Friday, December 7th, 2012 at 10:25 am  |  155 responses

Jerry West Considers Kobe Bryant the Greatest Laker Ever


It’s a never-ending debate: who is the greatest Los Angeles Laker of all time? The choices are plentiful — Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and a few others could all make the claim — but according to Jerry West, the title goes to the Black Mamba. Per USA Today: “West, the former Lakers general manager who brought Bryant to Laker Land as a rookie in 1996 by way of the trade with the Charlotte Hornets for Vlade Divac, would consider Bryant the best Laker of all time even if he quit tomorrow. His sentiment echoed that of Magic Johnson, the five-time champion who reiterated his stance on ESPN on Wednesday night that Bryant was the best of all the Lakers. West, who is now a consultant for the Golden State Warriors, said he viewed Abdul-Jabbar and Chamberlain differently because they didn’t play their entire careers with the Lakers but he clearly sees Bryant above Johnson and himself on the Lakers’ long list of greats. ‘What he has accomplished with this team, I don’t think there’s any question in my mind at this point in time – because of him being with this team for his whole career – that he has been the greatest Laker player,’ West – who earned 14 All-Star berths, one championship, one MVP and made nine Finals appearances – said. ‘I do think he’s the greatest Laker player we’ve ever seen.’ As for the scoring record and whether Bryant will pursue it, West doesn’t see him chasing the mark unless he’s still playing at the highest level. ‘The one thing he’s been able to avoid are really serious injuries,’ West said. ‘That is a factor in anyone’s success…(But) he’s not going to go out there and play – like a lot of guys do – past their prime, trying to chase a record. I don’t think that’s who he is, at the end of the day. I just think that he’s just one of those guys who loves to compete, loves to win, understands that he’s been doing it for so long, at a high level, and now the team hasn’t played as well as (they were expected to). Does that wear on him? I’m sure. And then having you guys ask him the question, ‘How long will you play?’ I think he’ll play as long as he feels like he can play like he is right now, and then he will move away from it.’”

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  • Conor

    Who can see a Kobe situation “subjectively”? You mean, from your point of view? LOL

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mike-Gilbert/100001749589586 Mike Gilbert

    I just don’t see how Kobe is greater than Kareem in any way

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mike-Gilbert/100001749589586 Mike Gilbert

    don’t even try with this dude….ignores/misinterprets any points you make so it is nearly impossible to have a logical argument with him.

  • LakeShow

    Greater Laker.

  • http://twitter.com/Jzakoni Sanchez

    can’t go wrong with kobe

  • http://twitter.com/Jzakoni Sanchez

    this man is historic

  • ByAnyMeansNecessary

    I had a few names on the old site. It’s not on me to prove anything to you. Check the archives if they exist and look for yourself. If you were commenting during those years, chances are great you actually agreed with me while I was arguing for Kobe against LeBron.

  • RKJ92

    Why is this even an arguement between Kobe and Magic with jumpman? you of all people should know the 2 greatest Lakers were Kareem Abdul-Jabaar and Magic Johnson hands down, they were amazing..

  • http://www.facebook.com/evan.boland Evan Boland

    Agreed. I’d have him a bit higher, though. I’d say 7-9. The thing that brings him down to me as that he’s never been able to prove the ability to really elevate a team to a level they shouldn’t be at. Magic did this as a rookie. Shaq did this. LeBron won how many games in Cleveland? With an awful roster. Kobe had a comparable roster and missed the playoffs. Still, he’s my favorite player, because of his work ethic and passion he demonstrates on the court. That’s what I love to see. The fact that I’m a Lakers fan doesn’t hurt lol.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    i do believe each has a different meaning (even though i mix them up on occassion) —-
    .
    how i define them is, “greatest” would be those that accomplished the most or did the best over the sum of their career (with extenuating circumstances to be considered, like the Kobe Longevity vs Magic’s shorter “more prestigious” career) while “best” are who was the most dominant/good at a single point (in their prime).

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    certainly not you. so you don’t really have anywhere to bring up anything Laker and subjectively related in the same sentence. Bye

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    that’s fair.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    Kobe was a better LAKER then Kareem. Sorry.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    no he didn’t. specifically 2001. 2000 he was great. 2001 he seemed to have realized how good he was offensively and slacked…..until the playoffs – then he was a monster again — until game 1 of the finals, when Iverson happened. Then 02 and 03 (03 less so) he was really good again. And 04 his ego really really really kicked in and he was erratic in the least.
    .
    i mean back when i really really had favorite players, Kobe was my dude. i’m pretty certain i can summarize every year of his career except the lock-out season. i honestly don’t feel there is a person around who has a more realistic view on Kobe’s career then I do as conceited as that is. I don’t like the Lakers, at all. I love Kobe as a player. But I don’t let that affect how i view him compared to others, even a little.

