- Shaquille O’Neal calls out Lakers acquisition of Rui Hachimura: ‘I don’t even know who the f–k that is’
- Report: Fred VanVleet expected to sign with Klutch Sports amid Lakers’ interest in him
- Dennis Schroder says he was ‘very aggressively’ handcuffed by cops who accused him of a stealing a car
- Report: Lakers looking to upgrade from Patrick Beverley
- Phil Handy seemingly compares Rui Hachimura to Kawhi Leonard: ‘Reminds me of this guy I coached in Toronto’
- Report: Dennis Schroder stopped by police in Hollywood after leaving Lakers game
- Report: Lakers, Clippers, Jazz, Pistons and Hornets interested in Caris LeVert
- Chandler Parsons on LeBron James: ‘If they were winning more, he’s my MVP’
- Report: Lakers update injury statuses for Anthony Davis, Lonnie Walker and LeBron James vs. Spurs
- Report: Lakers showing interest in Mike Conley and Eric Gordon
Jamal Crawford Takes Exception to Kobe Bryant Being Left Off ESPN’s Top 5 NBA Player Rankings
- Updated: May 14, 2020
ESPN recently released its all-time player rankings, with Kobe Bryant making it to the site’s top 10 players list, but Jamal Crawford isn’t too happy about it.
Bryant was listed at no. 9 by ESPN’s panel of experts, a ranking that Crawford took exception to.
Can't really honor any list Kobe isn't top 5…
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) May 13, 2020
Though Bryant’s inclusion in the prestigious list by one of the most reputable sports sites is quite an honor, his place among the league’s finest has often been a topic for heated discussions among fans, former players and media.
Here is the full list of ESPN’s top 10 players ever:
- Michael Jordan
- LeBron James
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Bill Russell
- Magic Johnson
- Wilt Chamberlain
- Larry Bird
- Tim Duncan
- Kobe Bryant
- Shaquille O’Neal
The Los Angeles Lakers have the most players on the list with six, including James, who is playing in his second season for the franchise. He is the only active player in the top 10.
Bryant has a case to be a top-five player because of his body of work encapsulated within a 20-year career.
He was an 18-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA team member, one-time MVP, two-time Finals MVP and five-time champion.
The Lakers retired two of his jersey numbers (No. 8 and 24) as a sign of honor to one of the greatest players in league history. Many consider him to be the greatest Laker of all time.
Bryant also earned an Oscar award for an animated short titled “Dear Basketball,” which was based on a poem he had written in 2015.