Kobe Bryant is overrated
Even though this quarantine has meant that our precious NBA has been temporarily taken away from us there are always things going on in the basketball world to entertain us. We’ve had the “The Last Dance” which has been incredible so far, time to reflect on the NBA’s illustrious history and ESPN’s all-time rankings to contend with.
Like I’ve said before, it’s vaguely interesting to see what the rankings are for players 74 to 21 are, but in reality, everyone is focused on the top 20 because these are the best of the best. There was quite a stir amongst NBA fans and players when we all found that the late Kobe Bryant had only been ranked 9th all-time by ESPN’s writers.
Kobe is a fan favorite for so many people so there was a huge outcry that he was outside the top 5. I am here to tell you that ESPN got their ranking with Kobe right.
Here’s why:
Legacy
Kobe has an amazing basketball legacy. 5x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 18x All-Star, 2x Scoring Titles, over 33,000 points scored and all for the Los Angeles Lakers. He was loyal to LA right to the very end and has been justly rewarded for that. Kobe was also the hardest worker we’ve ever seen in the NBA. His work ethic is second to none, even that of Michael Jordan.
Kobe’s desire to work on his game was incredible. Bryant’s natural talent was that of a multiple All-Star. He was athletic, had a 6’11” wingspan had good shooting form. His work ethic took him to his Hall of Fame status. He maxed out every inch of his potential from training so hard.
This legendary work ethic is a huge reason why he is overrated by a lot of fans and NBA players. The fact that he worked so hard is given too much credit when Kobe is compared to other players in NBA history.
It doesn’t matter how hard you work, you need the talent to go along with it and Kobe was not as talented as some of the other guys above him in ESPN’s all-time rankings.
Playstyle
Kobe Bryant was extremely well-know for his isolation-style of basketball. Thanks to the Triangle Offense from Phil Jackson and Tex Winter, this lead to great success when the Lakers had Shaquille O’Neal and Pau Gasol.
Without an All-Star big man, Kobe struggled to win games with the Lakers, even when he was in his prime. The most games Kobe won without Shaq or Gasol was 45. Kobe has always had a shoot-first mentality. Because he was Kobe that was often a decent shot, but that playstyle always alienates your teammates.
When Kobe wanted to pass he was great but he almost always felt as though he should shoot. His career FG% is only 44.7% and his career 3P% is only 32.9%. These should be much higher for a player as dominant as Kobe.
Narrative
There is a narrative that Kobe is one of the greatest clutch players in NBA history. Whilst there’s no doubt he was amazing in the clutch, his performances in the 7 NBA Finals series he’s appeared lend credence to his ability to close.
In the 2000 Finals Kobe only averaged 15.6 points on 36.7% from the floor, in 2001 he did average 24.6 points but on 41.5% from the floor, in 2004 he averaged 22.6 points on only 38.1% from the field and in 2008 he averaged 25.7 points on just 40.5% from the floor.
He did play extremely well in 2002 where he averaged 26.8 points on 51.4% from the floor and 54.5% from 3 and in 2009 when averaged 32.4 points on 43% shooting but the vast majority of the time, he struggled with efficiency in Finals games.
Kobe is one of the all-time great players and a real example to young prospects on how to work hard and hone your craft to the best it can be, but he is not greater than the 9th best player of all time.