Charles Barkley is known around the league as one who speaks his mind regardless of what others think. Since he became an NBA personality, he hasn't stopped running his mouth yet.
It usually bothers me when he makes some kind of off the wall comment about Allen Iverson. However, what I heard during a promo for the Laker/Clipper game Thursday night was too much, even for Chuck.
He said, and I quote, "Kobe Bryant, the best basketball player in the world."
I nearly swallowed my heart when I heard these words come out of his mouth. Not only did he call Kobe Bryant, my arch nemesis, the best basketball player, but in the whole world?
C'mon now. Can somebody tell me when Chuck became KB8's bitch?
I mean, seriously, Kobe already has the rest of the universe blowing his head up into the size of a hot air balloon. The last thing he needed was Charles Barkley pulling for him too, with the playoffs and such approaching faster and faster.
Obviously he's forgetting about the fact that the Lakers would still be at the bottom if it wasn't for newly traded Pau Gasol. They wouldn't even have even been in playoff contention. Even when Andrew Bynum was out of the picture, Kobe wasn't always the one getting things done for the Lakers.
Now that Bynum is working on coming back to the lineup—and the addition of Gasol—it's no longer Kobe's show. It's the supporting cast that's coming up with the wins.
So, Sir Charles wants to start running his mouth about who he thinks is the best player in the world? I got something coming for him. He forgot the rest of the list.
Here's MY list for the best 50 players in the "world" (order not important):
1. Allen Iverson—Guard, Denver2. Steve Nash—Guard, Phoenix3. Dwayne Wade—Guard, Miami
4. Dwight Howard—Center, Orlando
5. Dirk Nowitzki—Forward, Dallas
6. LeBron James—Forward, Cleveland
7. Tim Duncan—Forward/Center, San Antonio
8. Baron Davis—Guard, Golden State
9. Carmelo Anthony—Forward, Denver
10. Amare Stoudamire—Center/Forward, Phoenix
11. Josh Smith—Forward, Boston
12. Kevin Garnett—Forward, Boston
13. Ray Allen—Guard, Boston
14. Paul Pierce—Forward, Boston
15. Shaquille O'Neal—Center, Phoenix
16. Shawn Marion—Forward, Miami
17. Chris Paul—Guard, New Orleans
18. Jason Richardson—Guard/Forward, Charlotte
19. Andre Igoudala—Forward/Guard, Philadelphia
20. Emeka Okafor—Center, Charlotte
21. Ben Wallace—Center/Forward, Cleveland
22. Wally Szcerbiak—Forward, Cleveland
23. Joe Smith—Forward/Center, Cleveland
24. Jason Kidd—Guard, Dallas
25. Josh Howard—Forward/Guard, Dallas
26. Chauncey Billups—Guard, Detroit
27. Rasheed Wallace—Forward/Center, Detroit
28. Marcus Camby—Center, Denver
29. Dikembe Mutombo—Center, Houston
30. Yao Ming—Center, Houston
31. Jermaine O'Neal—Forward/Center, Indiana
32. Brandon Roy—Forward/Guard, Portland
33. Mike Bibby—Guard, Atlanta
34. Monta Ellis—Guard, Golden State
35. Elton Brand—Forward, LA Clippers
36. Pau Gasol—Forward/Center, LA Lakers
37. Lamar Odom—Forward, LA Lakers
38. Vince Carter—Guard, New Jersey
39. Richard Jefferson—Forward, New Jersey
40. Andrew Bynum—Center, LA Lakers
41. Rudy Gay—Forward, Memphis
42. Samuel Dalembert—Center, Philadelphia
43. Tyson Chandler—Center, New Orleans
44. David West—Forward, New Orleans
45. Chris Bosh—Forward, Toronto
46. Carlos Boozer—Forward, Utah
47. Gilbert Arenas—Guard, Washington
48. Caron Butler—Forward, Washington
49. Antawn Jamison—Forward, Washington
50. Tracy McGrady—Guard, Houston
*) Honorable Mention: Kobe Bryant—Guard, LA Lakers
So guys and girls of Bleacher Report, there is my composite list of the 50 greatest players of today. Comment accordingly. I'm even open to any suggestions.
