Is it time to reconsider Kobe Bryant's legacy? Is he top-5 all-time?

[kobeunderbite]

[Alex_Murphy]

All I see in that photo are Jordan Farmar’s ears

[Bush4Ever.]

Fans generally ignore the defensive side of the court with narratives like this.

In reality, the Lakers without Kobe on the floor were -0.6 points per 100 possessions in 2009 and -3.6 in 2010.

http://www.82games.com/0809/08LAL4.HTM#onoff
http://www.82games.com/0910/09LAL5.HTM#onoff

For a frame of reference, the Heat without Lebron on the floor were -3.4 pts per 100 possessions in 2012 and -2.3 in 2013.

http://www.82games.com/1112/11MIA8.HTM#onoff
http://www.82games.com/1213/12MIA9.HTM#onoff

This happened to some degree with Lebron's Cleveland teams during his first tenure, where fans would hyper focus on offense without considering the idea his teammates were generally solid or better defensively. For example, the Lebronless Cavs were only -2.7 points/100 possessions in 2007 largely on the back of good defense.

[Havlicekstealsit]

Hard to believe Adam Morrison has more rings than 17 current franchises. And he only played three seasons.

[Robceltsfan]

I have him 10th....and dropping.

[lettherebehouse]

I’ve always had him in my top 5, but I’m perfectly willing to reconsider to move him into top 3.

1 - Kobe
2 - Lebron
3 - Michael

[kobeunderbite]

I’ve always had him in my top 5, but I’m perfectly willing to reconsider to move him into top 3.

1 - Kobe
2 - Lebron
3 - Michael

That's not unfair. If Bynum, Ariza and Malone were healthy, Kobe is walking around with 7+ rings, 4 Finals MVP and GOAT status, unironically.

[Uncontroversial]

Dirk and Giannis also won with bums, but Kobe did it twice in very few seasons/attempts without shaq while in his prime