Is Kobe the greatest Laker ever?

[manvir_samra]

I think he's past the other laker legends and should be considered the greatest Laker ever.

[ROballer]

He's 2nd after Magic IMO right now

When it's all said and done,he might surpass him but it's not a given,he needs at least 1 more ring and even then I'm not sure I'd put him at no.1

[crazy8ights]

I'm probably one of the bigger Kobe homers in our tight group here and I say no! Magic is and always will be.

[GoldenKnight]

Most people here will tell you Magic to sound like they are the more experienced fans around who make the past players untouchable, but I tell you...
Kobe is the best Laker ever, Magic comes close, but he was not better than Kobe.
Their style of play was so different and they both were determined winners.

No disrespect to Magic he is the 2nd best Laker after all and perhaps top 7 NBA players of all time, but
Magic himself, J West, Shaq, and other Laker greats have all declared Kobe the best Laker ever, and they should know...

[KB24TBOTB]

Most people here will tell you Magic to sound like they are the more experienced fans around who make the past players untouchable, but I tell you...
Kobe is the best Laker ever, Magic comes close, but he was not better than Kobe.
Their style of play was so different and they both were determined winners.

No disrespect to Magic he is the 2nd best Laker after all and perhaps top 7 NBA players of all time, but
Magic himself, J West, Shaq, and other Laker greats have all declared Kobe the best Laker ever, and they should know...

Or it could be that they are being humble. Magic is the greatest laker ever

[GoldenKnight]

Also doesn't have to be one or the other.
Could be both.

[ShowtimeFan]

Magic #1

[Leor_77]

Magic, Wilt and Kareem are better than him. I don't like to start with this Kareem/Wilt also played with other teams BS - Why not just compare the players.

[KB24TBOTB]

Magic, Wilt and Kareem are better than him. I don't like to start with this Kareem/Wilt also played with other teams BS - Why not just compare the players.

Because we are comparing their careers with the Lakers.....

[kblo247]

Record book - Yes as he holds just about everything or will hold everything

Business Aspect - Yes as he was the most profitable player for the franchise in 05 and the only bigger draw the league has ever had globally was named Michael Jordan in its history. TWC also admittedly negotiated rights to an exclusive block of his old work and marketing around him in the $5 billion deal

Roles on titles team - Yes as he has been the primary facilitator of as many title teams as Magic, been the best defender on all but 1 which Magic can't boast he ever came close to, and always been the better scorer of the two (perhaps the greatest perimeter streak scorer ever)

* Don't give me that he started at C **** please, as he did the jump ball but didn't defend the spot

Longevity - Easily

The only thing Magic had on him truly was the fact that he smiled. He smiled when he lost. He smiled when he criticized management and got called out by teammates. He smiled when he won. He just had that smile that could get people to overlook anything he did, like Shaq had about him when he threw people under the bus or failed and everyone else took the heat. He was just a nicer personality and still is even if you know what comes out his mouth is bull ****. Kobe is more smug, arrogant, point blank, and easily irritated so he comes off as aloof or surly, much like Kareem

[AceFresh]

I'm probably one of the bigger Kobe homers in our tight group here and I say no! Magic is and always will be.

Agreed with the Magic is, but to say Kobe can't be when it's all said and done is a pretty distorted angle to view things.

[deNIEd]

From a non-Laker fan's point of view, I would say no. I would rank Magic and Kareem over Kobe. With Kobe ranked 3rd overall.

[Anklebreaker702]

Kobe will never be the greatest Laker ever because he doesn't make other around him better. He's a great individual talent & that's it. He is definitely in that upper class but to be considered the best you'd have to do for more than just you.

[Anklebreaker702]

From a non-Laker fan's point of view, I would say no. I would rank Magic and Kareem over Kobe. With Kobe ranked 3rd overall.

Kareem is usually not mentioned only because he wasn't a Laker his entire career. If not for that it would probably be Kareem hands down.

[EiRON]

Kobe and Magic are tied in my opinion, but if Kobe wins another ring. He's the best Laker for sure.

[deNIEd]

From a non-Laker fan's point of view, I would say no. I would rank Magic and Kareem over Kobe. With Kobe ranked 3rd overall.

Kareem is usually not mentioned only because he wasn't a Laker his entire career. If not for that it would probably be Kareem hands down.

True.

However, when I judge the "greatness" of a player for a particular franchise, I think about the overall impact they made. The Laker's legacy, greatness, and appeal, would be NO WHERE near what it is now, if Magic and Kareem and the Showtime didn't happen. If the Lakers were just an average team during those years, I honestly don't think people would care that much about the Lakers today.

Of course, Magic (and Kareerm) on the basketball court are equally as talented if not more talented than Kobe. I just feel that the Showtime Lakers have done more for the Laker name and franchise appeal than Kobe has.

[Anklebreaker702]

From a non-Laker fan's point of view, I would say no. I would rank Magic and Kareem over Kobe. With Kobe ranked 3rd overall.

Kareem is usually not mentioned only because he wasn't a Laker his entire career. If not for that it would probably be Kareem hands down.

True.

However, when I judge the "greatness" of a player for a particular franchise, I think about the overall impact they made. The Laker's legacy, greatness, and appeal, would be NO WHERE near what it is now, if Magic and Kareem and the Showtime didn't happen. If the Lakers were just an average team during those years, I honestly don't think people would care that much about the Lakers today.

Of course, Magic (and Kareerm) on the basketball court are equally as talented if not more talented than Kobe. I just feel that the Showtime Lakers have done more for the Laker name and franchise appeal than Kobe has.

All of what you said is without question

[Triple M]

From an outsiders perspective when i think of greatest Laker i think of West because of his contributions as a player/executive. Has anyone other than the buss family contribute more to the legacy that is the Lakers franchise??? in terms of solely on the court it is a tough call between Magic and Kobe; I'll go with Magic because of his contributions on what some people argue as one of the greatest teams in NBA history. However, Kobe has contributed to some of the all time great teams too but I'm not sure if you can say it was to the same degree as Magic. Maybe you guys can correct me on that if I'm flat out wrong in saying that.

[doozyj]

As much as West has made an impact to the organization as a player and GM, I think the amount of losses in the finals appearances have kept him from being the greatest Laker ever. As for now I have Magic at #1 until Kobe retires. I just have a soft spot in my heart for the Magic era as I grew up in the 80s watching showtime basketball, but all bias aside. Kobe has way too many accolades, championships, longevity and when he retires hopefully 5-7 years from now he will go down as the greatest Laker ever and arguably the greatest player ever.

[moofs]

If you buy into wins produced... Magic is by FAR the better player, and even Shaq and Pau have been considerably more important (albeit for shorter durations).

http://wagesofwins.com/2011/06/03/the-c ... -superman/
http://www.thenbageek.com/players/137-kobe-bryant