  • LakeShow

    Riveting. Absolutely riveting.

  • LakeShow

    It would take me forever to find you say something positive about Kobe. Because there isn’t a place where you did. Hence why you can’t show me.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    i understand having Kobe as high as 8. there are 7 guys who to me, are unquestionably better then Kobe,

    -MJ

    -Russell

    -KAJ

    -Wilt

    -Magic

    -Shaq

    -Duncan
    ……………………………………………………………………………………….

    in terms of greatness, i would take Shaq and Duncan as unquestionably “greater” because many of you would argue that, but to me personally? there isn’t a question there either.

  • Stephen A. Smith

    If Magic Johnson as well as Jerry West say Kobe’s the greatest Laker ever than he is, there is no argument, point blank period.

  • EJ

    I think longevity does play a part in it. Kobe’s stats would obviously be better if he just played during his prime. So to just look at the stats without taking age into consideration is ridiculous, as is just looking at the career point totals while dismissing the amount of games and minutes played.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    there is no player who only played during their prime first of all. and you can’t take a 12 year stretch at any point in Kobe’s career that is more impressive then Magic’s 12 year entire career, so there goes that too.

  • http://twitter.com/Jzakoni Sanchez

    yezzir!

  • bill

    Too bad Magic didn’t join the Lakers at 18.

  • Sérgio

    I think Magic’s stats benefit hugely from him having to retired abruptely. As a result of that, when he retired it could be argued that he was still in his prime.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    Look what Magic did as an overweight 36 year old who hadn’t played in 4+ years man.

  • RKJ92

    I wanna pour acid on my eye’s for reading that from you… lol

  • Junior Taylor

    Unfair. How has Kobe accomplished more than Magic when Earvin won more MVPs, Final MVPs and dominated his era more than Kobe has his?

  • Caboose

    Kobe has more accolades. Magic had the greater career. Meaning: Kobe has way more All Defensive Team selections. They’re tripe, but he has more accolades than Magic. (Magic is #4 on my all time list, Kobe is around 10 or 11).

  • http://www.facebook.com/koombuy.pride Koombuy Pride

    Duncan ahead of Kobe is laughable

    If your gonna discredit Mamba because he played 17 seasons you have to also look at it that when he retires he will retire as being an elite player for two decades.

    Magic dominated for one decade in the 80′s with the league in decline because of the lack of TALENT and superstars and all Magic had to do was get through a less superior athlete in Larry Bird and the Celtics.

    Great career and story, but overrated slightly.

    From 1998-2012 Kobe has been a top 5 player. He was handed the keys as the future as the NBA in at the All Star game 1998 the year MJ retired.

    The only two things you claim against Mamba can be said for MJ !!

    1: Didn’t make his teamates better.
    Which is wrong because they both led by example in how to prepare to be a champion, which is an off-court assist more valuable than on-court.
    You have a player in Kobe who doesn’t party with teamates, takes EVERY practice and workout seriously, compared to someone like Magic who joked around a lot and liked to party. I’m not saying Magics way was bad, but Kobe’s approach made his teammates better whether you admit it or not.

    2: Wasn’t the defensive player he gets credit for.
    Let me tell you something. You don’t mess up on an award 12 times.
    You might not think of Mamba as a lock down defender but nobody goes at Kobe thats not a superstar and says, “O ima take this guy tonight. ” In the playoffs Kobe has been an elite defender. That’s what is remembered and gets you 5 rings and 7 finals appearances. plus 12 all NBA defensive.

    Plus Kobe has a shot at a title THIS YEAR! His legacy is not done. But he is a top 5 lock all ready. Deffently ahead of Magic, Shaq, and(lol) Duncan

    You were begging for someone to prove it to you, this should.

  • everynowhere

    I believe he deserved to be on all-defensive team the years i stated before. Some of those years he got second team. some of them were first team. Based on voting from reputation we can argue he was overrated and selected first team but even if they didn’t overrate him he would have at least been on the second team.

    i’m a bulls fan which automatically makes me a jordan fan. i don’t like how he imitated jordan’s mannerisms but i like how he imitated his work ethic if that makes sense. Kobe 17th season in the L and remaining elite is truly inspiring. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy watching kobe play ball but as a person i hate him and hate the lakers so i don’t root for him. I don’t have a bias towards him which is why i’m waiting for him to retire to decide who the greatest laker is.

