Dallas Mavericks star Klay Thompson expressed strong disappointment after Bleacher Report placed NBA legend Kobe Bryant at No. 11 in its list of the 100 greatest NBA players, defending Bryant’s legacy and influence. Thompson’s reaction highlights ongoing debates surrounding Bryant’s standing among basketball’s elites.
Klay Thompson Challenges Bryant’s Placement on Bleacher Report’s Ranking
The recent Bleacher Report ranking of basketball’s top 100 players placed Kobe Bryant just outside the top 10, following icons like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Steph Curry. Despite praise within the article, including the suggestion that Bryant might be the most influential player ever, many fans and players felt the ranking did not reflect his true impact.
Shaquille O’Neal, Bryant’s former teammate and close friend, called the ranking “criminal,” a sentiment echoed by Thompson, who took to Instagram to voice his dissatisfaction. Sharing a quote from former NBA player Etan Thomas that labeled the placement as “disrespect,” Thompson captioned it with “SMH,” showing his disapproval.
Thompson’s Tribute to Kobe and Criticism of Bryant’s Ranking
Thompson, who grew up idolizing Bryant, also posted a video of the Lakers star’s early career highlights alongside a forceful statement:
And this is just Fro-be # 8 … [expletive] is wrong with yall.
This highlighted Thompson’s view that Bryant’s skills and influence were vastly underestimated.
Speaking about Bryant in January, Thompson described him as a generational figure:
Ask anybody who was born around the time I was (in 1990), and he was like our Michael Jordan,
and added,
His style of play and his influence on the game on a global scale is something that is probably only second to Michael.
These reflections underline the deep respect and admiration Thompson holds for Bryant’s contributions to basketball.
The Broader Debate Over Kobe Bryant’s Legacy
Kobe Bryant’s placement sparked significant discussion about how players’ legacies are evaluated and ranked. With Bryant positioned just behind some of the game’s biggest names, many argue that his 20-year career, scoring achievements, and championship successes warrant a higher spot.
Thompson’s defense of Bryant not only reflects his personal connection but also echoes the feelings of many supporters who believe the Black Mamba’s impact goes beyond statistics, encompassing the inspiration he provided to a generation of players and fans worldwide.
As conversations continue, Bryant’s ranking on all-time lists like Bleacher Report’s remains a topic of passionate debate throughout the NBA community and among its followers.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Klay Thompson’s religion?
A. Thompson grew up with his brothers in a Catholic family. When he was 14, they relocated to Ladera Ranch, California. He finished high school at Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, graduating in 2008.