A popular list dropped a few weeks ago ranking the greatest players in NBA history, sparking plenty of debate. It put Michael Jordan at number one, LeBron James at two, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at three-a solid lineup, if you ask me. It’s got to take some serious research, but let’s be real, picking the best ever is subjective as heck. Tastes differ, and while stats can guide us, they’re often twisted to fit an argument.
The catch? This list feels like it skipped the players’ input, and that’s where it loses steam. To them, it’s just ego flexing-why care about a ranking that doesn’t pay out? It’d be different if, say, MVP winners or season award voters weighed in, since we’re just onlookers with opinions. The players facing off on the court hold the real insight, a point Dwyane Wade drives home in the latest episode of his podcast, “Wy Network.”
Wade Fires Back at Kobe’s Low Ranking with Passionate Defense
Dwyane Wade isn’t holding back, slamming the decision to rank Kobe Bryant 11th on that list, outside the top 10. On Wy Network, he passionately argues that players from Bryant’s era, who felt his greatness firsthand, all agree he’s top three all-time. “If you ask us hoopers who played against Kobe, we’re all going to say he’s top three of all time,” Wade said, questioning the credibility of rankings from those who never stepped on that court.
“From someone who’s never played basketball at our level, why am I up in arms about him being ranked 11th?” His take highlights a gap between cold stats and the raw experience of facing Kobe, underscoring how his peers saw his unmatched impact and skill-proof that the list misses the mark for those who lived it.
Wade was ranked 23rd on the list and has a point defending Kobe, but putting him in the top three is certainly saying a lot. Ultimately, lists are subjective and based on personal taste. That’s his opinion, along with those of D. Wright, Bob, and Chris on the podcast.
Wade and Bryant’s Bond Fuels Legacy Debate
Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant had a deep mutual respect, both on and off the court. This friendship especially blossomed during the 2008 Olympics with the Redeem Team. Wade, a 13-time All-Star, led the Heat to three NBA championships (in 2006, 2012, and 2013) and averaged 23.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.9 assists over 1,054 games. He was also named Finals MVP in 2006.
Bryant, a five-time champion with the Lakers (2000-02, 2009-10), averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 1,346 games. He earned two Finals MVP awards and scored 81 points in a single game-still the second-highest total in NBA history. Wade marveled at Bryant’s work ethic during their Olympic bond, a trait that fueled Bryant’s 18 All-Star nods and one MVP (2008). Former teammates like Wade are rallying to keep Kobe’s legacy, highlighted by his 33,643 career points, in the top tier where they believe it belongs.
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