Kobe Bryant, the late Los Angeles Lakers legend, was the most dominant player of the 2000s. During his prime, he led the Lakers to five NBA championships between the 1999-00 and 2009-10 seasons. This solidified his spot as one of the greatest players in NBA history. However, despite his accomplishments, Bryant’s name is often left out of the greatest of all time (GOAT) debates, which usually only include Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
Vince Carter, who played against all three legends, believes that Bryant deserves to be at the center of those debates alongside Jordan and James. He stated that Bryant should always be considered one of the greatest players to ever step foot on a basketball court. While some may argue that Bryant was not as great a player as Jordan or James, there is no denying his impact on the game of basketball.
In his 22 seasons playing for various teams including the Los Angeles Lakers, Carter averaged impressive numbers of 25.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 6 assists per game. However it was Carter’s “Human Highlight” style of play and athleticism that set him apart from other players at the wing position during that era. Despite being overshadowed by other players like Michael Jordan and LeBron James during their primes, Carter has cemented himself as an iconic figure in NBA history with his incredible work ethic and dedication to the game.
