Is Kobe a Top 3 Laker ever?

[Fudge]

I admit I was wrong a while back when I asked if he was a top 5 Laker ever. Clearly he is.

But is he top 3?

KAJ
Magic
Shaq
West

Some names to consider.

KAJ was infinitely better. Shaq too. Magic...majority of intelligent people would say yes.

No trolling here.

Is he?

[Nilocon165]

Meltdown

[tmacattack33]

Wilt was a Laker too. So, no, it's not obvious that he's a top 5 Laker. He'd probably get the 5th spot over West for most younger people, but West has a lot of great accolades as well...like being a 10 time all-nba first-teamer.

[hateraid]

It's pretty valid argument. He's the longest to wear a Lakers Jersey and exclusively Lakers.

It's like when somebody asks who the greatest Sixer is. We'd say Julius but Wilt was a better player. It's all subjective

[HenryGarfunkle]

His longevity in a lakers uniform means nothing.

Kareem
Magic
Shaq


All ahead of Kobe. Sawry. They all played long enough in LA to be ahead of Kobe... Shaq carried kobe to 3 straight rings and is the only reason kobe is being talked about in this light right now. Kobe is not a top 3 laker ever, and he'd be lucky to be top 4 ahead of the logo. So barely top 5.

[Nilocon165]

His longevity in a lakers uniform means nothing.

Kareem
Magic
Shaq


All ahead of Kobe. Sawry. They all played long enough in LA to be ahead of Kobe... Shaq carried kobe to 3 straight rings and is the only reason kobe is being talked about in this light right now. Kobe is not a top 3 laker ever, and he'd be lucky to be top 4 ahead of the logo. So barely top 5.
Everyone here thinks your opinion is worthless :lol

[Prime_Shaq]

Yes

[LAZERUSS]

Purely in a Laker uniform...

Magic
Kobe
KAJ
Shaq
West

[NumberSix]

You would have to put Kobe above Shaq and Kareem due to them not really being "Lakers" but NBA players who had time playing for the Lakers franchise.

[Dray n Klay]

Everyone here thinks your opinion is worthless :lol



Who? You and your alts? Gtfo

[Cold soul]

Kobe is first or second to Magic Johnson. It's like 1A) to 1B) thing for title as greatest Laker.

[Prime_Shaq]

1. Magic
2. Kobe
3. KAJ

[Duffy Pratt]

Anybody here realize that Mikan was a Laker, won more championships than Kobe, had greater historical significance than any other Laker except possibly Magic? Or does, once again, all time not mean all time?

Kobe is on a par with West, but below several others.

[Dray n Klay]

Its simple, just think of all the 11 players ahead of him all-time, and see if they played for the Lakers.

Process of elimination


Kareem
Magic
Wilt
Shaq
West




Kobe just misses the top 5

[Bandito]

Its simple, just think of all the 11 players ahead of him all-time, and see if they played for the Lakers.

Process of elimination


Kareem
Magic
Wilt
Shaq
West




Kobe just misses the top 5
Wasn't Kobe ahead of West in that ESPN list?

[riseagainst]

epic meltdown.

Kobe is 2nd only to Magic, but it's very close.

[TheMilkyBarKid]

It all comes down to whether you view it as what they did while at the lakers or best players to have played for the lakers.

Kareem, magic, wilt and shaq are big names to go against.

[bobopenguin]

bron stans stay insecured even after kobe retired.

:roll: :roll: :roll:

[TheMarkMadsen]

Kobe/Magic
KAJ
Disel
West


If Magic played in this era he would be some much more heavily scrutinized, played in that shit conference on a ridiculously stacked team..

Love Magic but just being honest.

People wanna shit on Kobe for having Pau Gasol lol and having some mediocre finals

But nobody brings up "tragic johnson" playing with the arguable GOAT for all his rings and winning finals where he didn't even lead the team in scoring or assist in hist prime.

Magic/Kobe are interchangeable, but I'll go with the guy who gave us 20 years and didn't need an all star team in what was basically the east of today to win his rings.

[Kiddlovesnets]

I think he is. Among the top 15 players, only Magic Johnson and Jerry West are better Lakers than Kobe. The other Lakers legends such as Kareem, Wilt and Shaq didnt play their entire career in LA, so they cant be compared to Magic, West and Kobe who are Lakers for life.

[Nezty]

His longevity in a lakers uniform means nothing.

