Kobe ranked 93rd in ESPN player rankings

[dipstick]

In the grand scheme of things, it doesnt matter.

But Kobe is one of the all-time greats and this kind of ranking is a diss on someone like him. And the basis for the low ranking is just because he is ball dominant and forced shots on a team that he was forced to do so. Its not like he's washed up, slow and no skills. On skills alone, he would still be a top 10 wing. And obviously on this team he can be more passive with more scorers around.

I think another way to comment on this is to see who is ranked above him. He is below other chukers like Kemba Walker. Role players like JJ Reddick. Even below rookies like KAT and Okafor who havent played a single NBA game yet. And we're only up to the 70s since higher rankings havent been released yet. Even Marcus Smart was ranked higher due purely on defense which I find odd because one of the best defensive players in the league in Tony Allen was ranked 100.

Agree it doesnt matter. As Laker fans, yes we realize that, but still can't help feeling a little salty. After all, they put 2 rookies above him, lots of role players and not one other laker.

Yes, a team with an all time great, #2 pick, all rookie team selection, reigning 6th man of the year and the highest ranking we have is at 93 while there are rookies and bench players ranked ahead of our entire team. Oh, and the next highest ranked player is Hibbert. Still not Russell, Clarkson or Williams. Go figure.

[MAMBAEMD]

As a fan, this ranking is pretty meaningless to me.
It's based on recent production and efficiency.
Of course he'll be ranked low because his recent production has been limited due to injuries.

But I do think he cares about this stuff. He is one mentally tough SOB, and he will use this as motivation.
And the fact that no other Laker is ranked higher than him, should be used by the team as motivation.

[Laker_Kid]

As a fan, this ranking is pretty meaningless to me.
But I do think he cares about this stuff. He is one mentally tough SOB, and he will use this as motivation.

what if this is actually espn's way of motivating kobe? lol. good guy espn (9gagers will understand).

[Laker_Kid]

As a fan, this ranking is pretty meaningless to me.
But I do think he cares about this stuff. He is one mentally tough SOB, and he will use this as motivation.

what if this is actually espn's way of motivating kobe? lol. good guy espn (9gagers will understand).

[DaddyCool19]

I don't really care. Even the number 1 ranked player isn't guaranteed to win the MVP or the championship so who cares if Kobe is ranked 93rd?

And honestly, those guys who ranked Kobe at 93 don't stand a chance against him on 1 on 1 basketball.

According to your logic no journalist should be allowed to create any rankings if they are not better than the people they rank. Screw music, movies, athletes and even comic heroes rankings if you can't sing, act, be good at the sport or have superpowers you shouldn't rank them.

[SkyHookFTW]

As others have said, his injuries make him a tough player to rank. To expect an all-star year or anything close to it given his age and recent injuries is expecting too much.

[DEEP3CL]

Not really sure why Kobe would complain. He is like 200 spots too high

Yeah right....if Kobe is so bad as you and ESPN imply, I hope coaches have the guts to single cover him.

Oh wait that won't happen now will it? Save your idiotic comments for somewhere else.

[dAdo dA dEvil]

I don't really care. Even the number 1 ranked player isn't guaranteed to win the MVP or the championship so who cares if Kobe is ranked 93rd?

And honestly, those guys who ranked Kobe at 93 don't stand a chance against him on 1 on 1 basketball.

According to your logic no journalist should be allowed to create any rankings if they are not better than the people they rank. Screw music, movies, athletes and even comic heroes rankings if you can't sing, act, be good at the sport or have superpowers you shouldn't rank them.

So you rank musicians and actors now?

[ratra_1211]

Not really sure why Kobe would complain. He is like 200 spots too high

Yeah right....if Kobe is so bad as you and ESPN imply, I hope coaches have the guts to single cover him.

Oh wait that won't happen now will it? Save your idiotic comments for somewhere else.

The cold hard truth. As bad as kobe is no one dares to single cover him. Even when he shot his last left handed floater when he tear that rotator it was because he got doubled

[gts1]

The rankings are based in part on last years production, that's really all the folks making these picks have to go on before the season.. Judging by Kobe's last two seasons it's hard to rank him because you just don't know what you're going to get and the little you saw wasn't pretty but you do know you're not getting the Kobe of old, just an older Kobe coming off of another surgery after another significant injury.

Honestly I think the only reason he's in the top 100 is because he is Kobe Bryant.. Any other mid 30's ball player in his 20th year coming off of the string of injuries Kobe has had the last couple year would be in the 200+ range

[ALL HAIL]

Kobe Bryant will have a wonderful season.

This is a different year.

He has three or four guys who can get their own shots.

He hasn't played with this much talent across the board since the days of Van Exel, Ceballos, and Jones -- the talent will surely help him.

He knows he doesn't have to do it all.

He'll pick his spots look the wily vet he is , and he'll play well.

[dockingsched]

Kobe Bryant will have a wonderful season.

This is a different year.

He has three or four guys who can get their own shots.

He hasn't played with this much talent across the board since the days of Van Exel, Ceballos, and Jones -- the talent will surely help him.

He knows he doesn't have to do it all.

He'll pick his spots look the wily vet he is , and he'll play well.

More talent than when he had Pau, Odom, Bynum, Ariza/Artest winning titles?....I don't know about that

[ALL HAIL]

Kobe Bryant will have a wonderful season.

This is a different year.

He has three or four guys who can get their own shots.

He hasn't played with this much talent across the board since the days of Van Exel, Ceballos, and Jones -- the talent will surely help him.

He knows he doesn't have to do it all.

He'll pick his spots look the wily vet he is , and he'll play well.

More talent than when he had Pau, Odom, Bynum, Ariza/Artest winning titles?....I don't know about that

"Across the board"/from top to bottom ... yes. And when you factor in guys who can get there own shots up, there's no question in my mind.