Nov.14 at 1:34 pm

oliver says:
lebron should be- with all things taken into account

Nov.14 at 1:37 pm

Max Airington says:
Tease.

Nov.14 at 1:38 pm

15AM says:
second ] … lebronze should go for gold, this time at least.

Nov.14 at 1:38 pm

scott says:
Looking back I’m an ass for hyping Shaun Livingston

Nov.14 at 1:39 pm

scott says:
Although I was smart for hyping Okafor

Nov.14 at 1:41 pm

Paniscus says:
Oh, give me a break! We all know in our heart of hearts that there’s no #1 and #2. Dan Dickau and Brian Scalibrine should each get to share #1.5.

Nov.14 at 1:42 pm

scott says:
Slam should revise the list around the all-star break. Just give it to us all at once or two guys a day. That way Lamar Odom won’t be so undervalued by the SLAM staff.

Nov.14 at 1:56 pm

Elvis says:
KOBE! KOBE! KOBE! FOR #1

Nov.14 at 1:58 pm

thesubwayconnection says:
LeBron! He’s your guy anyways. . . all those covers. . . “first to discover him”. . . cover boy for the next generation. It’s gotta be him, right? And if it’s the shoes like Mars said, then it most definitely is.

Nov.14 at 1:58 pm

rob stewart says:
Kobe has more one on one offensive talent. LeBron is a better team player. It’s a team game. LeBron #1

Nov.14 at 1:59 pm

sush carter says:
kobe is a better defender too

Nov.14 at 2:00 pm

oliver says:
Kobe would tonk lebron one on one….but that dont mean nada- lebron for no1

Nov.14 at 2:00 pm

scott says:
The season is just in the infant stage some of these guys will probably drop off or get injured but looking back at the list where is Carlos Boozer, Lamar Odom, Rashard Lewis, and Kevin Martin all are starting the season off nice.

Nov.14 at 2:04 pm

daveoh says:
a few comments:
This list is not the best players list. Rather, it is the most-hyped players list. How do you explain Darko, Morrison, and Andrea B. making the list and leaving out players like RJ, Baron Davis, Lamar Odom, etc. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen were penalized for not winning, yet Chris Paul is ranked in the top 10. Proven winners such as Billups are ranked low and young players with a lot of hype are in the top 20. And Andrew Bogut? Are you serious?

Nov.14 at 2:04 pm

Max Airington says:
Kobe should be #1 for numerous reasons, but I just dont think he’ll shoot up that high…..

Nov.14 at 2:05 pm

1Ozzy says:
I watched the Celts game last night and I’m still confused as to why Darko polo made the list. SLAM was definitely wrong on that one. Given last season, Kobe is number one. If these two played one on one, Bron would kill Kobe in the post along with getting a few from the field. The thing though is if it is make it take it, Bron does not get the ball back if Kobe has it.

Nov.14 at 2:06 pm

daveoh says:
next year’s list will have Greg Oden at #4.

Nov.14 at 2:13 pm

scott says:
What the hell does playing one on one have to do with anything. Bryant QUIT on his team last year in the playoffs. Do the people supporting Bryant forget about this? The Lake Show would trade Bryant for James. Lebron is younger and is no where near reaching his full potential. Bryant is 28 or 29 he is what he is. Plus James has been healthy his whole career while Bryant has recently stated he won’t be 100% till around January or Feburary. Since this list is going on the 2006-2007 season James should be number one.

Nov.14 at 2:13 pm

jbn74sb says:
Oh, you sons of motherless goats. This is a ripoff. Even though it’s free.

Nov.14 at 2:15 pm

Joel O's says:
Haha good one there, Max. =) Kobe’s gotta be number one though. As previously noted, he’s a better offensive player AND a better defender than Lebron is. For now. Kobe *can* create and dish just as well as Lebron , which he showed last season against Phoenix, as well as the during the first coupla Dynasty years. The question here for Kobe is *choice*; he can choose to drop 50 on a team, or he can quite easily rack up triple doubles as much as Lebron does. He chooses the former more often, because his team needed that last year. Obviously Lebron can do the same, and he has that absurd skillset and ridiculous physique, but in terms of decision making and intangibles, Kobe is still far, far ahead of Lebron for now. Kobe for number one!

Nov.14 at 2:21 pm

Cheryl says:
I think you guys missed it by placing Wade #3, in my opinion. The kid single-handedly won the chip for the Heat. And I know, I know, he got “phantom” calls, but 1 thru 8, the Mavs had the better team on paper, but Wade’s heart won it in the end. Calls or no calls, the Mavs should have never been in the position they were in. (and how many “phantom” calls did MJ get in his day–Bryon Russell can vouch for that–and no one questions MJ’s ranking) Now, Kobe’s done the same thing, I guess, but he had a youthful every-night-dominant Shaq. Wade did not. Other than the business acument and the media hype, what has LeBron done, really?

Nov.14 at 2:26 pm

Chris says:
Zach Randolph should have made the list the way he’s playing this year, of course it’s only been what 6 games or so

Nov.14 at 2:30 pm

Justin H says:
You Should give us the top 200 for basketball since the 50’s. That Would be hard to make though. You should include street ballers and everything.

Nov.14 at 2:31 pm

Justin H says:
Zach Randolph made the list Chris.

Nov.14 at 2:34 pm

1Ozzy says:
“What the hell does playing one on one have to do with anything. . .?” Everything! More specifically, last season when LA played Cleveland it was Kobe vs. the King, not LA against Clevland. In the end it was what team got the win, but as you, me, SLAM and everybody else watching knows, it is about Kobe vs. LJ. And that is why we watch, hoping for them to end up guarding each other, looking for that ridiculous drive, fade away jumper, spin move, anything!. In the end we never get what we want, but in comparing them it’s about the stats the put up against the same competition over 80 games.
A one on one game between these two will only get played in our imagination and as of last season Kobe has the edge.

Nov.14 at 2:35 pm

Dean says:
It has to be LB23, he does more than Kobe can, especially if you factor in the marketing $$….. but number 2 is not so bad Kobe (unless he drops another 80+ on the raps this week).

Nov.14 at 2:35 pm

Max Airington says:
Wade set an NBA Finals record for most free throws attempted in a series with, 99 attempts. 99. In 6 games. That’s an average of 16.5 free trips to the line per game. (Think that gave him a rhythm for hitting that pull up elbow jumper? Its like free practice, DURING THE GAME!) During Game 5, he set another NBA Finals record by making 21-25 free throws. In that same game the entire Mavs team took…..25 free throws. No one else, including Money himself, has even come close to these numbers. People were outraged with good reason.

Nov.14 at 2:36 pm

Matthew says:
Kobe has rings. World Championship Rings. LeBron has medals. World Championship BRONZE Medals. Kobe 1, Lebron 2. Nuff’ said.

Nov.14 at 2:45 pm

Cheryl says:
the kid went to the hole more than any Mav during that series, Max. I understand the outrage, but blame the no touch rule, not the kid. He took what the game gave him, and I say again, SINGLE HANDEDLY won the chip.

Nov.14 at 2:46 pm

Love & Basketball says:
Lebron should be the #1 choice as of right now. On the other hand, Derrick Martin should be on the top 50 about now too.. MC http://loveandbasketball2.blogspot.com

Nov.14 at 2:49 pm

Max Airington says:
Who touched him at the end of game 5? And you can’t acknowledge that he benefitted from horrible officiating and then say he single handedly won. Obviously he had some help.

Nov.14 at 2:49 pm

WorldBeFree ver. 2.0 says:
there’s no doubt that Kobe is insanely talented. one of the greats of all time. but if you put these rankings in the context of basketball as a TEAM game then the edge goes to LeBron who has shown far more selflessness and egolessness (is that a word?) in contrast to Kobe’s me me me attitude that wore down the Lakers (not that Shaq is blameless). The Showtime Lakers are my favourite team of all time - but when Kobe came to town with his arrogance act, the gold and purple just soured for me. Singular achievement up to now - Kobe has the edge…all around skill/attitude/upward trajectory? King James.

Nov.14 at 2:49 pm

H Dotta says:
Kobe is the best and greatest player in the league 2day, yesturday and 4 sho will B 2morrow. LBJ is good but he doesnt finish games like King Kobe. Where Im from we call Kobe Messiah of the League cuz he just 2 raw. My dude kobe has a scorin title, MVP of an allstar game, NBA Records, countless NBA 1st and 2nd team awards, numerous defensive team awards, and has 3 rings. And His Jimmy Jumper is hella Betta than LeBrons. Lebron is a corny Comedian, hes good but not Kobe Good. No 1 is!