Kareem
Magic
Shaq


All ahead of Kobe. Sawry. They all played long enough in LA to be ahead of Kobe... Shaq carried kobe to 3 straight rings and is the only reason kobe is being talked about in this light right now. Kobe is not a top 3 laker ever, and he'd be lucky to be top 4 ahead of the logo. So barely top 5.

How many rings did Shaq win before Kobe? Why couldn't Shaq "carry" Penny?

[feyki]

Purely in a Laker uniform...

Magic
Kobe
KAJ
Shaq
West

Shaq over Kareem as a Laker imo . Kareem's 5-6 prime years ( and only 2 years , 76 and 77 , in his peak years ) were in LA uniform .

But Shaq played 7-8 years in his prime with LA . And almost all years were his peak years .


Back to thread ;

Yes , Magic #1 and then Kobe .

I have Mikan as goat laker . But i was underrating longevity . Mikan only played 8 years , and top 10 of all time(nba,nbl ) at best . 14-15 is fairly .

[SwayDizzle]

he has broken countless Laker records, revived the franchise post Magic, stayed with the same team for 20 years, won 5 titles in 7 finals appearances. all of the greats (who are in contention for the best Laker) have admitted Kobe is the greatest Laker. i mean, what more is there to debate?

[NBASTATMAN]

I admit I was wrong a while back when I asked if he was a top 5 Laker ever. Clearly he is.

But is he top 3?

KAJ
Magic
Shaq
West

Some names to consider.

KAJ was infinitely better. Shaq too. Magic...majority of intelligent people would say yes.

No trolling here.

Is he?


PEAK level HE IS NOT sure but career wise he is.. :rockon:

[NBASTATMAN]

epic meltdown.

Kobe is 2nd only to Magic, but it's very close.


Career wise I agree...

[r15mohd]

he can certainly contend with Shaq for the 3rd spot, but in no way was he better than Kareem or Magic as the best Laker ever.

don't see how anyone can legitimately put Kobe above these two greats other than emotional based reasoning :confusedshrug:

[feyki]

he can certainly contend with Shaq for the 3rd spot, but in no way was he better than Kareem or Magic as the best Laker ever.

don't see how anyone can legitimately put Kobe above these two greats other than emotional based reasoning :confusedshrug:

Kareem was Kareem in Millwaukee . He came to the LA when he was 28 years old .

[Gileraracer]

Weak trolls

[r15mohd]

Kareem was Kareem in Millwaukee . He came to the LA when he was 28 years old .


OK :facepalm - doesn't take away from the fact that as a Laker, Kareem was still one of the best players in the league and surmounting his status as the one of the top greatest players ever. he played 13 seasons as a Laker, and at least 8 of them being completely dominating, can even say 9 or 10 (around the same length if not more than Shaq as a Laker) during the season and playoffs.

the way some of you try to diminish past greats to fit an agenda is crazy! :wtf:



Kareem's Honors And Awards (As A Laker)
Hall of Fame (1995)
NBA Most Valuable Player (1976, 1977, 1980)
NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (1985)
1st Team All-NBA (1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1986)
1st Team All-NBA Defense (1979, 1980, 1981)
2nd Team All-NBA (1978, 1979, 1983, 1985)
2nd Team All-NBA Defense (1976, 1977, 1978, 1984)
NBA All Star (1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989)

[SwayDizzle]

OK :facepalm - doesn't take away from the fact that as a Laker, Kareem was still one of the best players in the league and surmounting his status as the one of the top greatest players ever. he played 13 seasons as a Laker, and at least 8 of them being completely dominating, can even say 9 or 10 (around the same length if not more than Shaq as a Laker) during the season and playoffs.

the way some of you try to diminish past greats to fit an agenda is crazy! :wtf:
kobe's career with the lakers is better than kareem's

[r15mohd]

kobe's career with the lakers is better than kareem's


agree to disagree - cuz we can go back/forth on this all day :cheers:

you all likely only look at the good to what a player did for the franchise, which is fine, but I encompass all years and detriments they've caused, as well. same way many will negatively rate a player for not winning a title (West and Chamberlain with the Lakers), to omit the other negative aspects is arbitrary to me

[HurricaneKid]

Kareem was Kareem in Millwaukee . He came to the LA when he was 28 years old .

The ignorance around Kareem is striking here. Kareem won 5 Championships with the Lakers, won 3 MVPs with the Lakers, led the league in PER 6 times with the Lakers (Kobe was 3rd ONCE). He played more seasons with the Lakers than Magic did and has the best claim on being GOAT besides MJ.

