9. Kobe Bryant (1996-Active)
The list is started with not just one Lakers legend, but two.
Kobe Bryant comes in at No. 9.
In recent times, many include Kobe in the Top 5 ever. The reason he slides to the backend of this list, however, is due to his one-dimensional nature.
A fantastic argument can be made that Kobe was placed in a great position at the right time in the early 2000s. With Shaq and Phil Jackson, those Lakers teams were loaded. He played the Robin to Shaq’s Batman to a tee.
How much did Kobe actually make those around him better? Leadership qualities have also been questioned.
His career 4.8 assists per game and very average .451 field goal percentage are marks that simply hurt his legacy a tad. His 19 career triple-doubles is very disappointing as well.
Having said that, there’s only one person throughout NBA’s history I’d take over Kobe to take that last-second, clutch shot. He was an absolute assassin who never shied away from the big moment, coming through more often than not.
