Jerry West: "Kobe Is The Greatest Laker"

[William Bassington]

It’s a never-ending debate: who is the greatest Los Angeles Laker of all time? The choices are plentiful — Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and a few others could all make the claim — but according to Jerry West, the title goes to the Black Mamba. Per USA Today: “West, the former Lakers general manager who brought Bryant to Laker Land as a rookie in 1996 by way of the trade with the Charlotte Hornets for Vlade Divac, would consider Bryant the best Laker of all time even if he quit tomorrow. His sentiment echoed that of Magic Johnson, the five-time champion who reiterated his stance on ESPN on Wednesday night that Bryant was the best of all the Lakers. West, who is now a consultant for the Golden State Warriors, said he viewed Abdul-Jabbar and Chamberlain differently because they didn’t play their entire careers with the Lakers but he clearly sees Bryant above Johnson and himself on the Lakers’ long list of greats. ‘What he has accomplished with this team, I don’t think there’s any question in my mind at this point in time – because of him being with this team for his whole career – that he has been the greatest Laker player,’ West – who earned 14 All-Star berths, one championship, one MVP and made nine Finals appearances – said. ‘I do think he’s the greatest Laker player we’ve ever seen.’ As for the scoring record and whether Bryant will pursue it, West doesn’t see him chasing the mark unless he’s still playing at the highest level. ‘The one thing he’s been able to avoid are really serious injuries,’ West said. ‘That is a factor in anyone’s success…(But) he’s not going to go out there and play – like a lot of guys do – past their prime, trying to chase a record. I don’t think that’s who he is, at the end of the day. I just think that he’s just one of those guys who loves to compete, loves to win, understands that he’s been doing it for so long, at a high level, and now the team hasn’t played as well as (they were expected to). Does that wear on him? I’m sure. And then having you guys ask him the question, ‘How long will you play?’ I think he’ll play as long as he feels like he can play like he is right now, and then he will move away from it.’”

SLAM ONLINE | » Jerry West Considers Kobe Bryant the Greatest Laker Ever

 

[iceberg_is_on_fire]

I don't really know how anyone could argue this.

 

[Rekkapryde]

Earvin.....

 

[FreedS[ohh]lave]

Hes not its Kareem,West said Kobe because he has a good rleationship with him and also drafted him

Anyone who knows anything about the history of the league knows Kareem is #1

 

[William Bassington]

Hes not its Kareem,West said Kobe because he has a good rleationship with him and also drafted him

Anyone who knows anything about the history of the league knows Kareem is #1

the logo doesnt know the history of the league huh

 

[NYC Rebel]

Yeah...and there's no patting himself on the back for making Kobe a Laker tied to Jerry's statement.

 

[Jplaya2023]

9 finals in 12 years........

 

[valet]

Greatest Laker but not a great leader? Derek Fisher ran the locker room. Kobe the greatest Lakers shooter. Can't be the greatest Laker but lacks in leadership. A leader would instill confidence in his team.

 

[Da_Eggman]

I don't really know how anyone could argue this.

actually ANYBODY who watched Magic Johnson play could argue vs this very easily

 

[DaRock]

Buck......

 

[Broke Wave]

Magic
Jerry West
Kareem
Worthy
Shaq

They all said it

Shaq actually said one that Kobe was the greatest player ever

 

[iceberg_is_on_fire]

actually ANYBODY who watched Magic Johnson play could argue vs this very easily

I will be 33 tomorrow, and can and will argue this and I've shytted on Kobe more than I've supported him. I've watched Magic, Kobe is the better player. I'm not going to let nostalgia and rose-tinted glasses obscure what is very apparent.

 

[Da_Eggman]

I will be 33 tomorrow, and can and will argue this and I've shytted on Kobe more than I've supported him. I've watched Magic, Kobe is the better player. I'm not going to let nostalgia and rose-tinted glasses obscure what is very apparent.

i'm glad its apparent to you its not even close to apparent to me....Magic was better in every aspect except pure shooting i dont even see a debate there

 

[Majestic Pape]

I don't really know how anyone could argue this.

So you don't think there's ANY argument at all for Magic?

Same question goes for Kareem and West himself (to a lesser extent).

 

[Goatpoacher]

Magic


Shaq actually said one that Kobe was the greatest player ever

He called AI the greatest player ever too. I think he called Jordan the greatest player ever. I think he even said it about Samaki Walker.