Nov.14 at 2:53 pm

Justin H says:
Dear Slam, Some Say I’m Selfish. Some Say I’m Overconfident. Some Say I’m A Ball Hog. Some Say I’m the Best Player In The NBA. Some Call Me A Rapist. A Distraction. I Scored 81 Points Against The Toronto Raptors. I Hold The Record For Most 3-Pointers In A Game. Arguably The Best Since The Almighty Jordan Himself. Believe What You Want. Pick Me For Number One. Number 24,
Kobe Bryant

Nov.14 at 2:54 pm

Max Airington says:
Was Brons selflessness on stage when he was mugging for the cameras after dunks and layins? Or when he walked off the court early, disgusted with his own spotty free throw shooting? Im such an asshole today.

Nov.14 at 2:58 pm

Cheryl says:
No, Max, you’re no asshole, my brotha. Just stating the real as you see it. I still say, though, that the discussion should be about DWade and Kobe. Until Bron wins something, there’s no argument.

Nov.14 at 3:00 pm

Chris O'Leary says:
“The thing though is if it is make it take it, Bron does not get the ball back if Kobe has it.”
That’s a pain that every one of Kobe’s teammates has felt in their days as a Laker. I think Bron should go #1, simply because he’s a superior team player when compared to Kobe. In his decade in the League, what’s Kobe done? He drove Shaq out of LA, destroying his team’s chances at having a legit shot at winning at least five more rings; he drove out Phil Jackson, who, in my opinion only came back for the cash; and when given a green light on an entire season, he averaged 34 ppg on like 890 shots per, then led his team to a first round collapse against Phoenix. Look at what Kobe had with Shaq–three rings and four trips to the Finanls in five years. Without him, he’s basically T-Mac in Orlando.
#1 isn’t so much about what LeBron does on the court, it’s about what Kobe’s done in his time on it. This guy cannot be this generation’s top player. He doesn’t deserve it.

Nov.14 at 3:00 pm

Max Airington says:
But everyone still oves Michael Jordan….The irony is sickening.

Nov.14 at 3:00 pm

JG says:
WOW. for the first time on this list, i don’t know….i personally would’ve picked Wade at 1, but man, these two guys are a toss up. I’ll go with Lebron, as i feel he could carry a franchise further than Kobe

Nov.14 at 3:04 pm

Justin H says:
Dear Slam, I’m Finally 20 Years Old. It’s My 3rd Year In The NBA. I Skipped College To come Here. Ever Since I Was 17 I’ve Been Exploding. Dunking And Shooting On People 5, 10, 15 Years Older Than Me. Scoring And Leading My Team To The Play-Offs. People Call Me The Next Michael Jordan. I Wear His Number On My Jersey. Be Ready Cleveland A Chip Is On The Way Number 23
LeBron James

Nov.14 at 3:04 pm

SteveSmith#8 fan says:
I am going with Kobe as number one because of the experience and rings. MIA from the top Lamar Odom.

Nov.14 at 3:04 pm

paige says:
top 3 should have been kobe, wade, lebron, no question!
you can’t say wade won the chip single-handedly…did you forget about shaq? even just his presence on the floor is undeniable

Nov.14 at 3:11 pm

James S says:
All i gotta say is, 3 rings, 81, 62, new number, and all the haters to go along with it. Kobe has held his own against, refs, coaches, fans, public … a judge, law suits, gold diggers, injuries, and Raja Bell’s elbow lol. If Kobe does not get this number one spot … what do my 104 slam magazines on my floor mean … s*&t. Kobe has proven himsel to be the best, not like Penny when the Big Man left. Thats why Shaq had to sign 6 all stars as a supporting cast to try and show Kobe up … yeah nice going Big Guy. Kobe has dominating presence that Lebron wont have for … 2 more years. Give it to Kobe before Bron Bron does step up and sit next to Kobe in the Hall of Fame. Im out like bogut’s caeer in 1 and a half years … P.S- Where is Tyron Lue on this list, my boy lol.

Nov.14 at 3:14 pm

Tom says:
lets see, if your talking just pure skills on the court……..Kobe
athleticism…….Lebron So I think it comes down to who makes their teamates better. And I think we won’t know until the end of this season, because only now is Kobe starting to trust his teamates whereas lebron has trusted them from day one. Both are amazing players no doubt…..i’m gonna reserve judgement until the end of this year.

Nov.14 at 3:17 pm

Carlitos way says:
Well the lebrons banner and the kobe slam ad. how clever. I wonder if the lebrons have any say in who is number 1. would you rather be whooped up by the lebron gang or strangled by the mamba

Nov.14 at 3:17 pm

1Ozzy says:
There are too many variables that people are bringing into the mix. In trying to do this some justice, strip away all the other stuff and lets compare pure basket ball skill based up on what we have seen from these two last season. I think this is only fair. Forget the rings, there are way too many great players without rings (Iceman, Barkley, Malone, Ewing, etc.), too many players with off court shit and too many blackhole players. Howerver, what we can compare is their crossover, jumpers from 15′ and 23′, body work of dunks, last sencond heroics, etc.

Nov.14 at 3:20 pm

abelp says:
KOBE BRYANT IS THE BEST PLAYER IN THE NBA HE SHOULD BE MVP HE IS BETTER THAN MIKE

Nov.14 at 3:23 pm

jbn74sb says:
The argument of who should be top cannot be had without defined criteria. Are we talking who is the best player right now (forgetting for a moment Kobe’s knee injury)? Are we talking who would you want on your team for the next 10 years? Are we factoring in salary (in a way, you have to, since this list is based on value)? All that said, IF we are talking the current best player in the game, it is still Kobe. Barring further injury, Kobe should be able to claim the top spot for this year and next. LeBron is insanely talented and appears to have the right personality to be team leader. He essentially put up 31, 7, and 7 laster year. Bron’s defense is still weak, whereas Kobe can lock you down when he wants to or is asked to. And, Kobe has proven himself to be the best clutch player in the game. His ability to hit big shots when the entire world knows he is going to shoot is currently unrivaled. What remains to be seen is whetere Bron has enough of an asshole streak to dominate time and again when it counts. And, let’s see him handle some adversity and criticism on the big stage before we crown the King. That chewing the nails bit on the bench doesn’t bode well in the sack department, if you ask me. So, Kobe in the top spot, for this year and next. After that, it’s Bron’s worls, and averaging a triple double is within his reach.

Nov.14 at 3:25 pm

Max Airington says:
Word.

Nov.14 at 3:26 pm

Double J says:
I agree with elvis down there… Kobe over ‘Bron anyday. Didn’t ya’ll forget about 81? Or 65 in three, which outscored the entire Mavericks team up to that point? Dude got game better than anyone…

Nov.14 at 3:27 pm

Cheryl says:
Kobe, Wade, Bron. I will comment no more (on this thread).

Nov.14 at 3:31 pm

FLUXLAND says:
yo scotty boy… kobe QUIT last year?.. umm sorry bud.. his whole team quit on him first. Had he tried to win the game, meaning hogged the ball.. you, and others of your type, would be saying how he is shelfish and wants all the glory and he f’ed the Lakers and had he played team ball they would have won. He realized that his team doesn’t get the triangle yet and any attempt to win the game would have been useless. He was FORCED to quit… as per Jax. Cheryl… it’s a team sport.. Wade has not done anything single handedly. And what had LBJ done?… ooohhh I dunno.. SINGLE HANDEDLY turned around and gave hope to an otherwise mediocre franchise. Out of all the players on that list he’s the one that has the most potential and means the most to the whole NBA. oh yeah and kobe should be numero uno. I think the Sternbot wants some Kobe Lebron Finals. And Kobe is going to teach LBJ the growing pains of winning a Final.

Nov.14 at 3:35 pm

Wayne Washington says:
81= 24>23………jordan or james, they all ballin’ the same

Nov.14 at 3:37 pm

Adam says:
KING JAMES is Numero UNO!

