Stephen A. Smith Explains Why Kobe Bryant Is No GOAT
Stephen A. Smith Explains Why Kobe Bryant Is No GOAT
Stephen A. Smith has sparked debate by dismissing Kobe Bryant‘s GOAT (Greatest of All Time) status in basketball history. Smith instead names LeBron James and three other players as stronger top-5 contenders, suggesting Bryant wasn’t even the best shooting guard in NBA history.
“He’s not my GOAT because he’s number two as an off guard. He didn’t eclipse Jordan. So, because he didn’t eclipse Jordan, he’s number two. Because we are making the argument about LeBron in terms of his versatility, being a guy that can play four different positions, being a point forward…
“We have him on the Mount Rushmore. Nobody’s resume supercedes that of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, outside of Bill Russell. But we know that Bill Russell wasn’t Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as a talent…
“LeBron’s resume and what he’s been able to do with his versatility, I look at Kobe – Even though I would rather have Kobe in tight situations, my attitude was; Kobe is number two at off guard so automatically I didn’t think about him as the GOAT.”
The GOAT conversation typically revolves around several key NBA legends. LeBron James stands out for his longevity and all-around excellence, while Michael Jordan’s perfect Finals record and cultural impact remain unmatched. Magic Johnson’s revolutionary point guard play and championship success also place him in this elite discussion.
Statistics tell part of the story. Bryant ranks third all-time in scoring but leads in missed shots, raising efficiency questions compared to other candidates. This statistical reality often works against Kobe in analytical GOAT debates.
Allen Iverson recently added to the conversation with his own rankings, prompting Smith to place LeBron as the second-greatest player in NBA history, ahead of Bryant. This positioning reflects the evolving nature of basketball legacy discussions.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
