West: As far as skills go, Kobe is No. 1 on the list (all-time)

[The Logo]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playof...esttake-090613

West, meanwhile, has his own examples to justify Bryant's all-but-certain forthcoming selection as NBA Finals MVP, unless L.A. becomes the first team out of 30 in Finals history to take a 3-1 lead and then lose the next three games.

Referring to Gasol, who was his franchise player when he was the Grizzlies' team president from 2002 to 2007, West said: "His effort is certainly greater than it was in Memphis, I'll tell you that, and it's because Kobe Bryant has driven him to that point."

"Any time you start talking about who the best is, you're always going to have controversy. But Kobe is upper, upper echelon. I'm not talking about the top 10 [of all time]. This franchise has had a lot of good players. Absolutely the greatest leader I've ever seen would be Magic Johnson, and he was also the greatest teammate, but as far as skill Kobe is No. 1 on the list.

"When you're that great, sometimes people don't want to give you the credit. But when Kobe walks away from this game, he's going to leave huge footprints, just as Michael Jordan did.

I don't care much for opinions of former players but this isn't just another meaningless opinon from a Charles Barkley or a Magic Johnson. West's opinion means more than that of any other player because he is the Logo and he doesn't give opinions too often. But when he does, everyone listens because he knows what he's talking about. BTW, he makes a great argument for WHY Kobe deserves the finals MVP.

Do y'all think Kobe is the #1 Laker in terms of skills? This is a huge compliment since it comes from one of the greatest players ever to put on a Laker jersey.

As for the haters (talking to you bruceblitz), do listen to West's words carefully.

"This is a once-every-25-years player. Appreciate him while he's here."

[andgar923]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playof...esttake-090613



I don't care much for opinions of former players but this isn't just another meaningless opinon from a Charles Barkley or a Magic Johnson. West's opinion means more than that of any other player because he is the Logo and he doesn't give opinions too often. But when he does, everyone listens because he knows what he's talking about.

Do y'all think Kobe is the #1 Laker in terms of skills? This is a huge compliment since it comes from one of the greatest players ever to put on a Laker jersey.

As for the haters (talking to you bruceblitz), do listen to West's words carefully.

I'd say Yes all time for Lakers

[andgar923]

Not to take away anything away from this article (seriouslY) but we have to take most things West says about Kobe with a grain of salt (seriously).

[CantStop]

"This is a once-every-25-years player. Appreciate him while he's here."

Once every 25 years? Try lifetime you old man.

[Kblaze8855]

Laker? Arguable. Very arguable even. The best lakers have been bigman who are naturally not going to be as well rounded. Magic is the exception and Kobe is at least a better shooter, has a better handle far as breaking down his man, and makes a wider variety of shots. Magic was magic because he was the best there ever was at the things his team needed him to do. Magic didnt need to go one on one at the top of the key and make a fadeaway over his man. He had Kareem/Worthy on the block and no ego at all when it came to letting them shine. Magic had little use for much of what Kobe does.

[paintingshade]

lifetime? ok kobe is good, not that good.

jordan is the better player, kobe is more skilled. makes sense.

[bleedinpurpleTwo]

overall skills? yes, probably #1 Laker.
But he is not the #1 Laker all-time. obviously.

[andgar923]

lifetime? ok kobe is good, not that good.

jordan is the better player, kobe is more skilled. makes sense.

He was talking about "Lakers."

The title of the thread is misleading.

West was stating that Kobe is the most skilled "Laker" of all time.

[brandonislegend]

skillwise kobe is unbelievable, maybe better than jordan

but i would still take alot of players in their primes over kobe

[Allstar24]

Once every 25 years? Try lifetime you old man.

You're not content with "once every 25 years?"

I'm with Jerry West, I've been saying Kobe is the most skilled Laker ever.

[andgar923]

skillwise kobe is unbelievable, maybe better than jordan

but i would still take alot of players in their primes over kobe

Not really (sorry.... couldn't help myself LOL)

[Kingwillball]

Kobe is VERY overrated...The reason why he is hated on soo much cause the amount of Unneccasary love he recieves in the media is sickening. I guess they feel like Riding the Kobe train out a little longer especially with another championship coming but another year or two will be all aboard the LBJ Hype Express for the next 6 or 7 years at least.

[Allstar24]

Kobe is VERY overrated...The reason why he is hated on soo much cause the amount of Unneccasary love he recieves in the media is sickening. I guess they feel like Riding the Kobe train out a little longer especially with another championship coming but another year or two will be all aboard the LBJ Hype Express for the next 6 or 7 years at least.

Speaking of unnecessary, it's sad that you feel the need to talk about LeBron in every topic.

[andgar923]

Kobe is VERY overrated...The reason why he is hated on soo much cause the amount of Unneccasary love he recieves in the media is sickening. I guess they feel like Riding the Kobe train out a little longer especially with another championship coming but another year or two will be all aboard the LBJ Hype Express for the next 6 or 7 years at least.

He's not VERY overrated.

[GUUS]

he has amazing skills, but at times plays like he has the mind of JR Smith, thats Kobe's problem, takes too many stupid Kobe shots when he's doubled and easier to just pass to an open team mate