LeBron James, Kobe Bryant
(AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

Kobe Bryant weighed in on an age-old NBA question. He ranked himself against LeBron James and Michael Jordan.

Please understand that everything about this is done begrudgingly. Ranking players and discussing the greatest of all-time is an argument that has become so tired that it’s almost painful to write this. But Kobe Bryant was asked to rank himself, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan—and here we are.

The choice for Bryant was simple. Either he ate cow tongue or he ranked three of the greatest players in NBA history. Kobe, of course, ranked himself first followed by Michael Jordan and lastly, LeBron James.

It’s impossible to fault Bryant for placing himself first all-time. He’s one of the most confident players in the history of the game and every player thinks he’s better than he actually is. Bryant should fall somewhere in the top 10 of the greatest players of all-time—15 at the lowest estimations.

Jordan and James are consistently regarded as the two best of all-time. It’s hard to argue against it, but that argument overshadows other all-time greats like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal, Bill Russell, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and countless others.

LeBron or Jordan is the trendy argument and Kobe fans will always find a way to insert themselves in that conversation. They’ll cite his championship rings as a reason that he’s better than LeBron. Unfortunately, that makes it hard for them to argue that Bryant is better than Jordan.

Either way, the arguments are pointless and Kobe didn’t have to eat cow tongue.

NY/NJ hoops reporter (NBA/NCAA) & sports betting writer for XL Media. Never had the makings of a varsity athlete.