The NBA GOAT debate is a heated one in the basketball community. For decades, many have debated about who the greatest player in NBA history. The two most popular names at this point are Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Both players were dominant at their peak and are among the most accomplished athletes across all sports. However, they are far from the only notable players who pop up in these conversations. Additionally, basketball legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, and Wilt Chamberlain also receive a lot of love in the NBA GOAT debate. As the game continues to grow, more players will likely find themselves in the conversation. For now, though, the debate is mostly centered around the same few players. Additionally, former NBA guard and top-10 draft pick Brandon Jennings seems to agree.
In a recent interview with Sam Yip of HoopsHype, the 35-year-old revealed that his NBA GOAT is Bryant. Jennings cited Bryant’s peak dominance and work ethic as the main reasons for his opinion.
“Definitely Kobe. Growing up in L.A. and seeing him win five titles, it just makes sense. People seem to forget he was the most dominant player at his peak during the late 2000s. And he’s got a legacy of work ethic and drive that will live forever.”
Brandon Jennings Reveals Kobe Bryant Is His Pick for NBA GOAT
Brandon Jennings Is Not the Only Player to Consider Kobe Bryant the GOAT
In June, former NBA MVP and current Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden revealed that Bryant is his personal NBA GOAT.
“I mean, there was only one person who made me love, I mean fall in love with the game, and that’s Kobe Bryant. Being from LA and being a Lakers fan watching him grow up and win several championships and his passion and love and what he did for the game of basketball, I think the world, you know, feels the same way, but that’s why I started playing basketball. The skill set and things that I’ve learned, I kind of picked up on my own, but as far as falling in love with the game, it’s definitely been Kobe.”
Harden is also not the only recent NBA player to regard Bryant highly. Additionally, players like Paul George, Jayson Tatum, and DeMar DeRozan have all made it known that Bryant is an inspiration to them.
Evaluating Kobe Bryant in the NBA GOAT Debate
Bryant is one of the most successful players in NBA history. Throughout his 20-year NBA career, the Los Angeles Lakers legend was an 18-time All-Star, a five-time champion, a 15-time All-NBA selection, and a one-time MVP. Additionally, he was a two-time scoring champion, a 12-time All-Defensive selection, and a two-time Finals MVP. All his success culminated in an induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020. Furthermore, Bryant developed a reputation as one of the hardest workers in the NBA. His intense and focused mindset, known as “Mamba Mentality,” was inspirational to many and is something that still gets talked about nearly 10 years after his last NBA game.
When talking about the greatest NBA players in history, Bryant deserves a mention. However, the rest of the candidates are very competitive, making it difficult to consider him the absolute greatest. Nonetheless, he inspired an entire generation of basketball players. There is no doubt he is a basketball legend and many will always consider him among the greatest in league history.