If ESPN is really watching us, I hope this gets around to Chuck. It's about time someone put him in his place. I am proud to be that someone.
Guess I won't be in his fav five this time either. Sorry Chuck, your loss.
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3 months ago
How is Kobe-hating suddenly a valid argument for his talent as a player? You gotta be kidding me! I hate asparagus, but it doesn't make it any less nutritional....
Give Mitch Kupchak a call and see if he'll trade Kobe for Wally straight up, I mean Wally is like top in the world right, wow the Lakers would be DUMB not to bite on that blockbuster deal!
3 months ago
Iverson, Howard, Dirk... I just stopped reading right there. Of all the players in the NBA you had to start with those 3? What a joke. You can hate Kobe all you want but anyone who doesnt include him in the top 10 has no credibility. No one is gonna take you seriously.
from 3 months ago
did you not read my article?? ... ORDER DOES NOT MATTER!
3 months ago
Relax guys, this was filed under humor and satire. I dont get the joke though
3 months ago
Okay, blind man. It says in fine print up there: (order not important). Meaning that if this were a legitimate chronological countdown of the 50 greatest, Kobe would be there, but to say that he is the greatest basketball player in the world? That's going a little too far. In any event, the humor is that Sir Charles actually let those words come out of his mouth all week about Kobe being the "greatest basketball player in the world. This is just her list. If you think your list is better, then put it on there. But don't criticize her for having an opinion (and a good one I might add) because quite honestly, I like the Lakers, respect Kobe the athlete, but not to the point of calling him the greatest in the world. That's just dumb.
3 months ago
Steph, Steph, Steph will you ever learn?! I know you're being sarcastic when you don't include KB24 on that list, but you gotta be kidding me, right? Kobe Bryant is definitely the most talented player in the league. To say he is the best in the world is somewhat of an overstatement I admit, but if the NBA is the gold standard of basketball's elite and Kobe stands on top of that mountain, you can see what Sir Charles was thinking when he said the comment. Kobe was in the playoffs the last two years without Pau Gasol, a younger less mature Bynum, a rookie Farmar and quasi-aggressive Lamar Odom. Therefore, it's unfair to say that Gasol is the sole reason for the Lakers ascension. Kobe lost the last two years to the Suns, a team with the likes of Steve Nash(MVP those years) Amare the beast, Shawn Matrix Marion and Raja bell who actually was making shots back then, and the Lakers nearly won! Kobe is a complete superstar from his jumpshot to his defense. Stop hating on that brother, Steph! And here's a top ten for you IN ORDER:
1. Kobe Bryant, SG Lakers
2. LeBron James, SF Cavaliers
3. Chris Paul, PG Hornets
4. Allen Iverson, SG Nuggets
5. Tim Duncan, PF Spurs
6. Dwight Howard, C Magic
7. Dwyane Wade, SG Heat
8. Kevin Garnett, SF Celtics
9. Amare Stoudemire, PF Suns
10. Carmelo Anthony, SF Nuggets
There you have it. Haters can tell me I'm wrong, but opinions are like cellphones: everybody has one now lol...
from 3 months ago
Wow sam, you are great. haha your my favorite person to argue with, so fun lol. see you at school.
3 months ago
no one will ever surpass MJ, are you dumb?
3 months ago
seriously? your argument is kobe is not the greatest player in the world? your points make no sense. as an individual, kobe is. he cannot carry a team with mediocre talent to a championship. not even michael jordan, larry bird, magic johnson or wilt could have done that they all had supporting cast. as a PLAYER he is the best we have seen since michael jordan. allen iverson lacks alot of things such as defense and PRACTICE. all around kobe has got it. inside, outside, defense and passing skils. he has strength and quickness. he is the best player in the world. i mean i am not a die hard kobe fan, i love the lakers but he is not my favorite player. but i do think he is the best player and we are lucky to have him. PLUS he does deserve mvp this season. enough said, that is truth.
