“He’s got more rings. But we can’t ignore the fact that the first three came with Shaq in his prime, one of the top two most dominant figures in the history of basketball. That dude. Now Shaq didn’t win without him. I know who Kobe is.”

“I know who Kobe was. I know what Kobe meant and will forever mean to the game of basketball. And top 10 all time, no doubt about it, but he ain’t top two. Come on y’all. LeBron didn’t have Shaq as a teammate. Kyrie and Kevin Love, okay. D-Wade, Bosh, Ray Allen, okay.”

“You cannot put him number two over LeBron.”

While the debate on the greatest player of all time has always been a subject of intense discussion, Stephen A. Smith strongly refutes the claim that Kobe Bryant is the second greatest player in NBA history.

Smith points out key statistical comparisons between Kobe and LeBron, emphasizing that Bryant’s points per game, assists, rebounds, and durability did not match up to LeBron’s impressive numbers.

He also notes LeBron’s superior ring count and the absence of a dominant teammate like Shaquille O’Neal during his championship runs. Despite acknowledging Kobe’s significance in the basketball world and his undeniable top-10 all-time status, Smith firmly asserts that placing him as the second-greatest player is not accurate.

Stephen A. Smith further defends LeBron James, highlighting the absence of a teammate of Shaq’s caliber during his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat. While acknowledging the talent of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Ray Allen, Smith contends that these players cannot be equated to the dominance of Shaquille O’Neal in his prime.

In his conclusion, Smith dismisses the notion of Kobe Bryant being ranked above LeBron James, emphasizing that LeBron cannot be placed below legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

He suggests that Kobe may be considered the second-best shooting guard after Michael Jordan but falls behind players like Magic Johnson in the broader context of Lakers history. The GOAT debate continues to ignite passionate discussions, with each perspective adding layers to the ongoing conversation about basketball’s greatest players.

LeBron James Surpassed Kobe Bryant On The All-Time List In 2016

LeBron James solidified his status as one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history with a series of remarkable achievements, particularly in the years following the Cleveland Cavaliers’ historic title win in 2016. The victory marked LeBron’s third NBA championship and a pivotal moment in his career, drawing inevitable comparisons with the legendary Kobe Bryant.

The 2016 NBA Finals showcased LeBron’s extraordinary skills and leadership. Not only did he deliver a championship to a city longing for success, but he also achieved an unprecedented feat by leading both teams in all five major statistical categories—a milestone never before accomplished in NBA history.

LeBron continued to add to his legacy with three more NBA Finals appearances, including a standout performance in the 2018 playoffs that is widely regarded as one of the greatest in NBA history. His move to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 proved fruitful, culminating in an NBA title in 2020 and LeBron earning NBA Finals MVP honors.

In addition to surpassing Kobe Bryant, LeBron set his sights on breaking records, eventually surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. This monumental achievement further solidified his place in basketball history.

As LeBron James continues to etch his name in the annals of the sport, the only player who remains a contender in the ongoing debate for the greatest of all time (GOAT) is Michael Jordan. While opinions may vary, LeBron’s accomplishments, versatility, and impact on the game undeniably position him as one of the NBA’s all-time greats, with only Michael Jordan standing as a potential rival in the eyes of many basketball enthusiasts.