Nov.14 at 3:39 pm

Max Airington says:
Ridiculous scoring averages. Supremely talented. Unrivaled competitive nature. Ball-hog. Overbearing. Over inlfated ego. Self-righteous & judgemental. Physical & verbal attacks on teammates and opponents. Frequent clashes with managment. Freezing teammates out of games. Resistance to the Triangle offense. Adultery & public embarassment. High stakes gambling. Murder. Tell all books. Death of a dynasty. That was Michael Jordan. The G.O.A.T. Remember? But we hold Kobe’s transgressions against him constantly. Explain. (Besides the snitching. I cant support that shit…) Hungry. Determined. Clean cut. Family man. Dedicated to the game. The future of the league. That’s Wade. Remember when it was Kobe? Respect game.

Nov.14 at 3:42 pm

CASHVILLE says:
Just ask yourself one question with the resume’s in hand and the past in your mind. Who would you build a team around today? Who in their right mind would pick Kobe over Lebron? Let’s weigh the two out. Kobe is a great scorer and defenseman. Lebron is a great scorer, getting there defensively, passer, rebounder and leader. The rings are all good and stuff but he got those with the championship kit i.e., Shaq and Phil or even Shaq and any HOF coach. There is only one throne and one king. In the words of the late great Rick James, “I wish I had two more hands so I could give Kobe four thumbs down, number 8’s gon bad”. UNITY!!

Nov.14 at 3:43 pm

Cheryl says:
Max, are you changing your pick?? Are you with me on Wade, or did I misunderstand your point?

Nov.14 at 3:46 pm

Mike says:
If im not mistaken, VC is putting up better numbers than LBJ, Kobe, or DWade to start out the season. So all you dam haters better recognize. Vince for MVP!

Nov.14 at 3:49 pm

Max Airington says:
Im with Kobe. 24/7. I was trying to illustrate that Kobe may have his problems, but so did MJ. And all the things that people are saying about Wade now, were what they were saying about Kobe in 2000. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. And Cashville, what’s Shaq’s championship kit? An All NBA first team guard to get him the ball and cover his ass in the fourth quarter cause he can’t make his free throws? A “sidekick” who will carry the load while he works himself into shape during the season only to hog all the glory at the end?

Nov.14 at 3:55 pm

CASHVILLE says:
Who honestly thinks this man is better than Mike? Please step up and show your ignorance. I forgot that that is the sole reason why I never liked this man. He was “swagger jackin” which I’m doing just using the phrase, from the jump with the blowing off the fingers and fadaway jumper. He even tried to jack his walk. What part of the game is that? No one in the game today and I mean no one is even close to MJ on any level. That kind of f*cked up my day. I might have to log off and go outside for some fresh air for a minute or two. Thanks a lot!

Nov.14 at 3:57 pm

Reggie Evans says:
You tell ‘em MAX! THEY WERE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE!!!

Nov.14 at 3:58 pm

Max Airington says:
By your criteria Mike was a swagger jacker too. You think parts of his game weren’t borrowed? Wade doesn’t use that same fadeaway on occasion?

Nov.14 at 3:59 pm

Trent Huchinson says:
Look Lebron is a fantastic player, no doubt, but he has not done even a fourth of what Kobe has done in his career! Kobe has more NBA records than Lebron has franchise records. And that is a bad franchise. Kobe also has over 30 Laker franchise records. He is without a doubt the best player in the league. Last season, he should have been MVP without a doubt! Also, if you are naming the best overall player, then give it to the guy that has made All-NBA 1st Team Offense AND Defense several times. Lebron can’t guard solid high school players. Kobe deserves the number one spot hand down!

Nov.14 at 4:00 pm

Max Airington says:
“You wanna f*cking crown em, then crown em! But they are who we thought they were!”

Nov.14 at 4:05 pm

CASHVILLE says:
Max Airington: Exactly Right! 6′8″ swingmen are a dime a dozen in the league but how often does Shaq come around. Shaq is the O.G. of the league so he pretty much does what he wants and that includes sitting on his big ass and pacing himself until the playoffs. There’s no irony in the how he left L.A. and got another championship within a couple years while Kobe is still dreaming of getting back. Different toilet same shit. HOF coach, Shaq, and superstar swingman. I mean, it’s not rocket science.

Nov.14 at 4:07 pm

1Ozzy says:
My last post for the day as we have moved into an whole other direction with this. At any point in the game and you needed a basket - two points! Who would be the man, KOBE or BRON? I for one loved it when raja layed out Kobe’s arrogonat ass. However, my money is on KOBE. That cat will create nightmares with the ball in his hands at the end of the game.
With Bron at least over the past couple of seasons, there is a chance he might pass out to the open guy who you know doesn’t really want the ball at that time. . .

Nov.14 at 4:07 pm

winston and the telescreen says:
when it comes to kobe haters
KB8 just could never win
he takes over the game and scores 81
(something Bron will NEVER be able to do no matter how good he gets)
and hes selfish
he passes the rock around, and he ‘gives up’
Bron might be the future king
but Kobe is unquestionably the best basketball player
better offense, better defense
better clutch than MJ
let Lebron have it in the future
right now its all Kobe
he already got robbed of the MVP
(the moment that voters decided to slap History itself in the face by denying Kobe)
dont rob him of the number one spot simply cause people hate on him all the time
and look for KB24 to get 2 more rings
I’d say 4 but the basketball gods might be angry with him for not asking Phil Jackson to come back after their failed championship quest
of course if Bynum keeps enhancing his beast status it could end up 4 more after all
but I’m guaranteeing 2
(and L.O. really should have made this list, forget Bargnani and Darko)

Nov.14 at 4:11 pm

Max Airington says:
Pacing himself until the playoffs? He didnt do anything IN the playoffs. 9 points in a deciding championship game? Plus he’s been swept out of the playoffs four previous times. Was he pacing himself for the offseason?

Nov.14 at 4:21 pm

Elyse says:
Kobe, without a doubt. When healthy he is still a more complete player whose ultimate goal in any situation is winning (regardless of the ludicrious assertions that he tanked). And if you don’t know that, you don’t watch basketball. Kobe has played facilitator for three rings, he has played lone leader where the team needed him to score, and watch him this year as he brings his team together and takes them further, and in the much stronger western conference. Who did colangelo want to build team USA around? Who do players say? Didn’t MJ say recently he would take Kobe? Isn’t this obvious?

Nov.14 at 4:23 pm

Max Airington says:
Dont go making too much sense now Elyse.

Nov.14 at 4:25 pm

CASHVILLE says:
Max: You a fool with that Denny Green quote. He was pissed! Of course he jacked something from somebody but he didn’t blatantly try to be a clone of some one like the Kobester here. In the past few years he has started to come into his own but for a minute it was bad. D Wade’s game does remind me a lot of Space Jam but he has patented that crash and burn, balls to the wall game so it’s oh so close but yet so far away.

Nov.14 at 4:25 pm

SEA says:
SKILL SKILL SKILL SKILL KOBE HAS HELLA SKILL. LEBRON AINT EVEN A MILLION YEARS CLOSE TO THAT LEVEL.GO WATCH A GAME TELL ME WHAT YOU SEE.

Nov.14 at 4:30 pm

Max Airington says:
Cant take credit for that. Right Reggie? I feel what you’re saying about the cloning, we’ve all heard it before. But what I dont understand is why people dont see it for the compliment that it is? Who else can even come close to “cloning” Jordan anyway? Harold Miner?

Nov.14 at 4:31 pm

CASHVILLE says:
I’m not a stat junkie so I don’t know Shaq’s ppg in middle school or his 4th grade shoe size but I do know that the man has a presence when he’s on the floor. I guess he’s not one of the fifty greatest players and best big man EVER in the league. I must be talking about the other Shaq. I’m sorry.

Nov.14 at 4:37 pm

Max Airington says:
Im talking about the Shaq that was only dominant on the offensive side, and frequently took plays off on the other end of the court. They put him in the 50 greatest prematurely (Nique? McAdoo?), but hes certainly earned it now and no one can take that from him. However, he’s not better than Hakeem, and not even close to Russ or Wilt.

Nov.14 at 4:39 pm

Howard says:
u guys could’ve at least run spell-check on Yao’s 1 paragraph essay

Nov.14 at 4:45 pm

StroShow says:
Mike is the past. Kobe is the present. Bron is the future. Period.

Nov.14 at 4:48 pm

CASHVILLE says:
The Dream handed him his ass in those finals, I’ll give you credit for that and I do agree with the premature nomination but it was soon justified. But I wasn’t old enough to see the Stilt and Russ play but I’ll bet my Oldsmobile that he would have busted there ass. He would have told them to get their weight up and kept it moving. Shaq would have scored 150 back in that game with all dunks. The basket probably would have been broke and the whole Knicks front line would have been fouled out by the time he got to 70.

