo.com/SupahhHuman Brandon

    I think that Moose is the best basketball player in the world. Not Kobe. I think that Moose is the best basketball player in the world. Not Kobe. I think that Moose is the best basketball player in the world. Not Kobe. I think that Moose is the best basketball player in the world. Not Kobe. I think that Moose is the best basketball player in the world. Not Kobe. I think that Moose is the best basketball player in the world. Not Kobe. I think that Moose is the best basketball player in the world. Not Kobe. I think that Moose is the best basketball player in the world. Not Kobe. Or LeBron. Or Garnett. Or Paul. Or Duncan. Or Pierce. Or Deron. Or Wade. Moose is the best basketball player in the world. And he was here on December 21st. This will be the last comment on this post saying the truth.

  • http://www.myspace.com/makaveli_theking john

    kobe is the best IN THE PLANET EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT………………………………

  • CL SMOOTH

    I tried to be quiet.I was hoping the powers that be at SLAM would put down the Patron and revisit this top 50 list, but, they seem satisfied to let it stand and just like Steph I gotta throw my two cents in…
    WTF!?!?!?
    I’m only going to address the 8th position.My rationale mind can accept KOBE at number 1, and DUNCAN is the best p.f. ever, even though I like KG more. I love CP, he’s the best pg in the league and reminds me of my favorite p.g. of all time, Zeke, but he’s not better than WADE so slide Flash up to fifth and move CP to 6th and I’m good. If this list is based on THIS SEASON and isn’t some lifetime achievement award then NASH has to go. Paul is good at 7th but the 8th spot is where the problem is. If this about THIS SEASON Joe Johnson should be at number 8. He’s better than everybody you have ranked ahead of him outside of the top 7. He’s a beast on o and is a good defender. He’s the Hawks first scoring option, he also is their primary playmaker and he gets it done every night. I know SLAM just gave him some ink but he’s better than these guys, the only argument would be if t-mac was healthy but he’s not and DOUBLE J is. Give that man his respect

  • http://yahoo.com damon

    The Truth

  • http://hibachi20.blogspot.com Moose

    Why, thank you Brandon.

  • http://Youtube.com Thomas

    I dissagere Jordan should be #1

  • http://Youtube.com Thomas

    I dissagere Jordan should be #1

  • michael jeffrey jordan

    kobe’s no. 1.. the best.. u jst hate him coz he beats ur guy, coz he beats ur team. if u cant accept it, then dnt talk about him. lebron is in the right track but kobe is the best. lebron will get his turn on his own time. kobe is the best basketball player in the world.

  • http://slamonline.com/online/nba/2008/10/slamonline-top-50-kobe-bryant-no-1/ jamej

    i read somewhere in there that someone thinks that kobe is better than jordan. not gonna happen. he is skill wise the closest thing we may ever have to him, but someone spelt it out with all jordans awards and stuff but the thing is that you have to look at the fact that he might have been able to keep the streak of championships going if he didnt leave the game and he won MVP, led his bulls team to the best record in NBA history, and won a championship on basically all new players than the ones he had in his previous championships (exception Pippen) and he hadnt played in the NBA for all that time and comes in and accomplishes that. he is crazy

  • http://slamonline.com/online/nba/2008/10/slamonline-top-50-kobe-bryant-no-1/ jamej

    i am a big kobe fan, tho he is amazing but mj is still somehow better

  • http://yahoo migs

    Dam right know i think either d-wade or LeBron should be number one. LeBron is putting his team on his soulders and taking them to the best recoed in the NBA. And D-Wade well hes averaging almost 35 pts a game in the last 19.

  • DenaBoy

    the best to ever play the game

  • gage barrios

    but…but…steve nash is my hero =’(

    let me go home now and cry myself to sleep!!!!!!

  • Darren

    Top 10 NBA Players
    1. Lebron James
    2. Dywane Wade
    3. Kevin Garnett
    4. Kobe Bryant
    5. Chris Paul
    6. Deron Williams
    7. Carmelo Anthony
    8. Danny Granger
    9. Paul Pierce
    10. Devin Harris or Kevin Durant

  • J-Mac

    Yep. Kobe number 10. He deserves it he is the GOAT. Now, i’m just waiting for all the pathetic LeTravel/MJ fans to hate…..

  • Lee

    Kobe is a better player than Most in the NBA but Lebron and Wade are gonna make a strong case for themselves very soon.

  • Clyde

    That KEV dude need to check the record book on Kobe -vs- Labron

    …and Darren I will go with Kevin Garnett ONLY because he got that ring against him… But Labron and Dywane have to show me the rings this year.

  • Clyde

    KOBE IS A POLISHED VERSION OF MICHAEL! I’M A JORDAN FAN TO THE HEART, BUT IF ALL THE EXPERTS SAY KOBE IS THE BEST IN THE GAME THAN HE IS! PEOPLE HAVE A PERSONAL THING AGAINST MR. BRYANT GET OVER IT! HE’S ON TOP NOW SO STAY TUNED!!

  • http://yahoo 江南

    科比确实太厉害了，半人半神。

  • paul muwanguzi (hoop breaker!)

    thats my boy,all the way Kobe….it will take a while to find some one beta than him….i hope it will be me replacing him…watch the space…hehehehe.lol…

  • erick jackson

    this is BS….Lebron is the best player in the nba easy….and guess what people..he is only 23. Most people reach there prime at 26-29. Lebron is going to rule the nba

  • http://GOOL.COM Ray RAY G

    Hell yeah # 1 all day KOBE

  • Okene Webilor Edward

    No player in the world today living is compared to Micheal Jordan than 1 man, his name is Kobe Bryant. He is the best ball player in the planet, look at what he has gone thru in his life and he is still standing stronger than ever in the game today. Lebron, Wade, Carmelo and Chris paul are all great players but they are still far from what Kobe has achieved as a player and what he represents. God bless the Nba and God bless Basketball.

← Older Comments
Newer Comments →
Advertisement