Gilbert Arenas Makes A Case For Why Kobe Bryant Belongs In the GOAT Conversation

LeBron James and Michael Jordan are usually the first names to emerge in any GOAT debate, but Lakers legend Kobe Bryant isn't too far behind. Over his 20-year career, Bryant achieved many amazing feats but it's his unbridled work ethic that stands out the most when you think about Kobe. According to former league point guard Gilbert Arenas, this mental approach and attitude toward the game is what truly separates Bryant from other stars.

"What makes Kobe [Bryant] special? We don't go by the accolades. We go by how the person played, what was his attributes... He didn't have the big hands. He wasn't quick, he wasn't fast, 38" vertical... what he did with that body, it's like you took an S 500 and he was pushing it like a Bugatti. That's what we look at. We look at the normal person fighting gods."

Kobe wasn't naturally gifted like Michael Jordan or Shaquille O'Neal, who was a walking beast due to his massive frame. But Kobe still found a way to succeed with what was given to him, and his willingness to outwork everyone set the stage for a historic career. Today, years after his retirement from the game, many players (both current and former) respect that kind of hustle and consider Bryant to be the greatest example of dedication to one's craft.

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NBA Fans Disagree With Arenas

As a 5x champion, 1x MVP, and 18x All-Star, there is no question that Kobe belongs in the pantheon of basketball legends, but where he places exactly on the list is still up for debate. While Arenas clearly holds Bryant's career in high regard, others aren't sold on the narrative that he's on the same level as Jordan or LeBron.

For some, the simple fact that Kobe Bryant rode shotgun to Shaquille O'Neal disqualifies him from the GOAT conversation. While LeBron and Jordan played with some stacked teams, neither of them was the "sidekick" at any point in their career.

On the other side, Kobe's way of routinely outplaying the competition should not be undervalued. While he wasn't the strongest, biggest, or fastest, he always wanted it more than anyone else and always found a way to exploit whoever was sin front of him.

Kobe retired in 2016 as an NBA legend and his legacy lives on today through his family, the Lakers, and the countless people he touched on his path to stardom. And while his overall impact on the game cannot be denied, the matter of his place among the all-time greats may never be settled.

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Where Does Kobe Rank?

With career averages of 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game on 44.7% shooting, Kobe is undoubtedly one of the league's greatest scorers ever. With over 1,346 points, Kobe ranks fourth on the all-time scoring list, only behind LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Karl Malone. In terms of his status as a Laker, he's widely recognized as the greatest player to don the jersey and his 20-year run is going to be hard to beat.

But with so many great players throughout history, Bryant is just one of many legends who deserves a seat at the table. If you consider Bryant, you must also consider players like Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain, and 11x champion Bill Russell. Whatever the case, the GOAT debate will never be resolved and the conversation will only get harder as the years go by and new superstars enter the mix.

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