Nov.14 at 4:52 pm

Magic Chicken says:
Okay, This is somewhat related to Kobe, but not really. My big question is why is Lamar Odom not in the top 50? He averages amazing numbers (just under a triple double every game), and he’s been an extremely good play-maker and catalyst on every team he’s played on. More importantly, the “value” of the players from the top 50 spoke about their value to their respective teams, and it’s well known that the Lakers go from Amazing to mediocre based off Lamar’s play, and when I say amazing, I pretty much mean unstoppable.

Nov.14 at 4:56 pm

JG says:
Wow, enough with the MJ comparisons. Yeah, Bron and Mamba are sick, but they’re gunna have to do A LOT more convincing if they’re even gunna be in the same league with MJ. I know i compared wade’s finals performance with 23, but i never said he is the second coming. There WILL NEVER be another MJ. Ever. Get over it

Nov.14 at 4:57 pm

Max Airington says:
Wilt was just as big as Shaq, plus he was an exceptional track & field athlete. The man averaged 48.5 minutes for a season once. Granted, the game may have been slower back then, but I doubt there is any era in NBA history in which Shaq would average that many minutes with his commitment to conditioning. Wilt even led the league in assists once. Shaq? Ha. No one is just going to bust The Big Dipper’s ass. No one.
Russell was the only one who could handle Wilt, something tells me he could slow down Shaq. Hell, Rodman owned Shaq for an entire series in 96. Wilt and Russ couldnt do that?

Nov.14 at 4:59 pm

Playa says:
I gotta go with KOBE as #1. THe lakers traded away shaq to keep him.. that’s gotta mean something.

Nov.14 at 5:18 pm

Will says:
Whoever dare to compare Wade’s “phantom” calls with Jordan’s .. I don’t think Jordan ever attempted as many free throws as Dwyane Wade in his 3 and 1/4 Finals game.

Nov.14 at 5:22 pm

Will says:
Out of all the top 50s, Vince Carter got 259 comments, easily doubled the next player in line.
Love him or hate him, he’s the attention getter.

Nov.14 at 5:37 pm

Ang says:
lebron might be number 1 two or three years from now. but today, it’s kobe. kobe’s more proven right now.

Nov.14 at 5:38 pm

LUIS says:
kobe is #1 for these reasons #1the rings,#2more years in da l.,#381 points that says it all!

Nov.14 at 5:41 pm

Shiz says:
*rolls up pant legs to wade through bullshit* The Kobe Haters sound real lame right now. He quit on his team? Nah, if dudes knew basketball like they like to swear up and down they do they’d realize that throughout the season, the Lakers faired MUCH better against phx with a even distribution of points. Sure, they could never stop Kob, but those only resulted in L’s. You guys say “get your teammates involved” so he does. Then its “rely on your teammates” and he does…And they fold like a bad poker hand. Then it’s Kobe quit on the team… Amazing, even though Lebron all but walks to the locker room, pullin a Randy Moss… MJ wouldn’t have done that…Reggie wouldn’t have done that…Kob surely wouldn’t have done that… So Lebron, firstly aint no fuckin king. He’s a superb athlete that grew up and is now living the dream playing basketball for his homw team…But he about as royal as my uncle Walter’s hemorroidal flare ups. Yall need to get off that “we’re all witnesses” shit…No…When Jesus, or Allah, or Muhammad returns, THEN we’ll all be witnesses. This semi-regilious secularizing play on human’s need for a higher being is quite sickening and until this man starts making Monarch-esque decisions for me and the rest of my family, I’ll still be older and wiser than LeBron and wont consider him MY king… Now that we’ve brought this MAN back down to earth, we look at James, who defers too much in my opinion. How many games have they lost on a missed shot by Damon “my suits are from the Craig Sager line” Jones? How many per Lebron? Guys are makin this specific debate sound mad easy when its not. Lebron couldn’t score 81 cuz of one reason…free throws…didn’t Kobe hit 22/25 that game? Lebron and that chicken wing jumper aint cuttin it from the stripe…or the arc… And how many game winners does he have? A few, okay, I’ll admit, but most of em come against the wiz…a team known for their stellar d..right??? At any rate, most people are keeping this about skill, which I as a Kobe fan appreciate.. I feel like I have a bit of an inside track on Kobe as I went to college with two of Lower Marion teammates. And the one thing they always said was that Kobe wasn’t trying to “be MJ” he was trying to be as good as MJ, so yeah, he copied every single MJ move he could find…And why does his game asthetically resemble Money’s so much? Well, since his dad played overseas Kobe couldn’t get his hands on any highlight tapes except Magic tapes and MJ tapes…
Thirdly, you got people who can be type-cast as “gear heads” “computer geeks”, etc. well Kobe is a “basketball geek” and yeah you laugh when you see him practicing jordan moves over and over…the same way you laugh when you see computer geeks discussing Mist or whatever…until he sends a virus through your school email directory… Its the same with Kobe…People thought he was kinda weird…He wasn’t from the mean streets of Philly so he was already “not tough enough” so to gain respect he perfected his game… Now this aint no sob story, its just a little light for yall still in the dark about son. Ballhog? A.I.? Doesn’t make teammates better? K.G.? For every fault he has that people rale against, other stars have the same ones but get a pass…Somebody please explain this to me… Is it because Kobe’s so good? Must be Now Lebron is good. Great… Unbelievable in fact…Im still not sold on the age thing til I see a birth certificate though…but he’s the next…Lebron. He’s no savior and he’s got his own weaknesses (like that rickety shot that PAUL SILAS helped him improve, not this scrub coach Mike Brown)..But nobody harps on em…well, I will cuz he aint my messiah and I aint scared of being turned into a pillar of salt for critiqin son’s game. Sure, he aint got that many holes in his game, but his knowledge of the game is right at the exact curve for a guy in his 5th year. Kobe’s got 6 more (winning!!) years of experience than him…counts for a lot when the deciding factor for super-athletes is the mind… And dont give me that “without Shaq” shit, cuz without Kobe hitting game winners, taking over the fourth quarter when Shaq’s saddled with fouls cuz he’s too outta shape to play d with his feet, Shaq doesn’t even make the 2nd round…plain and simple. As a matter of fact, Kobe was the best entry passer on the team for Shaq, giving him the ball in his sweet spots… And so Shaq starts fussing like a 7 foot baby (a 7 foot baby that could kick my ass, mind you). Taking veiled shots and then turning around and talking about team unity…It was a sickening display (I think I just channeled Bill Walton right there)… And even with the fall-off of the big fella, validating Mitch’s relenting to, as Shaq put it “fucking trade me!”, people still blame that shit on Kobe!! Now how unfair is that?! So can we say that Lebron was corrupted and a b-ball brat, and he’s only about his endorsements and his hummer when his jailbird momma bought that shit? that wouldn’t be fair either, huh? We dont see Lebronze’s dirty laundry, but Im sure he has it. But do we care to snoop and pester, nope we’re just ready to give him the torch cuz he rocks a 23 and he’s a high flyer with bonus passing ability. for me, it comes down to not the guy you build a team around, cuz they didn’t exactly “build” the Cav’s around Lebron as the most important piece, Big Z, was already there (but Im sure they did there best to tank games to get that number 1 pick). I don’t understand why people insist on comparing Lebron to Mike just cuz they both rock 23. They’re games couldnt be more different, not to mention they’re respective mindset regarding the game.. Yet, because Kob emulates his childhood hero’s drive, moves, and will to be the best, and garnered success from said emulation, he gets hated…Maybe its because deep down we feel cheated because all those times I pretended I was penny or Magic or Doc, I never made it? Im just throwing out random thoughts cuz for the life of me, I can’t understand why people don’t take the time to get to know what little of Kobe he lets us in on instead of listening to guys like Shaq shoot off at the mouth… If guys like Lebron over Kob, I don’t have a problem with that, just cuz there’s really no ceiling for young bull…but niggas sayin that its Lebron over Kob “in a heartbeat” etc. are smokin more than I do…holla at me wit that good green, fa real… Its like the age old debate wit Magic and MJ… who would you rather have watchin your back in a knife-fight? Kobe’s got that killer instinct that gets him over the hump when physical talent evens out (meaning: playoffs).. Kobe’s got more hardware, plays better D and his assists are rising…Not cuz he’s passing more, but because guys are making shots, and if you think that Lebron would have his way with Kobe in the post, think again…It was only 2 or 3 years ago when Kob was 240lb. as well, he aint no dandylion!! Like Kob hasn’t forgotten more post moves than Lebron will ever know… And the kicker is that when Kobe’s got the ball in the waning seconds of the game, you get scared…Its okay to admit it, we’re all family here…well most of us anyway… For me, its Kob, hands down…Jack of all trades soon finds himself master of none… Im just happy commentors are classy enough to not go into the whole rape thing…Making jokes about rape (regardless who: victim/”perceived” assailent) aint cool…Cuz yall never know when your gonna be at the bar in memphis or in ohio, or in PA when you get a girl, lay ya thing down and then get accused of rape…But some of yall aint even old enough to even get into bars yet, so I digress… Lebron vs. Kobe
Obi-Wan vs. Anakin…
hey, without a supervillian, a superhero aint shit but a weightlifter in tight spandex…heard it here first…