  • everynowhere

    so doesn’t that make him the greatest laker? jk

  • Conor

    Magic>Kobe>Kareem>West in terms of Laker legacy.

    Once Bryant retires, he will, inarguably, be the greatest.

  • Junior Taylor

    Come on now…you should know by now that I’m not one to be impressed by Kobe’s all-defensive team selections. About 5-6 of those are undeserved. Kobe is a better defender than Magic but Magic wasn’t a slouch on that end and in terms of the offensive end, Magic has that one in the bag.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    Do you realize the all-defensive team is the 4 best perimeter defenders in the whole league. It’s not a given that just because he was good that he deserves the honor.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    You are extremely ignorant. Frankly I don’t have the energy to waste explaining rudimentary sh*t to you. Calling Jordan an overrated defender is so extremely ignorant. Google Something. Anything. and go away.

  • http://twitter.com/El_Black_Mamba Oscar Carrillo (O.C)

    No bird?

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    I personally have Bird higher. But I respect the argument for Bryant so I didn’t list it. Just like Oscar Robertson, Hakeem, and Moses who I also have over Kobe all-time

  • everynowhere

    Haha yes I realized that.

  • Flight

    NBK, are you ignorant or just bias? Can you read? Magic said himself that Kobe is greater, I think he would know. Longevity is to be celebrated, it speaks of determination and work ethic. Kobe is going for his eighth finals appearance…let’s count…1…2…3…4…5…6….7….8

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    Magic also said LeBron would never win a title. The guy is a bad analyst and doesn’t think before he speaks. .
    Oh and speaking if finals appearances, Magic went to 9…….in 12 years dummy, not 8 in 17. Good try tho
    Sent from right behind you.

  • Caboose

    No no, you misunderstand. I agree, those selections are worthless. But purely ON PAPER, Kobe has done more IN A LAKERS JERSEY than anyone else. On the all time list, he’s the 4th (maybe 5th) best guy to ever play for LA.

  • flight

    Magic made the comment is gest after Lebrons 9th straight post season failure. He may or may not be a bad analyst but I would take a personal opinion of his own career who is humble enough to admit the truth then someone who surfs basketball-reference.com. If you want to play that game let’s take a look at Wade sub par season compared to and Kobes mvp record season after you were dumb to several time state Wade was better. Sticking to your guns hot shot? Yes we don’t have a short memory. Think before you post, this is the internet and you look stupid to a lot of people. Show respect where it is due.

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    You should see if Kobe’s ever started a season like this before….check last year, maybe that’ll help. .
    Same goes for Wade.
    .
    But as I already told Lakeshow, and am now wasting my time tellin you, I wouldn’t be surprised if Kobe does keep this up now that he’s playing for D’Antoni, and will gladly admit if Kobe has a better season. I don’t care if my predictions turn out wrong. Lol, and there is no disrespect in disagreeing with someone. All that hot air in your chest going to your brain when you type these comments? “Think before you post” – hello pot.

  • http://www.facebook.com/shooting.guard.319 Shooting Guard

    I will not comment on this one, sorry.

  • Bored

    perfectly said.

  • jgf

    Kobe probably has every right to claim this. Logically- Rationally, that is- statistically- he has every factor in his favour.

    BUT

    Magic , is , was will always be- Magic. no other laker capture the hearts and imaginations of fans worldwide like Magic. Kobe is big- but was never the most popular or loved guy, never the most charismatic or even innovative or particularly original. he was just the best.

    So in my head – it s kobe- but in laker hearts- it will always be magic.

    put another way- kobe supporters will always point to numbers, but magic supporters will and can always point to moments. and to me- moments , memories are what stick

  • asd

    in other words- can anyone point to a signature playoff moment where kobe really just really took over the league- and the imagination of the world and said this is my moment- this is my game?? not really for me- not really a magic skyhook moment, or a magic at centre as a rookie, or a magic all star moment- or a magic versus michael showdown, none of that. he s had some big games- but his career has been more the stacking of consistently great games over the other- which is fine, but magic- well was simply magic. what more can you say ? you cant define it- you cant explain it- otherwise it wouldnt be magic. itd be science. thats what it is . science- versus magic. kobe makes you shows you whats possible- the limits of it. but magic shows you the impossible.

  • http://www.facebook.com/shooting.guard.319 Shooting Guard

    I will not comment on this, sorry

  • danpowers

    lol

  • GEE

    MAKE YOUR COMMENTS WHEN ITS ALL SAID AND DONE. KOBE HAS 3 YEARS LEFT IN HIS TANK.

  • The Seed

    Kobe is the greatest Laker, Magic said it, West said it, The Seed said it and the poll on First Take said it. BOOK IT!!

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