Shaq slammed NBA all-time player ranking that had Kobe Bryant outside top 10
Take Shaquille O'Neal trying to defend the late Kobe Bryant's legacy on Monday, for example.
After Bleacher Report unveiled its all-time NBA player rankings, which had Bryant at No. 11, Shaq took issue with the publication's exclusion of his former Los Angeles Lakers teammate outside of the top 10.
Honestly? I can see both sides here:
On the one hand, Bryant was a five-time NBA champion. He was an 18-time All-Star and was also an 11-time First-Team All-NBA selection (he was All-NBA in some fashion in 15 of his 20 NBA seasons, which is remarkable). He is easily the second greatest shooting guard of all time behind a certain Chicago Bull. So, I can see why some folks would want to see him in the top 10. He has a solid argument for it.
But when I look at this top 10, I struggle taking anyone out to elevate Bryant.
Michael Jordan and LeBron James are the two greatest NBA players ever. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's consistency and longevity can't be questioned. Magic Johnson is the best point guard and facilitator we've seen. Bill Russell's tremendous impact and influence on the league cannot be discounted. Tim Duncan may have had the best "winning player" career of anyone to ever step on the hardwood. Larry Bird redefined the small forward position for one of the NBA's two signature franchises. Wilt Chamberlain stuffed the stat sheet, night in and night out, like no other. Because of his shooting, Steph Curry is arguably the most influential player of the modern era. The 3-point revolution does not happen without his ridiculous prowess from behind the arc. Full stop.
Ironically, the only person that Bryant could replace in this top 10, to me, is O'Neal, who is way too high at No. 6 for my tastes. But even then, I don't know that I'm actually taking O'Neal outside of the top 10. His run from 2000-2002, when he won three titles and three Finals MVPs with the Lakers — by no coincidence, Bryant was his running mate — is arguably the best individual peak in NBA history. O'Neal deserves his flowers, too.
None of this screed is meant as disrespect to Bryant. There have just been so many truly special NBA superstars over the years. And many of them were, indeed, extremely influential on the league's health, evolution, and future, if not more than Bryant. It's to the point where putting him outside the top 10 shouldn't be this huge "crime."
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