Nov.14 at 5:46 pm

Marcel Mutoni says:
tomorrow is going to be a lot of fun

Nov.14 at 5:51 pm

Shiz says:
LOL. Ladies and Gentlemen: Marcel Mutoni, Master of the Understatement. Lol.

Nov.14 at 5:59 pm

hall of famer says:
I love watchin Bron’s ballin but Kobe is da man.He just has a better skills,his playing style is not as physical as Bron but his shot is simply pure,way better than LJ.People doesnt respect his game as it should be respected.After last season there’s just one name going through the league-Dwanye and with all love for Wade its pretty shitty for me.Some people stops hating on kobe but its still like KB24 against the world.
ps.Fuck ya’all haters!!!choke on kobe’s wet socks!!!

Nov.14 at 6:03 pm

STEVEN says:
I disagree with everyone one of you guys saying Lebron is so much more unselfish than Kobe is. There are plenty of moments when Lebron forces his jumper, and totally disregards his teammates much the same way Kobe does. I’m not saying that Lebron is just as selfish, but everyone rags on Kobe’s selfishness while Lebron does show the same attitude. I don’t believe Phil Jackson’s triangle offense is set up to have big assist men anyway. It’s no wonder Kobe’s best ast performance (6.0 apg) came when Phil wasnt around in the 2005-06 season! Besides let’s compare Kobe’s numbers to the numbers of MJ and the Bulls magical 95-96 season. MJ : 30.4 PPG 6.6 RPG 4.3 APG
Bulls : 105.2 PPG KB: 35.4 PPG 5.3 RPG 4.5 APG
Lakers: 99.4 PPG We have ZERO problem calling MJ the greatest player to grace the hardwood, but we’re having a debate about Kobe being the best as of now? Both players had Phil and the triangle offense to run thus, I believe, the lower APG than that of Lebron or Wade. Otherwise, Kobe could be near the 6.0 apg of his 05-06 season. AND the Bulls scored 6 points more than the Lakers did per game and MJ had less APG. So I ask again, running the same offense with the same head coach and putting up similar individual performances, we have NO problem naming MJ best ever, but we have a problem naming Kobe best of right now?!

Nov.14 at 6:11 pm

Lucky #slevin says:
Kobe should be #1 he has 3 rings and like 8 all-defensive team and is a better scorer than lebron.

Nov.14 at 6:26 pm

Drolfe says:
Damn Shiz. Thats gotta be the longest post ive ever seen.

Nov.14 at 6:27 pm

Reggie Evans says:
shiz, you should get a column! or should i call you “SCOOP”? I know it’s you, Scoop!

Nov.14 at 6:33 pm

Shiz says:
I do my best…
And while I did start reading SLAM because of his unique writing style and fresh realism…I’m no Scoop Jackson…He’s a little guy with a lot of hair…Im kinda tall, bald (by choice) and still waiting for SLAM to offer a column -hint, hint- wink, wink-

Nov.14 at 6:38 pm

chronically_ill says:
People hate on Kobe for not passing enough, but MJ used to have the same problem too. Kobe is learning when he should pass and when he should dominate. For Kobe, that’s hard, cuz he knows he can just singlehandedly take over a game anytime he wants to (81 points anyone?)

Nov.14 at 7:21 pm

chronically_ill says:
i dont really think you can compare kobe with Lebron, because they play different games. sure, they both play the swingman position and they both have ridiculous hops, but i think the similarities end there. Kobe has better balance, better footwork, more control, and a purer J, whereas Lebron just seems all over the place. dont get me wrong, lebron is already one of the game’s best players, but he seems to be able to play in one speed only. the man is like freight train sometimes when he drives. i dont think the man stop himself when he goes to the hoop.

Nov.14 at 7:21 pm

Simon says:
Great work Shiz. No real point in writing anything for tomorrow Slam, jus copy-paste what Shiz just wrote. You’ve got real talent man

Nov.14 at 7:21 pm

serbia23 says:
KOBE KOBE KOBE dats dat lebron alright but he cant shoot dat good, not a good defender, ball handling is average, kobe can shoot, good defender, really good ballhandler, the only thing lebron does better is pass but kobe can pass to its just his team needs him to score soooooooooooooooooKOBE

Nov.14 at 7:24 pm

chronically_ill says:
people are probably rating Lebron higher than Kobe, because Lebron has such a crazy physique. people are wondering what Lebron could do with that body of his in the future. however, even with that massive physique of his, i havent seen Lebron bust out that many effective post moves. maybe we’ll see Lebron add that part of his game down the line.

Nov.14 at 7:26 pm

keo says:
even an injured kobe right now is still better than 95% of the players in league rite now. hope kobe is number 1 cause he has a lot to prove this year

Nov.14 at 7:30 pm

chronically_ill says:
i guess people have different criteria for rating players. some consider age, their salary, their potential and stuff like that. however, i think all that stuff is just CRAP. when players hit the floor, all i care about is what they could do right HERE right NOW. i think the best way to rate players is by picking which players you would want most in a pickup game. Lebron might be younger, better built and have more potential than Kobe, but who would you want on your team right NOW? Lebron might give you more rebounds and assists, but you know when the chips are down Kobe will come out and dominate and win the game for you.

Nov.14 at 7:31 pm

Frodo says:
Lebron should be first, Kobe is playing weak right now, and his team is doing well with his new position. KG should have been ranked higher.

Nov.14 at 7:47 pm

jbn74sb says:
Nicely said, Shiz. It’s mind boggling to me how few people saw through Shaq’s b.s., all while the media is giving him a pass. The irony of it all is that Shaq broke up the Lakers by demanding a ridiculous extension and whining about Kobe becoming the focal point, and then managed to convice EVERYONE that Kobe broke it up. And I’m not talking about just your average dipshits. Shaq had (and has) some fairly intelligent friends of mine convinced that it was all Kobe’s fault…

Nov.14 at 7:50 pm

G says:
Bah, both these guys are overrated. Wade’s better than both. Let’s have a look see:
.
All 3 have the offensive game down; Kobe has an edge defensively; LeBron lacks the clutchness; Kobe is missing the team aspect
.
So down to Kobe and Wade? Both have won a championship. Both had Shaq. One had him in his prime avergaging 30ppg, 14rpg, and 3bpg. The other had him averaging career lows in every category imaginable. Guess the nod goes to Dwade?

Nov.14 at 8:04 pm

Clay says:
Cheryl, I could not agree with you more!
I can’t believe that Wade came in 3rd! If Jordan (circa93) played in the 2006 finals he would have went to the line 40 times instead of 23! Lets get over the fact that D-Wade shot a lot of free throws to win the chip. He EARNED those shots, he took it hard at Mavs and they had NO answers… Jordan did the same thing against the Suns in ‘93 but he made a lot of crazy lay ups with heaps of contact. Live in the now… The game is called differently now. I don’t agree with it but its the way it is… so stop all the hating on Wade! He IS the best player in game right now.
And I don’t want hear anything about how Shaq is the reason they won blah blah blah… The guy scored 9 points and had a couple of rebounds in game 6 of the NBA finals! That is weak man… at least Zo was playing D!
Wade is the man. Kobe is a bitch & Bron is still coming of age.
And what’s with the tease SLAM? The list has been hit n miss at best… lets just get it over & done with! Damn…

Nov.14 at 8:06 pm

Clay says:
Wait a second… I can hear something. Oh, its the sound of G hitting the nail on the head!!!
Nice post G

Nov.14 at 8:09 pm

Clay says:
Lang, you suck! Tell us who is #1 already!
Just coz the Hawks are winning doesn’t mean you can take a holiday and wave your massive hawks foam finger in the air all day in the slam office.