Anyone suggesting that Kobe is higher than Kareem on any Laker list is a fool.

If you want to being up longevity, take Shaq out. He only played for the Lakers for 8 years.

But Kareem? GTFO.

[feyki]

OK :facepalm - doesn't take away from the fact that as a Laker, Kareem was still one of the best players in the league and surmounting his status as the one of the top greatest players ever. he played 13 seasons as a Laker, and at least 8 of them being completely dominating, can even say 9 or 10 (around the same length if not more than Shaq as a Laker) during the season and playoffs.

the way some of you try to diminish past greats to fit an agenda is crazy! :wtf:

What ? I have Russell @ #1 , Kareem @ #2 .


The ignorance around Kareem is striking here. Kareem won 5 Championships with the Lakers, won 3 MVPs with the Lakers, led the league in PER 6 times with the Lakers (Kobe was 3rd ONCE). He played more seasons with the Lakers than Magic did and has the best claim on being GOAT besides MJ.

Anyone suggesting that Kobe is higher than Kareem on any Laker list is a fool.

If you want to being up longevity, take Shaq out. He only played for the Lakers for 8 years.

But Kareem? GTFO.

Kareem only played 5-6 prime years in LA . Shaq's peaks and prime all were in LA . Kareem had only two his peak years in LA (76 and 77 ) .



And do you guys really think that Kareem's after 28 years old career better than ENTIRE Kobe's ?

[Vienceslav]

One must not forget about Gasol and Bynum. Also 6/24.

[r15mohd]

What ? I have Russell @ #1 , Kareem @ #2 .



Kareem only played 5-6 prime years in LA . Shaq's peaks and prime all were in LA . Kareem had only two his peak years in LA (76 and 77 ) .



And do you guys really think that Kareem's after 28 years old career better than ENTIRE Kobe's ?


if he's the MVP in '80, and making 1st all team while on the Lakers for 5-years through '86 - i'd think his peak lasted more than 2-years in LA. he was at least a 25/10 player through '81 (more so a 30/15 in the few yrs right before '81), and even came in 3rd to MVP that same season. he began dipping the year after. you are definitely underrating him, especially to then label him as the 2nd on your list too

and yes, his career as a Laker is pretty great if not amazing too - alongside Magic, they went to 8 finals and won 5 together. you can rebuttal that in his later years, he was riding the Magic coattail, but same can be said of Kobe early on. main thing is he showed up and they were contenders right through - no setbacks for ego and jeopardizing his team either during the stint with the Lakers. it's really undisputable, regardless the years. Kareem did equally as good, if not better in a a way shorter timeframe than it did for Kobe to do the same.

[feyki]

if he's the MVP in '80, and making 1st all team while on the Lakers for 5-years through '86 - i'd think his peak lasted more than 2-years in LA. he was at least a 25/10 player through '81 (more so a 30/15 in the few yrs right before '81), and even came in 3rd to MVP that same season. he began dipping the year after. you are definitely underrating him, especially to then label him as the 2nd on your list too

and yes, his career as a Laker is pretty great if not amazing too - alongside Magic, they went to 8 finals and won 5 together. you can rebuttal that in his later years, he was riding the Magic coattail, but same can be said of Kobe early on. main thing is he showed up and they were contenders right through - no setbacks for ego and jeopardizing his team either during the stint with the Lakers. it's really undisputable, regardless the years. Kareem did equally as good, if not better in a a way shorter timeframe than it did for Kobe to do the same.

Kareem was as good as Moses in between 78 to 81 . And we know Kareem's peaks far better than Moses' . Maybe 1980 was close to his peak years . But "maybe" and only one year .

80's centers reason of those all nba 1th team selections . Kareem was averaging around 22-8-3 at those years .

Kareem was amazing for sure , no doubt . But i do rank Magic and Kobe above him in LA jerseys .

[Mrofir]

As the game of basketball matures, the legendary names pile up and the exercise of ranking becomes less and less relevant. This is a perfect example.


I think Kobe belongs up there side to side with the Laker greats, and he is a 2nd tier superstar legend. The first tier has one name in it imo. Everyone else is subject to flip flopping around depending on the situation. For example, in my gut I feel Magic/Shaq could have come up with 4 or even 5 rings together. But I'm also not sure Magic/Pau could have won any.

