Former American tennis player and Coco Gauff’s former coach, Brad Gilbert, is known for his blunt and unfiltered commentary. He didn’t hold back when a new all-time top-100 NBA list dropped. Gilbert criticized several placements, arguing that multiple players were ranked incorrectly. For the uninitiated, his analysis isn’t limited to tennis; he also routinely weighs in on major sports, such as the NFL and NBA.
Coco Gauff’s Former Coach Brad Gilbert Bluntly Criticizes NBA Top 100 Players List, Featuring LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Others
Recently, Bleacher Report unveiled its list of the Top 100 NBA Players of All Time. The rankings featured a host of legends, led by six-time NBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Jordan, who ranked No. 1. LeBron James claimed the second spot. At the same time, fellow Lakers icon Kareem Abdul-Jabbar followed at No. 3.
However, Gilbert took issue with Kobe Bryant being placed at No. 11, despite the Lakers legend’s five championships and 18 All-Star selections. He also challenged the high ratings given to James and Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden, who came in at No. 34.
“LeBron way to high Kobe way to low crazy to have Harden that hight and ahead of Rick Barry ridiculous,” he wrote on X.
Labron way to high Kobe way to low crazy to have Harden that hight and ahead of Rick Barry ridiculous https://t.co/GeVuoU7kFi
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) December 11, 2025
The 64-year-old later wrote, “i’ve got kobe ahead of LeBron at least 2-3 spots.”
i’ve got kobe ahead of Labron at least 2-3 spots
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) December 11, 2025
The former world No. 4 later remarked that many young people don’t realize just how exceptional Rick Barry (ranked 41st on the list), Bob McAdoo (ranked 61st on the list), and Dennis Rodman (ranked 67th on the list) were during their careers, highlighting their overlooked greatness.
young people have no idea 🤷♂️ how good Rick was same with Bob Mac and Rodman
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) December 11, 2025
As a player, Gilbert reached a career-high ranking of world No. 4 in singles, captured 20 ATP singles titles, and won the bronze medal in men’s singles at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. As a coach, he is best known for guiding Andre Agassi back to world No. 1 and multiple Grand Slam titles, helping Andy Roddick win the 2003 US Open and reach the top ranking, working with Andy Murray early in his rise on tour, and most recently assisting Coco Gauff during her 2023 breakthrough season that included her maiden US Open crown.
Never one to hide his passion for sports, Gilbert also closely follows American football, tracking the Las Vegas Raiders. He freely shares candid post-game opinions on X, even in 2025, a season that saw the Raiders falter.
The season turned utterly dismal for Tom Brady’s team, despite offseason additions of legendary coach Pete Carroll and veteran quarterback Geno Smith. A fourth consecutive loss to the Los Angeles Chargers effectively ended their playoff hopes. Recently, Gilbert even suggested a complete rebuild, including demoting Smith to the practice squad.