Nov.14 at 8:14 pm

Clay says:
Who gives a shit who’s fault it was the Lakers split the dynasty up! Both Shaq and Kobe are wankers that whinge way too much… all that matters is that Wade is respected for dragging Shaq’s fat ass over the championship hurdle when Kobe could not! (refer to ‘03 & ‘04 playoffs)

Nov.14 at 8:30 pm

Jonathan says:
Kobe without a doubt should be # 1 and it isnt even close. Let see here: Kobe: 3 Rings
Lebron: Zero Kobe: 5 times all defensive 1st once 2nd team
Lebron: hasnt been on 2nd team all defense even once Kobe:Slam Dunk Champion
Lebron: To Scared to compete in one Kobe:Has the record for most 3’s made in a single game.
Lebron: His jumper is ugly and is still suspect. Kobe: Has the killer instinct when need in the clutch,
Lebron: Will drive kick out open passes to have teammates take game winning shots. Kobe: 81 FUCKING points Second Most in NBA History.
Lebron: Isnt his career high 56 points? Here’s Lebron Lovers Favorite Excuse: Uhh… but he’s still young give him time.

Nov.14 at 8:41 pm

Elyse says:
G- Kobe actually has three championships (compared to one, and last I checked 3 is >1). And, he was just as pivotal in those as Wade was in this past year’s run. He hit game winners and took over fourth quarters in game six, seven, or whenever necessary; he didn’t get to shoot 97 free throws or whatever that ridic number is while he was at it. C’mon man, be serious. Also, he has like six all-defense titles. Sorry, but your hammer missed .

Nov.14 at 8:47 pm

Vince Fan says:
KOBE
ball hog team didnt win not getting better
LEBRON
7 assists a game almost upset pistons is 22 22 some people are not even rookies at 22 and hes getting better newe mj not wade even 23

Nov.14 at 8:53 pm

Clay says:
Jonathon, those 3 rings that you speak of don’t count in my opinion… Kobe didn’t do any more than derek fisher, robert horry or rick fox. Unless you carry your team to a chip like D-Wade did, you’re just part of a well oiled machine. I guess what I’m trying to say is, if there was no Shaq & no Phil Jackson, Kobe would have jack shit! Oh wait, he’d have a dunk comp trophy… Richardson has two of those, does that make him number #1? dumbass… Oh yeah, lets remember that those 81 points came against the Raptors!

Nov.14 at 8:54 pm

Maggie says:
lebron. assists. points. rebounds. kobe. points. lebrons #1.

Nov.14 at 9:02 pm

DeezyBAby says:
Kobe #1 Lebron #2…Its close but after kobeS presence leads team U.S.A then yall will see what it is.!

Nov.14 at 9:04 pm

Elyse says:
Clay- um, wait are you saying wade doesn’t have shaq and riley (I consider Riley a pretty f-ing good coach as well…)? I am confused. And I am pretty sure you lost all credibility when you said Kobe was the same as “horry, or rick fox.” Is it fun being in that much denial? I bet it takes up a lot of energy.

Nov.14 at 9:06 pm

Elyse says:
AND, that is still 81 points that wade hasn’t scored. EVEN against the bobcats, and half of the other weak a** teams in the Eastern conference.

Nov.14 at 9:21 pm

truth should be told says:
ok let me just say let kobe be #1 on this list because in 2 yrs lebron gonna be #1 on every list so kb8 wait kb24 for #1

Nov.14 at 9:23 pm

Brad says:
1. Kobe
2. King James
Kobe can be a clutch player, he can drop big points, he can play defense and he can win titles. He has 3 NBA titles, 1 world champ. He has a career average of 23.8 ppg, he put up 35 every night last year including dropping 82 and 61! plus he can shoot free throws! Kobe has the ability to drop points or get assists whenever he wants. He has the ability to take over games at his will. Besides, James is gonna win everything starting in a few years. Right now, KOBE BRYANT IS THE BEST PLAYER IN THE NBA. NUFF’ SAID

Nov.14 at 9:28 pm

Clay says:
Finally! I’ve pissed off someone that has there lips firmly wrapped around Kobe’s d!ck!
I was wondering what it would take… I now know that reminding people that Kobe had some excellent role players around him to shoulder the burden of actually trying to win while Kobe was too busy trying to look good.
Young Shaq that dunks on everyone or shitty old Shaq that can’t even get 10 rebounds a game… Hmmm… Gee I wonder how Kobe won 3 chips vs Wades 1? Shaq & Kobe should have won at least 5 man! C’mon… Kobe is so over rated!

Nov.14 at 9:41 pm

ForeHead says:
Vote here now for Tripple X to be number 1!! where are you XXX? need some of ur wisdom.. Ak47 better then kobe??

Nov.14 at 9:46 pm

TrippleX says:
umm guys guys guys… why you hating on the raptors? if any of you were watching the game, the raptors were leading until the 4th q. after that, kobe had like all the lakers pts… hes just that good. kobes career high came on the raps with 81 pts. lebron career high against raptors and 56 pts. so any1 saying shit about the raptors are kobe is high. watch out for my boy cb4 and the raps this yr and next. theyre one team to watch for…

Nov.14 at 9:52 pm

New era says:
A Clay your a dumbass. Granted d-wade did have a watered down shaq lets look at the rest of the heat squad. Walker better than hoory except in the clutch, j-will better than fisher, GP hit like 2 game winners that series. That squad was better than almost all the lakers squads(except 2000, and 04). KB24 is number 1.

Nov.14 at 10:02 pm

Todd Dowey says:
you crackheads put AI ahead of Kobe in the 96 draft revisited–advertising that your hindsight is 20/20. And now Kobe is the best or second best while AI chills back in sixth position. So, using my 20/20 hindsight about your best player lists i have concluded that listening to your opinions are a waste of f-in time. They don’t stay consistent from month to month. Put down the pipe and step away from the crack and next time you are on your way to make another list don’t end up making a stop at the free crack give a way. Send Tyrone a postcard instead, and get ur heads out cho sunshine blocking behinds.

Nov.14 at 10:08 pm

mexXxican says:
well its common math.. 24 > 23

Nov.14 at 10:18 pm

Noah Doucette says:
wow 121 responses

Nov.14 at 10:27 pm

ahmed says:
wtf was slam thinkin bogut,darko, and AI number six fuckin bull shit. go watch a few nba games who is leading canidate for mvp. And vince not in top 15 or t mac.

Nov.14 at 10:28 pm

Chief says:
yo i think Earl Boykins sholuld be number ! nuff said baby.
Melo actaullly cause i love that man. And as much as i love Kobe…which i don’t he shouldn’t be on this list. THis is about value. What value does Kobe have to the lakers. he is never gonna ever bring them back to the finals.I’ll bet my fucking cock on that…and i love my cock. And DWade should have been highter. He is the new face of the NBA. Lebron for the real fans, DWade for the world. Melo for people who love Basketball.
Fcuk your couch KOBE!

Nov.14 at 10:30 pm

Chief says:
oha sn this “And then there were tow” is bul shit stop tryign to gauge our reaction. Shit i miss Scoop jackson even more at least he was straight up and made me stop and think about Kobe. AN dsure Scoop he is a good man, i will not argue with that but why does he have to always draw attention to himself. Just play the game dont’ make it fucking a soap opera. That’s what the Lakers have fucking become the Young and the restless.
The Truth

Nov.14 at 10:48 pm

Clay says:
Stop tryin’ to make excuses New era… The lakers fucked up and they have Kobe & Shaq to thank for that. But since the choice was to keep Kobe and watch how many ill advised shots he can throw up, I’m going pick on Kobe. All he had to do was shut the fuck up and let Shaq have his way until he got old and wait for the balance of power to shift his way…. but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO he had to the NOW! And that would have been fine if he actually won a finals MVP even once out of 3 trips to finals.
Kobe is a man child that will never realise what it takes to be a TEAM PLAYER! I’m sure he still thinks that he should have been the highest paid during Shaq/Kobe era… that’s how fuckin stupid he is!