3 months ago
Charles Barkley has been calling Kobe the best player in the world for over two years now! I know this for a fact. I watch TNT every thursday! You'd sound a little more credibible if you said you were sick of hearing it!
Or maybe you have no idea what you are talking about! But thats not for me to say! I digress.
Kobe may not be the MVP this year but he is far and away the best talent in the league, and if there were a better player in the world right now, wouldn't he be in the elite nba making the big bucks?
Hell even Shaq has called kobe the best!!!!!
Please consider the following players for your next top 50;
Deron Williams
Manu Ginobli
Tayshan Prince
Lemarcus Aldridge
Tony Parker
Michael Redd
Hedo Turkoglou
Stephen Jackson
Rip Hamilton
Joe Johnson
These could be replacing some of your picks that make you seem ignorant to the game of basketball!
Please dont take offense to that, but some of these players you left off are too good to forget about!!!
from 3 months ago
So, to clear up any confusion, I went through and originally I had almost 100 players. I made qualifications that each position had to meet. If the player did not meet those expectations, they were left off the list. So before you call ignorant, gets your facts straight.
3 months ago
I went ahead and copied and pasted that a bunch just so you can learn some of these great players you should already know!!! keep them in mind some of them are perennial all-stars!
3 months ago
1. How is it any different calling someone the best in the nba from calling them the best in the world? Is there some super secret amazing talent somewhere who for some reason has decided not to play basketball for a living? I think it's fair to say that whoever you call the best in the nba would also qualify as best in the world. Kindof a no-brainer.
2. Why do people keep making such a fuss over Gasol in relation to the standings? Sure, it was a huge pickup that gives the Lakers tons more options on offense, but can you tell me what place the lakers were in just after Bynum went down and BEFORE they traded for Gasol? Ohh.... that's right... first in the west. I keep forgetting...
3 months ago
How do players like Wally, Mutombo, Monta Ellis, Iguodala, Okafor,Bibby, Odom and Bynum just to name a few meet certain qualifications that,
Deron Williams
Manu Ginobli
Tayshan Prince
Lemarcus Aldridge
Tony Parker
Michael Redd
Hedo Turkoglou
Stephen Jackson
Rip Hamilton
Joe Johnson
dont make? Manu is one of the best in the league, personaly I hate him but that doesnt mean I ignore his talents. Deron Williams is just as good as any pg you have on this list, but he doesnt meet your qualifications???? Rip Hamilton and Tayshan Prince for Detroit and Tony Parker and Manu for SA play for the two of the best teams of the last five or six years. Yet they dont meet your expectations????? I hate to say it but you're sounding more and more ignorant!! sorry!!! It's fine if you don't like these players, to be honest I don't either. But they are some of the best!! Maybe you should just do a personal 50 favorite players not a best 50 players. Cause you're gonna have a hard time backing up some of your picks! Or if the case, just admit you didn't do much research prior to choosing the BEST 50 players of today!!!!!
from 3 months ago
for your information, deron williams is one of my favorite players. his numbers didnt make the cut as well as the other players you mentioned. you don't have to understand why i made the list. if i was ignorant i wouldnt be on this damn site to begin with.
3 months ago
Maybe share with your readers the qualifications for your 50 best nba players! I'm intrested to see what Qualifications you are using. You're not giving any info. Which makes me think you just looked at rosters and picked 50 names. I'm not calling you ignorant, simply saying your list makes you seem ignorant to the game of Basketball. And there is nothing wrong with that. In fact I'm completeley ignorant to womens fashion, but im not ignorant!!!
3 months ago
Here are my qualifications.
Guards: 10-16 PPG as well as 7-10 APG and tiebreaker would have been total steals.
Forwards: 5-6 RPG as well as 12+PPG and tiebreaker would have been APG.
Centers: 7 BPG as well as 6-10 RPG and 8-10 PPG.
If there is still room for confusion, let me know.
from 3 months ago
What about intangibles like DEFENSE? That alone would qualify Kobe over a guy like Iverson (Who I like just as much by the way)
3 months ago
Steph said "if i was ignorant i wouldnt be on this damn site to begin with."
