Kobe Bryant Is the Greatest Basketball Player of All Time

Dedicated to the doubters and haters of Kobe Bryant...

In the history of basketball, stars seem to pop out everywhere.

What separates these stars from one another is their heart, dominance and ability to win championships.

Players that come to mind are Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan.

But I've now officially put Kobe Bryant on this list, and judging by the title of this article, it is clear I'm not just saying he belongs with these players.

No.

Kobe Bryant is the greatest and most legendary of all these players.

Bill Russell is a winner, but Kobe is a better player than him, being dominant on both sides of the floor throughout his career (Bill Russell was primarily a defender).

Wilt Chamberlain was dominant on both sides of the floor, but only won two championships which, as most people will tell you, shouldn't have happened.

Kobe's won five.

Next.

Jerry West was clutch. Kobe is Clutch. Jerry won one championship. Kobe's won five (and counting).

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a good offensive and defensive player. Nobody doubts that. He won six championships. Again, not arguable.

But I think we will all agree that he was not a very exciting player, and that's necessary to be at the top of this list.

Magic Johnson represents excitement. He lead the Showtime Lakers to five titles.

But again, Kobe Bryant seems to have been there and done that.

Larry Bird was a good shooter and was the reason the Celtics won three championships.

Kobe is just as good on offense (if not better).

Michael Jordan is Kobe's toughest competition.

My point is Michael Jordan had that supporting cast.

Kobe Bryant's had about five different supporting casts.

One has to wonder, if Kobe and Shaq stuck together, could they have matched (or beaten) Jordan's championship total? If Kobe would have played with Shaq during Shaq's demise, would he have won more MVP trophies?

Well, that didn't happen, so I have to justify this article with the fact that everything Michael did, Kobe did better.

Kobe's championships were tougher to earn. Kobe was just one of many MVP candidates (LeBron, Steve Nash, Tim Duncan, Dwayne Wade, Dirk Nowitzki).

Kobe is exciting, clutch, dominant on defense and offense, a winner and a global phenomenon.

Well, that's my justification.

From,

Grant Taylor