Nov.14 at 10:59 pm

ENUT4EVA says:
Mamba no. 1 who gives a fukk about the rest. When it comes to a favorite we all arque the same reasons but when it comes to the spectacular, game winning shots, ending of franchises (i.e portland trailblazers), winning ballgames single-handed(to many times to mention, i.e portland trailblazers 2000-2001), dealing with the pressure of being the most hated player in the leaque(kobe haterz everywhere) for doing what youve grown up loving and givin youre all too. The real reason that people cant give credit where credit is due is because more than likely for the time when the lakers were shining they had to sit their dumb asses there and watch their teams get their heads tore off. Nobody liked the pistons when they won it all except cats from Detroit but still i remember catz everywhere celebrating the defeat of golaith as if their david had done it themself. Lebron will never compare to Kobe and thats why im not really goin to mention him, because when the haterz say it not all about stats, they bring up his stats, when they say it was about team ball, they bring up his one appearance to the playoffs(LAST YEAR). The Lakers made it too in the western conference in fact and took the second best team to seven games. And to measure that correctly that same phoenix suns team beat the clippers handly who most would say had a better team than the lakers last yr. And for those with the dwade vote he was impressive but if shaq is a lame duck this yr then just get used too seeing those catz gettin blown like they were live in roommates with supahead(i.e bobby brown). Kobe 24 3 more titles, KG next yr, and all you bitch made haterz with no facts to spit, keep your asses shut and your mouths wide open and succ a dicc. Shots out to L.O with all youve been through youve been a real soldier and an example to all fathers on what true love is. Wishing the best to u and your family.

Nov.14 at 10:59 pm

Showgun says:
LBKING for #1. RECOGNIZE.

Nov.14 at 11:33 pm

LordGefroh says:
I hate Kobe, but it boils down to one thing: championships. Kobe: 3
LeBron: 0 Advantage: Kobe While LeBron might be the best player to ever play the game when it’s all said and done, he has yet to prove that he can win when it counts. RIGHT NOW Kobe is the best player in the league (apologies to Mark Madsen).

Nov.14 at 11:47 pm

Wedgie Evans says:
I honestly have no idea how you all could forget about Ben Handlogten. That is inexcusable.

Nov.15 at 12:10 am

Spaceman says:
Okafor smh…after this is over..do your top 20 mistakes? and then do the real one.

Nov.15 at 12:14 am

Mike says:
#1 Jerome James
#2 Antoine Walker

Nov.15 at 12:25 am

CASHVILLE says:
If the KING is numero deuce than Business Lebron should be the sole controller. It’s a shame how all the Kobe lobbying still hasn’t changed my mind. I’d say I was 90/10 lebron before today’s post and know I’m about 80/20. Keep up the good work fellas.

Nov.15 at 12:26 am

CASHVILLE says:
NOW NOW NOW

Nov.15 at 12:33 am

Jonathan says:
Clay must be the most ignorant person on this thread when it comes to basketball.He seriously cant enough by slurping and cant get enough from DWad by taking it up the ass from DWADE. DWade should thank the refs for his championship last year with all the fantom calls he was geting and numbers dont lie when you have 97 free throws for the entire NBA Finals. Oh yeah and I guess you must have forgot when Kobe lead the Lakers to the win in Game 4 of the 2000 NBA Finals in OT after Shaq had fouled out and he did it on the road in Indiana after comeing back from a badly sprained ankle in Game 2 of that NBA Finals series. Or you must have forgot the game winning shot he hit over the Jason Kidd and the Suns that 2000 Playoffs in the second round. Or you must have forgot how he played shut down D and blocked Allen Iverson like 10 times in the 2001 NBA Finals. Or maybe you forgot the back to back 40 point game he droped on the Kings in the second round of the 2001 NBA Playoffs. CLAY FUCKING SCHOOL YOUR ASS AND LEARN SOME HISTORY ON THE GAME BEFORE YOU COME ON HERE THINKING YOU CAN HYPE UP AND TRY AND TELL US DWade is better than KOBE.

Nov.15 at 12:34 am

Max Airington says:
Damn. I go to work for six hours and Shiz just slides right in my spot…..way to hold it down.

Nov.15 at 12:43 am

ENUT4EVA says:
jonathan nuff said

Nov.15 at 12:44 am

Elyse says:
well played jonathan. But dont you know the reason Kobe was able to do that is because a pre-teen d-wade cast a spell and switched bodies with Kobe (think freaky friday). So, it was actually D-wade. So, all those things, don’t count. Just ask Clay, he will tell you all about it.

Nov.15 at 12:56 am

ENUT4EVA says:
SHUT THE HELL UP THATS JUST STUPID AND IT AINT EVEN FUNNY

Nov.15 at 12:58 am

Fire_Isiah says:
Lebron number one simply for the future factor, Kobe is what he always will be and most likely that will not change. Lebron has another 14 or so years left in the league and he could get better and be Grant Hill Remix: Like Mike only better (Uninjured Version). Kobe is great don’t get me wrong but there is much more to look forward to with bron. Maybe 82 points V the Raps, maybe four rings, maybe more. Or he could do a shawn kemp after a few years and disappear and try and come back twice a week. Now is fine but looking ahead is making David Stern have wet dreams Lebron James #1. Isiah needs to get him now, but he won’t so fire his ass

Nov.15 at 1:05 am

LUIS says:
clay shut the fuck up u dont know shit about what happend with shaq and kobe it takes two people for there to be a conflict,and u get off of dwade’s and bron’s dick,no shaq and no phil well no pat and no shaq and no chip for dwade,bron still coming of age excuses people have to except it kobe is #1 and is better than mj get off bron’s,wade’s,and mj’s dick his old ass doesen even play anymore!

Nov.15 at 1:10 am

ENUT4EVA says:
HEY F ISIAH CAN U TELL ME WHEN THE QUESTION BECAME WHO WILL BE THE BEST PLAYER IN THE FUTURE DUMB ASSES

Nov.15 at 1:14 am

Dylan says:
all i can say is where is lamar odom on this list? behind darko? come on!!!!!!!!!! kobe’s #1–it’s not who’s gonna be better, and even that’s debatable, and kobe’s got the 3 rings, which shaq wouldn’t have gotten w/out him. kobe should also have at least 2 MVPs (the 2nd time duncan won, and last year). lebron’s great, but w/ 2 seconds on the clock…KOBE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!is # 1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nov.15 at 1:14 am

Max Airington says:
Two words. Fuck potential. Why? Two more words. Penny Hardaway.

Nov.15 at 1:36 am

Clay says:
You’re talkin bout 5-6 years ago, Jonathon… live in the now. Kobe, what have you done lately that involved team success???????????????
I know you love watching you’re re-runs & highlights from what feels like a lifetime agog but WTF happened to your boy last year? The year before that? and the year before that? Pffft… Kobe is a chump. This years Lakers would be better off without him…

Nov.15 at 1:41 am

Iceman says:
ask lebron who the best player in the game today is, nuff said…

Nov.15 at 1:43 am

ENUT4EVA says:
SO CLAY WHEN U MENTION JORDANS SUCCESS DOES THE TIME FRAME MAKE IT ANY LESS OF AN ACCOMPLISHMENT. A HATER IS A HATER AND I GUESS INSTEAD OF GIVING PROPS WHERE THEIR DUE U WOULD RATHER MAKE BOGUS ASS EXCUSES, BUT WITHOUT SHAQ DWADE AINT DONE SHIT AND LEBRON AINT DONE SHIT EXCEPT MAKE IT TOO THE PLAYOFFS, WHICH IS SOMETHING STERNBOT WILL DO FOR THE REST OF HIS CAREER. OH YA WHAT DID THE HEAT DO TONIGHT OR BETTER YET WHATS THEIR RECORD THIS SEASON. CASE RESTED

Nov.15 at 1:56 am

scott says:
Shiz throw out your top 10 or 15 respect your opinion and curious to see who it is

Nov.15 at 2:12 am

Fire_Isiah says:
you are a bunch of mutes, do you think Darko is in this list for being one of the fifty best players right now, coming off the bench for orlando, no. because he has the potential to kill teams. This list obviously takes other stuff into account besides how many points they average or any stats, lebron is vital to the cav’s, if he is out the cav’s would win between 0-10 games all season. The lakers won their first 2 games without kobe. Does that make Lebron better? not at this point but wait 2,3 years and get back to me. You are thicker than Isiah say something with meaning besides mouthing you bunch of whiners. You make some of Isiah’s moves look like einstein brainwaves. Fools

Nov.15 at 2:52 am

Paolo says:
Lebron James is set to rewrite the history books. No other player before him has had this complete a game to go with this sure-as-hell-Im-fucking-better attitude. He has the OVER-ALL numbers to back-up any claim. Which is why he is number two. Sure, he has nerves of steel in the clutch but something tells me that he still isn’t there yet. And for all the things that the entire human race hate about Kobe, one thing is concrete. When the game is on the line, no other player is more feared than Kobe Bryant. He is almost Jordan. he just fucks games. Better than the entire NBA combined. Look at who the Lakers have. Yet, they still made the play-offs last year and almost beat the oh-so better Suns. Right now, as far as their careers are concerned, Kobe Bryant has done more to merit the big dog status. On his back, he changed the number from 8 to 24. On this list, there will be changes. Kobe Bryant is number 1.