Wow, I never knew bleacher report was a site for elites that had some qualification exam to register! Get in touch with reality: bleacher report is a website for COMMON people, and COMMON people are USUALLY ignorant, just like your article proved for your case.
3 months ago
And for your information, the Lakers were on top of the West when Bynum went down and before Gasol came. Plus, Barkley used to be a Kobe hater couple years ago, but look at him now. It's because he sees the truth.
3 months ago
You keep discrediting yourself!!!! Deron Williams averages 19ppg and 10.6 apg.... please never write another article on basketball again! and seven blocks per game for a center Seriously stop getting drunk and writing bullshit! YOU'RE FIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HOLY SHIT I went this whole time not even mentioning that a girl has no place talking sports, but you leave me no choice!!! I am fully aware that some women know whats up when it comes to b-ball but you my friend are not one of these women! Say what you want, but please do a little more research prior to making some bullshit list and leaving the real talent off of the list! It's fine to hate Kobe but you made an ass of yourself with this list!!
from 3 months ago
And explain to me why Kobe hasn't won a championship since Shaq left? Or the fact that you will support Kobe after what he did in Colorado, but bash Vick for what he did? How about the fact that 93% of the names on that list have some pretty decent numbers, some even better than Kobe? She based her list off of the numbers, actual numbers. And yet you guys are mad at her because she speaks her mind? Face it. Bandwagon fans have no basis on this site or anywhere else. Court's adjourned. Your objection is overruled.
3 months ago
Anonymous lay off a little bro...its obvious you're a man from your comments...stop yelling the "ignorant" word to people like a buzzing fly on a 80 degree day and write an article about this yourself. We get the point that you disagree, you don't need to bury the girl on the way. Chill out, bro!
from 3 months ago
thanks sam.
3 months ago
Just as neither one of you can have the balls to actually show your mugs. You obviously are not reading the fine print since you're still complaining about the same thing. Let's be realistic about the whole thing: Kobe is one of the best players in the world, but he is not the best player in the world. In fact, since all of you are anal about this Kobe thing, get ready for another article defending this column. It's clear that if you're still being anonymous that you are just jealous about the fact that she's here and you're not. Get over it. Kobe is not the greatest in the world, and there is nothing and no one that can prove otherwise. She has the facts for it, and she decided her list. So until you think you can make a better argument than the obvious same old bs, instead of following one guy because he happens to be a Laker, try getting your facts straight.
And don't try to bash me after this. Because all you gotta do is check out how much I open Pandora's Box and know that I can make Kobe look like Ryan Leaf.
3 months ago
I do think Kobe is the best player in the world, but LeBron and KG are close. LeBron is obviously amazing and KG plays great defense and is very versatile.
3 months ago
Forget this "in the world" comparison. You can't do it, it's a meaningless endeavor.
But in the NBA
Kobe is the best.
Lebron's a near second.
3 months ago
I love Frank Caliendo doing his Charles Barkley impression. "That's just turrble. It's like a stereo, there's bass and there's turrble."
Man, he's good.
from 3 months ago
haha thanks for the comic relief! lol.
3 months ago
50 players in the NBA better than Kobe?. Wow... just... Wow... Even Kobe haters are laughing. Propaganda at it's finest.
Here's MY list for the best 50 players in the "world" (order not important):
+
Honorable Mention: Kobe Bryant—Guard, LA Lakers
=
Big LOL
Since you say you're open to suggestions, here's one. Why don't you list the reasons why those 50 players considered the "best" players in the world ahead of Kobe (being an honorable mention and all). And yes I read your article, which basically suggests that there are 50 players in the NBA more worthy of being named the greatest player of the world than Kobe (see math equation).
from 3 months ago
you obviously didnt read the article. the only reason i put kobe as n honorable mention is because its understood that hes already on the list as the whole article is about him. so i jus need to make that clear.
