Now that Kobe has won one without Shaq, the big question hangs out there: Does Kobe crack the list of the top-ten all-time greatest pro hoopers? Well...
No.
Granted, this is one man’s judgement. And that one man based that judgement on the following variables:
> Stats
> All-around game (i.e., both ends of the floor)
> Impact on his team
> Level of dominance within his era
> Ultimate success (i.e., NBA/ABA rings, NCAA championships, Olympic medals, etc.)
By those measures — granted, not the most quantifiably sound, but still — I came up with eleven names before I got to Jellybean’s son. Behold:
1. MJ
2. Wilt
3. Russell
4. Kareem
5. Bird
6. Big O
7. Magic
8. Shaq
9. Duncan
10. Doc
11. Dream
12. Kobe
All right, Umi. Tell me why I’m wrong.
-G
P.S. Let me say pre-emptively that while Dream has two against Kobe’s four, Kobe wasn’t integral to his team’s success until 2000-01. From Game 2 on, Kobe was a monster in that series (it still pains me to remember). The first two rings he more or less earned on Shaq’s back (and remember, he was a downright CHOKE as a young pro). Also, Dream’s Rockets played during the Jordan era, and were only able to grab their rings during MJ’s temporary retirement. You think Kobe’s sitting with four rings if he came into the L in 1984? No way.
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Well, you knew Dream was the weakest case amongst the group to be placed above Kobe. Despite your argument on his behalf (and by the way Dream my favorite center of all time), he can't get on the All-Time list ahead of Kobe. Not when he would have had no rings if Mike was playing.
The element, among the ones you've selected, that makes the strongest argument on Kobe's behalf is "dominance within his era". Kobe, not AI or anyone else, is the player of his era. Dream was the best center of his era in my opinion, but Mike was clearly better and you could make arguments for other guys as well. Kobe, for the past 6 years has been the best player in the game. And despite contradicting proclamations regarding the King, he still is. At least today. And you know I'm not saying that just cus he won the Championship. Had LBJ carried the weak Cavs all the way through, there'd be no discussion. However, Kobe is, and has been the best all around player in the game. There's no weakness in his on-the-court game. Bron Bron has several.
Here's what I'll say about the Kobe wouldn't have won without Shaq therefore he wasn't that good argument, that I'm tired of hearing. Shaq wouldn't have won without Kobe. MJ wouldn't have won without Pip. It's a stupid argument. Kobe and Shaq both had the two most important roles on three championship teams. Bird had Chief, McHale, Ainge and DJ. Magic had Kareem, Worthy, Scott and Cooper. Doc had Moses, Mo and Toney. All those championship teams from the 80's were great from 1-5. So, if Bird makes the list (which he does), and Magic makes the list (which he does), then stop using that stupid ass argument. Shaq was useless in the 4th and gave up 10 points a game in missed free throws. Kobe wasn't riding his back. He played his role, and Shaq played his.
All these things being said, I have no quarrel with your list, except for Dream. I don't know if the top 10 is exactly in that order, but I wouldn't replace any of them with Kobe. He's top 15. I will say this, however. Shaq was merely a complimentary player in that Miami championship, and that winning it at all was due purely to the Mavs monumental choke job and dubious, dubious officiating. His good fortune, and not his play, is the only reason Kobe doesn't replace him on that list right now.
P.S. I hate Shaq.
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