Nov.15 at 3:24 am

batman06 says:
It is criminal that Lamar Odom was nowhere in the top fifty, but Darko and J Smooth were…

Nov.15 at 4:17 am

Dbomb says:
Kobe will be number 1. He is truly progressing the sport of b-ball, whether it be the the dunk contest, championship, or dropping 81. LBJ will be ecellent, but right now KB is the man on top. He is the first of the new generation of High School players drafted to succeed in the NBA. Kobe is the best player of all high school drafted players. I don’t even like him to tell you the truth, but he is too damn good. When I first moved from Boston to California in 5th grade I thought I would be Celtics for life. I still am, but for a brief period of time I became a laker fan. This was when the lakers had Shaq, Eddie JOnes, Nick Van, and Kobe. I could reminisce forever, but that team was the greatest team to ever be a fan of.

Nov.15 at 4:31 am

Mike says:
1. Jerome Willaims
2. Eddie House
3. Candace Parker

Nov.15 at 4:58 am

Steve says:
seriously how could kobe not be number 1 ….lebron is good and all but kobes got 3 rings numerous scoring records and the kid hit 81 points seriously you cant put him number 2

Nov.15 at 5:15 am

sp says:
1.Rick Brunson

Nov.15 at 5:17 am

sp says:
tuff… id have to go wit lebron because he’s younger. Thats it!Its no disrespect to kobe but LBJ has more yrs infront of him rite now.

Nov.15 at 5:57 am

Roméo says:
Kobe for number one. For this year at least, and may be for the last year. Big Lebron has all the potential to overthrown Kobe soon. The coming years are for him.

Nov.15 at 6:04 am

ash says:
KOBE IS DA BEST
AS IF LEBRON COULD EVA TAKE KOBE

Nov.15 at 6:08 am

kobe no 1 says:
LEBRON MAY HAVE DA DUNKS BUT HE AINT GOT NO SHOT
KOBE HAS AND DAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

Nov.15 at 8:12 am

Poona says:
Starting a team, you take LeBron…
Switch both players, are the Lakers better with Kobe or LeBron??
Are the Cavs better with Kobe or LeBron??
I know its comparing players today, but if we go back a bit, at the same age, was Kobe as good as LeBron?
Will LeBron be as good, or better than Kobe when he’s Kobes age?
whats the stats like? Whats the team records like? What little things do they bring, on top of the obvious stuff?
I think, out of those questions and whatever else you want to look at, you take LeBron…
Hands down, if you want someone to take that last shot, you probably go with Kobe…
But if you want someone who will take that shot OR find an open teammate who will hit that shot, you take LeBron…
I say LeBron no.1, overall, but its close

Nov.15 at 8:30 am

LordGefroh says:
WHERE’S BARON DAVIS???????????????????????????????

Nov.15 at 8:49 am

JG says:
Lebron for #1. Why? ‘Cause fuck it that’s why

Nov.15 at 9:20 am

Clay is a FU*Ken Idiot says:
NUFF SAID

Nov.15 at 10:40 am

daveoh says:
ask anyone in the league. even ask lebron. they’ll all tell you that kobe is the best player.

Nov.15 at 11:01 am

CASHVILLE says:
The sh*t might hit the fan if I hear another Penny Hardaway dis. I’m just saying…

Nov.15 at 11:22 am

Love & Basketball says:
I don’t think this list is really about who has more titles from what I’ve seen. Yao Ming is ranked higher than Shaq. Chris Paul is number 9. Its about the Top 50 in the league “right now”. I’d say the right now #1 player is Lebron, he’s been consistent with the numbers. No he hasn’t scored 81, but the things he does on the court in addition to scoring to help his team win games are what counts. Yes Kobe’s been less greedy lately, but I still say Lebron edges him out.. http://loveandbasketball2.blogspot.com

Nov.15 at 11:35 am

JG says:
…If i see a tie or somethin’, I’m gunna lose my shit. Has anyone seen my shit??

Nov.15 at 11:55 am

Jonathan says:
Ask the G.O.A.T. Michael Jordan himself and he will tell you that Kobe Bryant is the best on the planet right now. He said it at his summer league camp in Santa Barbra and said while he was in Europe when the media asked him.

Nov.15 at 11:58 am

RonMexico says:
ask anyone who’d they take for their team.
kobe (the narc that tried to rat out shaq- “shaq does this all the time and doesn’t get in shit”) or bron the king of narnia. easy choice.

Nov.15 at 12:30 pm

rob says:
why is there no poll for no.1??? that would have been interesting!

Nov.15 at 12:56 pm

Showgun says:
Today is the day, for all the SLAM MAG junkies. My vote for the number 1 spot, Is KING JAMES. Sorry KOBE, but like LUDACRIS said with regards to LB coming for top spot of the NBA. “I’m COMING FOR THE NUMBER 1 SPOT.

Nov.15 at 1:01 pm

johnnyblaze says:
I think LBJ should be #1, with the things he’s doing for his team, it’s just incredible

Nov.15 at 1:25 pm

Andre Moore says:
Kobe is the best player in the nba, but king james is the best player in the nba

Nov.15 at 1:41 pm

Maurice says:
I knew that it was going to come down to these two I think that Kobe should be number 1. Lebron is good but kobe is better.

Nov.15 at 2:09 pm

Showgun says:
LordGefroh right, WHERE THE HELL IS Baron Davis on this list. I can’t believe slam wrote him off. The dude is the most important player for the BAY AREA (Golden State. I think BD is going to be healthy all year, because all he has to do is the point god system under the DON MEGA, and everyone knows Don Nelson system plays no defense, which saves alot of enegry for an run and gun game. If anyone likes to listen to The Games his new CD is in stores now, I’m only pimping it because I’m from the WESTCOAST, his beats are old school, I hope he does well with out Dr Dre.

Nov.15 at 2:45 pm

rob stewart says:
sp, rick brunson got cut. i still got mad love for him though.

Nov.15 at 2:58 pm

allenp says:
I disagreed with Shiz on his comments about AI and KG. Those are the exact things people criticize them for, particularly AI. If anything, Iverson has gotten more flack for it considering who people have wanted him to pass the ball to. Kobe often refused to pass to legitimate players. Iverson refused to pass to Clarence Weatherspoon. That’s all I have to say.

Nov.15 at 3:05 pm

Double J says:
Dude where are the results of this Top 50 brawl? I need them now yo…

Nov.15 at 3:16 pm

Shiz says:
AllenP: yeah, but neither of those guys are crucified for it either and they get excused for a multitude of reasons…which is what I meant by “they get a pass”…meanwhile Kobe stays the dreaded ‘blackhole’ etc., etc and nothing he does will change the perception… But thanx for illustrating my point for me… Scott:
My top 15 in no particular order are as follows:
1) Kobe Bryant
2) Tim Duncan
3) Lebronze James
4) Dwyane Wade
5) Yao Ming
6) Shawn Marion
7) Jason Kidd
8) Vince Carter
9) Shaquille O’Neal
10)Kevin Garnett
11)Carmelo Anthony
12)Steve Nash
13)Amare Stoudamire
14)Dirk Nowitzki
15)Chauncey Billups

Nov.15 at 3:17 pm

jbn74sb says:
Put down the PS3 and hurry the f-ck up with the top 2!

Nov.15 at 3:17 pm

Max Airington says:
Kidd, Marion, Carter AND Shaq in front of Nash? Dirk at 14?

Nov.15 at 3:20 pm

Shiz says:
Notice that I left Tmac & BDavis off the list. Until th