3 months ago
Chris Paul has nothing around him offensively, Kobe has three other players who can create their own shots in at least one way or another. David West isn't a post prescence, neither is Tyson Chandler. West is a mid-range shooter and a decent post-up guy, and Chandler's points come from alot of Chris Paul alley-oops. Peja is a catch and shoot guy, and so is Mo-Pete. Bonzi is the only player other than Paul that the Hornets have that can get anywhere off the dribble.
The Lakers have Lamar Odom, who has point-forward like skills, Pau Gasol, who has a very good post game, and when Bynum comes back, that gives them another good post game to complement Gasol. Paul has to get open shots for himself and everyone else. Kobe can just give the ball off to Odom and let him isolate on his ( usually) smaller defender or dump into the post to Gasol or Bynum. Paul has to create all of his teammates shots, and work hard every possession to do that.
3 months ago
Steph, Read this and just try to tell me it doesn't sound retarded,
"so heres the thing alex. when someone writes a column, the whole point is either to get people to totally agree with what your saying or totally dissagree with what your saying. basically, mission accomplished ... cuz i got all you guys hatin on me and that's exactly what i wanted to do."
now don't go kidding yourself either, you really think it's in your best interest to have the people who read your article think you're insane????? come on that's no way to get fans, which you are in short supply of!!!!! the point of anything we do in life is to convince people we are right, you failed miserably!!!!!!! just do a little more research and maybe proof read your next article prior to post!!!!
I'd really hate for you to post another article and get no positive feedback!!!!!
from 3 months ago
I have no fans, but what the hell do you do. You don't even write, so where do you come off telling me I don't know what I'm doing. I've yet to see any damn credentials that give you the right to bash what I'm doing here. While I create my future, you just sit back and keep commenting people's articles. That will sure get you far in life.
3 months ago
It doesn't matter what Charles says. He's only about a tenth right. Anyone remember him saying T-Mac doesn't make his team mates better? Enough said!
3 months ago
this isn't related to the article, but to the person above me who mentioned charles' comment on tmac, who actually thinks tmac makes his team mates better? i don't put too much into what charles says usually, but charles is right on about tmac. and he's right about kobe. charles was a bona fide kobe hater few years ago, too.
3 months ago
Yeah you finally got something right! I don't write!!!!! but you know what? I read and I read a lot!!!!! See I never went to college but I made a shitload of money off of mortgages and now I don't do shit!! I retired by 30!!!! so one might say I've already created my future!!!! Don't have much further to go in life!!! my money works for me now!! I admit I have no credentials to bash what you do. Only question and comment!! That's exactly what I did, if you don't like people commenting on your articles in a negative light, maybe right a better article. As I read some of the other comments I see you've got a lot of heat for this article!!! take that and learn!! Don't give up. But dont get mad when people don't agree with you.... Try to find the lesson to be learned!!!!
Scott
3 months ago
You put half the Cav's lineup on there instead of Kobe...ouch...
from 3 months ago
ya'll really arent reading my article. KOBE IS ON THE LIST. why would i put him on there when the entire article is about him. its understood that hes on there. please understand this.
3 months ago
Steph, actually you put Kobe as honorable mention... being honorable mention means he's not on the list, right????? Or did I miss his name somewhere on the list????? cause I only saw him as honorable mention.... Having him as honorable mention does not make it "understood he is on the list" it makes him honorable mention!!!! Did you not read your own article???????
3 months ago
"if ya'll are takin this as "kobe aint good" ya'll are wrong. i NEVER not once said that he wasnt any good. i just said if you're going to put him in the category as "best in the world", you better include the others too."
"ya'll really arent reading my article. KOBE IS ON THE LIST. why would i put him on there when the entire article is about him. its understood that hes on there. please understand this."
how is honorable mention being on the list? do you even know the definition of honorable mention?
do you also know what the definition of "best" is? it means there can only be one, not 50, and you made yourself a pretty sad list of players who could even be candidates for that title.
just stop. stop this. you're making yourself look more and more ignorant.
3 months ago
This was terrible, Kobe is the best player in the world, and he isn't "KB8" either, he's 24 now, and im not sure what you have against him, i mean, im not a Kobe fan but fact is fact. He is the best. Lebron might be if he had a brain, but unfortunatly he doesnt, Kobe is no question the best in the world.
