In addition to an elite first step and a 40-inch vert, Kobe had a few rare, MJ-esque qualities that melded perfectly with his skills.
I saw Steve Nash talking about athleticism during a few interviews earlier this year. He was talking about how he was surprised by Kyrie's speed, etc. but he was just as, if not more impressed with his reflexes, agility and mobility, ability to move. I immediately thought about Kobe. Kobe was insanely mobile. He could position his body in all sorts of ways reflexively to get shots off or make defensive plays. This is where you see those crazy fading jumpers, reverse layups and even those really stylish dunks. That same mobility let him explode and slither into gaps in the defense to create his own shot at awkward angles. He could bend his feet in very awkward positions to take off at random angles. He could change directions mid stride as if he were 6'1." He moved like a ballerina. This blended with his skill, but his insane coordination and mobility is why could pull off those sleek moves with the ball. I don't think I could see Wiggins pull it off in large part because of skill, but I also don't see the flexibility and overall agility and control. Kobe's reflexes along with his length and flexibility and stamina helped him be a great defender. Like MJ, Kobe basically had the agility and mobility and body control of an explosive, agile point guard, but he was 6'5." To date, I'm not sure I've seen another shooting guard with these qualities. I think this, in part, accounts for the aesthetic appeal of people like MJ and Kobe as well. They're more subtle elements that people don't notice, and that's why sometimes people think like, Gerald Green was more athletic than Kobe.
Look at this layup at 1:27. Look how drastically and how quickly he adjusts his body to get this layup off and yet he somehow has the touch/balance/core strength to complete the shot all in one motion. That is super rare, and for people over 6'4," Kobe and MJ are the only one I've seen approach this level of body control, reflexes and outright fluidity.
I think DWade is maybe a slightly more impressive athlete because of the raw force he could exert, but Kobe was a better leaper and even for DWade's great body control, Kobe was on another level in that regard. So yeah.