Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts after turning the ball over against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half in game one of the second round of the 2011 NBA playoffs at the Staples Center. Dallas defeats Los Angeles 96-94.
May 2, 2011; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts after turning the ball over against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half in game one of the second round of the 2011 NBA playoffs at the Staples Center. Dallas defeats Los Angeles 96-94. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
NBA

‘Kareem Over Kobe Is Just Clickbait’ — NBA Fans Call Out Viral Team GOAT List’s Controversial Selections

NBA fans erupted on social media after Bleacher Report named Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the Lakers' greatest player over Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson.

A day after unveiling its controversial “Top 100 NBA Players of All Time” rankings, Bleacher Report released its list of “Every NBA Team’s Greatest Player of All Time.” As expected, a few snubs ruffled fans’ feathers, chiefly Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant’s omission.

Monday’s top 100 player rankings, voted on by Bleacher Report’s NBA staff, saw Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan edge out Lakers superstar forward LeBron James for the top spot. However, most took exception to Bryant, a five-time NBA champion and one of the fiercest competitors and shot creators in league history, slipping to 11th.

Building on the polarizing piece, Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale used the list to determine all 30 franchises’ GOATs, with each player only being allowed to be chosen once. While longevity with a single organization was a major factor, Bryant was among several greats who were overlooked, irking fans on X.

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NBA Fans Push Back Against Bleacher Report’s Team GOAT Picks

On Wednesday, Bleacher Report posted a snippet of its franchise GOAT choices on X.

The most contentious decision was crowning Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the Lakers’ GOAT over Bryant, despite the former splitting his 20-year career with the Milwaukee Bucks. Conversely, Bryant played each of his 20 seasons with the Purple and Gold.

“Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the quintessential example of how franchise GOATs contrast with individual rankings,” Favale wrote. “He routinely places ahead of Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson in overall all-time discussions, but you won’t catch anyone putting him in front of them when looking at Los Angeles Lakers GOATs alone.

“In this case, though, our criteria demands it. Abdul-Jabbar spent the vast majority of his career in purple and gold and finished comfortably ahead of Kobe (No. 11) while just edging out Magic (No. 4) in our all-time pecking order.”

Fans continued piling on the outlet, asserting that Bryant and fellow Lakers icon Magic Johnson were far superior options.

“First, you didn’t have Kobe in Top 10 all time. Now, you also didn’t name him as Lakers GOAT?! Wtf are you guys even doing?” one fan asked.

“Kareem over Kobe is just clickbait bro come on,” another said.

“KAREEM WHO ??? NOT KOBE NOT MAGIC BUT KAREEM OK ENOUGH IS ENOUGH,” one remarked.

“Alright man, who is trying to tarnish Kobe legacy,” another chimed in.

Meanwhile, others made cases for younger standouts like the Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Ja Morant and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being deserving of their organization’s GOAT titles. The two were beaten out by the likes of Pau Gasol and Kevin Durant, respectively.

“ja morant >>>>>> whoever tf pau gasol is lol,” one user wrote.

“SGA should be Thunder GOAT after last season, not Durant. Wtf?” another commented.

However, a few fans took the entire list with a grain of salt, accusing Bleacher Report of trying to cause a stir amid the offseason’s early stages.

“This list is cooked. Engagement farming at its finest,” one fan opined.

Regardless, the article appears to be gaining significant traction and sparking discussions about what constitutes a team’s GOAT.

Tristan Rawcliffe
Written by Tristan Rawcliffe

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