3 months ago
"I'm not smart? first of all ... ya'll aint smart ... because ive been saying that a millions times that the order is not important ... n kobe is not included on the list becasue the entire article is about him and its understood that he belongs there ... another thing ... i called him KB8 to prove a point ... that people still get pissed when people refer to him with his old number.
one last thing ... your LT is not the REAL LT."
hey steph, YOU"RE the one who's not smart. don't you get it? it doesn't MATTER if order matters or not here. the fact that you put 50 players above kobe is the most stupid thing ever done. it's understood that he belongs there? why do you keep contradicting yourself? he's obviously NOT on your list.
"Obviously he's forgetting about the fact that the Lakers would still be at the bottom if it wasn't for newly traded Pau Gasol. They wouldn't even have even been in playoff contention. Even when Andrew Bynum was out of the picture, Kobe wasn't always the one getting things done for the Lakers."
why are you making up your own facts? did you already forget that the lakers were one of the top teams in the west EVEN BEFORE PAU? and that even just after bynum went down and before pau came that kobe was still keeping the lakers afloat, and when pau later went down so that both bynum and pau were out again, kobe led the lakers to beat utah and dallas? just stop lying to everyone about facts to make kobe look bad. you're obviously either mentally challenged or really dishonest
3 months ago
To all the anonymous cowards out there (and yes, that's who you guys truly are):
This is by far the dumbest thing you idiots have ever done. It takes real nuts to pick on someone with an opinion. You guys really hurt my feelings with your comments on my IQ (notice the sarcasm, morons?). Let's be realistic: All of you need to jump off of Kobe Bryant's nutsack and realize that he is not the greatest of all time, greatest of this era, greatest in the world, hell not even the greatest on the toughest streetball block in Brooklyn. As far as this last waterhead and his "Sex and The City" Comment, what self respecting man would be watching Sex and The City (who is still straight)?
Only one of two things come to mind when I think of all of you. You either thrive on anonymity or you are too scared to let yo momma put you in your place, which is why you remain anonymous cowards. I don't care what any of you wannabe goons say or think. Picking on someone with an opinion is ridiculous, and until you do that, I hope that you never grace this site with your ignorance again.
Because quite simply, I think I'm losing IQ points just trying to fathom a world full of assclowns like you. As far as Kobe surpassing the real greatest of all time, Michael James Jordan, don't hold your breath. Because Kobe can't even hold MJ's jockstrap from the first World Championship.
3 months ago
OK, how old is that photo of Sir Charles because he hasn't been that thin since his retirement!
3 months ago
ron, it's not really that you hate people bashing this writer for having an opinion. you just hate the fact that people are bashing the writer's anti-kobe opinion. you had a chance to sound more intelligent than this writer if you had supported your anti kobe case with valid ideas and analysis, but you didn't even come close to that, which makes you as much of a moron as the writer.
3 months ago
isn't it funny how ron can't even defend all the rebuttals against his comments, so he just huffs and puffs about how stupid and cowardly everyone is, or this and that? hahah...not really surprising given that even his first attempts at making an argument aren't even coherent or cogent. he probably will try to make a counter argument but i'm sure it'll be filled with holes as usual! lol
3 months ago
You have to be joking steph, Kobe is amazing and Barkley is a great guy, Kobe is no question the best in the world with Lebron closely followed, and to have those top fifty players ahead of him even if tehre in "no particular order" is absolutely insane. Kobe is a better person and player then your gun waving at partys AI
about 1 month ago
Now that Kobe has made it to the Finals, and LeBron and C-Paul are watching the Finals on TV, we won't be seeing much out of this writer anytime soon. I'm not defending Kobe, but he will truly be put to the test against the New Boston Three Party. If he wins, the debate is over, but if he loses, he will officially be suffering from the infamous Heisman Curse. Look it up if you're confused. Guess she's got the Red Sox to look forward to...if they can stop fighting each other.
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