Those two rings really defined Kobe's career, mostly for better but occasionally for worse. Those playoff runs too.. Kobe imo is the the all time greatest WCF performer. He got them to the finals and his performances that made that happen are unmatched in nba history. But he's nowhere near the top of the list for best nba finals performers, and we all know Magic is.

It's a wash and it really depends on the situation. Which Laker would I start a franchise with? Shaq every time.

[HurricaneKid]

Kareem only played 5-6 prime years in LA . Shaq's peaks and prime all were in LA . Kareem had only two his peak years in LA (76 and 77 ) .

And do you guys really think that Kareem's after 28 years old career better than ENTIRE Kobe's ?

Kareem won 3 MVPs as a Laker. Kobe won 1.

Kareem led the entire NBA in PER as a Laker 6 times. Kobe never finished 1st or second.

Kareem had 11 seasons avg 21.5ppg+ on 55%+ from the field. Kobe had ZERO seasons shooting 47%.

If you ranked their combined 34 Laker seasons by TS%, the first 11 would belong to Kareem.

Kobe has 172.7 WS in 20 years; Kareem has 158.7 in 14 years.

Do I think Kareem had a better Laker career? No, I KNOW he did.

[tpols]

Kareem won 3 MVPs as a Laker. Kobe won 1.

Kareem led the entire NBA in PER as a Laker 6 times. Kobe never finished 1st or second.

Kareem had 11 seasons avg 21.5ppg+ on 55%+ from the field. Kobe had ZERO seasons shooting 47%.

If you ranked their combined 34 Laker seasons by TS%, the first 11 would belong to Kareem.

Kobe has 172.7 WS in 20 years; Kareem has 158.7 in 14 years.

Do I think Kareem had a better Laker career? No, I KNOW he did.

holy arbitrary cutoffs and advanced stats .. this is one of the worst arguments ive ever seen proposed.

[feyki]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=combined&type=totals&per_minute_base=36&per_poss_base=100&lg_id=NBA&is_playoffs=Y&year_min=&year_max=&franch_id=LAL&season_start=1&season_end=-1&age_min=0&age_max=99&height_min=0&height_max=99&shoot_hand=&birth_country_is=Y&birth_country=&birth_state=&college_id=&draft_year=&is_active=&debut_yr_nba_start=&debut_yr_nba_end=&debut_yr_aba_start=&debut_yr_aba_end=&is_hof=&is_as=&as_comp=gt&as_val=&award=&pos_is_g=Y&pos_is_gf=Y&pos_is_f=Y&pos_is_fg=Y&pos_is_fc=Y&pos_is_c=Y&pos_is_cf=Y&qual=&c1stat=&c1comp=gt&c1val=&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&c5stat=&c5comp=gt&c6mult=1.0&c6stat=&order_by=ws

[tpols]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=combined&type=totals&per_minute_base=36&per_poss_base=100&lg_id=NBA&is_playoffs=Y&year_min=&year_max=&franch_id=LAL&season_start=1&season_end=-1&age_min=0&age_max=99&height_min=0&height_max=99&shoot_hand=&birth_country_is=Y&birth_country=&birth_state=&college_id=&draft_year=&is_active=&debut_yr_nba_start=&debut_yr_nba_end=&debut_yr_aba_start=&debut_yr_aba_end=&is_hof=&is_as=&as_comp=gt&as_val=&award=&pos_is_g=Y&pos_is_gf=Y&pos_is_f=Y&pos_is_fg=Y&pos_is_fc=Y&pos_is_c=Y&pos_is_cf=Y&qual=&c1stat=&c1comp=gt&c1val=&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&c5stat=&c5comp=gt&c6mult=1.0&c6stat=&order_by=ws

and to think Kareem needed the #1 leader here in Magic for all his titles whilst Kobe led back to back title teams w/ #9, and #15.

[bigkingsfan]

Top three all time, not a top three Laker though.

[Stringer Bell]

OK :facepalm - doesn't take away from the fact that as a Laker, Kareem was still one of the best players in the league and surmounting his status as the one of the top greatest players ever. he played 13 seasons as a Laker, and at least 8 of them being completely dominating, can even say 9 or 10 (around the same length if not more than Shaq as a Laker) during the season and playoffs.

the way some of you try to diminish past greats to fit an agenda is crazy! :wtf:

Extremely impressive there from Kareem.

If Kobe isn't a top 3 Laker, that just says more about the Lakers history than any knock on Kobe.