Before LeBron James took over, the Los Angeles Lakers’ last five championships were under the reign of one iconic player: the late Kobe Bryant. But as it usually happens in the NBA, conversations about the ultimate basketball GOAT have continued to exist.
Bryant, thanks to his dominant Lakers run, is often regarded as one of the greatest players to have ever played the game. However, if a few analysts and players are to be believed, Bryant was never seen as the ‘face of the league’.
Retired Celtics Legend Makes Bold Statement About Kobe Bryant’s Place in the League
While on a recent episode of the “No Fouls Given” show, Celtics icon Paul Pierce discussed the NBA and Bryant. According to Pierce, while Bryant will be forever iconic, he wasn’t the face of the league.
“The next face of the league is going to be Luka Dončić,” Pierce began.
The co-hosts asked him about his previous comment, even bringing up people like Shaquille O’Neal and Bryant.
Pierce, interrupting them, added: “Man, Kobe was never just the face of the league, you know. You know what I’m saying? It was Jordan…think about it. Kobe was young when Mike (Michael Jordan) retired. And then you can probably say like Shaq or something like that, or like, even (Allen) Iverson for a year or two. But you know what I’m saying?”
Wosny Lambre (Big Wos), who hosted the show with Pierce and Danny Green, seemed to agree. He went on to break down O’Neal’s impact, highlighting how his reach went beyond just basketball.
“I think cause even to this day, Shaq is one of the most famous globally people,” Big Wos said. “So Shaq was a big f–king star, bro. He was a very famous basketball player. To a level that none of these younger guys can compare to.”
Green added to Big Wos’ statement, mentioning how O’Neal has ventured into music and movies while maintaining his ‘big personality.’
While fans were offended by Pierce’s words, one can’t deny that this isn’t a black-and-white argument. Bryant’s first three titles came with O’Neal on his side, easily emerging as the standout player.
Though Bryant was the young and rising Lakers star, it was O’Neal who swept the Finals MVP title every single year (2000-2002).
If you look at Bryant’s remaining two titles in 2009 and 2010, LeBron James, the young kid from Akron, had already taken over the league with his talent. You also had others like Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh shine through.
By the time Bryant retired, Stephen Curry and his young Golden State Warriors were emerging as the next dynasty.
However, irrespective of what one says, Bryant’s impact in the NBA and with the Lakers remains unparalleled. The late legend spent his entire career in LA, outplaying multiple draft classes before stepping away after 20 years in 2016.
And while one can argue about the ‘face of the league’ conversation, Bryant’s status as an all-time GOAT is irrefutable.
