National Basketball Association

Kobe Bryant The Greatest Since MJ, Says Shaq; Is He Right?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Kobe Bryant, not LeBron James or Tim Duncan, is the greatest player of the post-Michael Jordan era, according to recently inducted Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O’Neal.

This one is sure to rile up the worshipers and apologists of King James.

Shaquille O’Neal is not convinced that LeBron James is the greatest player since Michael Jordan. Well, he didn’t say it in as many words. But when asked to pick the best player of the post-Jordan era, O’Neal went with his former Los Angeles Lakers teammate, who Mamba’d Out this April.

If you are — in the words of Charles Barkley — an “analytics geek,” you’d feel borderline insulted by Shaq’s verdict.

Every advanced metric screams that James is superior to Bryant. And it’s not even close.

James is almost twice as good a player than Bryant, according to their career Player Impact Estimate (PIE). James’ impact on a game (18.9) shatters Bryant’s PIE of 8.9.

Even traditional stats support James, who leads Bryant in points per game, rebounds per game, assists per game, steals per game, blocks per game, and field goal percentage.

.theiaPostSlider_nav._lower {display: none !important}

Bryant, who has one less Finals MVP award, leads James in All-NBA Teams (15-12), All-Defensive Teams (12-6), All-Star appearances (18-12) and scoring titles (2-1). But James, who has at least five good years left in the tank, is on track to surpass those accolades.

Advanced stats can’t gauge the intangibles that players on the court are more aware of. For example, Stephen Curry won the 2014-15 MVP award but the players voted for James Harden.

But O’Neal wasn’t picking an MVP for just one season. He was gauging the 20-year career of Kobe Bryant, the 13-year career of James and the 19-year career of Duncan before pronouncing his verdict.

Meanwhile, here are the results of ESPN’s Poll. Kobe Bryant (48 per cent) leads LeBron James (36 per cent) and Tim Duncan (9 per cent).

Most dominant 1-2 punch ever?

The Diesel spoke profoundly of Bryant on the eve of his HOF induction ceremony, during an appearance on ESPN First Take.

When asked who he’d pick between himself, James, Bryant and Hakeem Olajuwon, O’Neal said:

“I’d have to go with the Kobester (Bryant). His attitude was Jordan-like, you know take over games, especially in the fourth quarter. For example, when I tested Kobe out for his last gas, I asked him if we could get me 50 points. At first, he said ‘Nah I’m not going to do it.”

O’Neal spoke of the times when Bryant had his back during the three-peat years.

“But then when he saw me out there (during a game), and when he started going, he’d come up to me and go ‘You want me to get 50? I’d do it for you’. And he’s always had that ability.
There would be times, in games, especially during the playoffs when I’d be tired and I’d just tell Kobe ‘I need you to take over’. And he’d take over every time. 50/50 times he would deliver.”

During the 2001 Playoffs, the Bryant-O’Neal combo was at the peak of its prowess.

Bryant averaged 29.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists while O’Neal averaged 30.4 points, 15.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks as the Lakers steamrolled through the postseason to a 16-1 record.

“There was never a time when I asked Kobe to take over a game and he didn’t perform. So, to answer your question I’ve got to go with the Kobester,” said O’Neal of Bryant.

Earlier on the show, O’Neal expressed regret over the ugly break-up with Bryant ahead of the 2004-05 season.

“You don’t how good you got something until it’s gone. When I left that (situation in L.A.), I got Dwayne Wade, a similar type player, but after that I was like ‘I had the greatest player ever’, we could have won 6-7 championships together.

“You live and you learn,” rued the 1999-2000 MVP and three-time Finals MVP.

He also maintained that they were the greatest 1-2 punch in NBA history.

“I say this now, we are the most dominant 1-2 punch, little guy and big guy (combination), ever created.”

April 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) shoots the basketball during the first half against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Spurs 112-101. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

What about Tim Duncan?

Besides Bryant and James, there is a legitimate case for Duncan and Shaq, too, as the greatest player since Jordan.

It was a little perplexing that First Take Max Kellerman clubbed Hakeem Olajuwon in the same era as Bryant, Duncan and James, since The Dream entered the league during the same year as Jordan.

Speaking of Duncan, the Spurs organization, not to mention its classy fan base, doesn’t indulge in the G.O.A.T discussions because they know what The Big Fundamental meant to that city and team.

If it weren’t for Duncan, Gregg Popovich, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili wouldn’t be future Hall of Famers. Popovich admitted as much during his emotional farewell speech to Duncan.

“I would not be standing here if it wasn’t for Tim Duncan. I’d be in the Budweiser League someplace in America, fat and still trying to play basketball or coach basketball. But he’s why I’m standing. He’s made livings for hundreds of us, staff and coaches, over the years.”

Duncan, through his leadership, gave birth to other leaders around him. Jordan, Bryant and James can’t stake claim to that.

spurs

Air Alamo 2wA Way Too Early 2017 Spurs Free Agency Preview

More headlines around FanSided:

2w - Tony Parker Still Has A lot Left In His Tank 2w - San Antonio Spurs: The Good, Bad and Ugly From 2016 NBA Offseason 2w - Pau Gasol Scores 23 For Spain In Loss To Team USA 2w - What To Expect From Dejounte Murray 3w - Ranking The Top 5 Power Forwards In Spurs HistoryMore News at Air Alamo

Duncan never missed the playoffs in his career and gave birth to the most unassuming dynasty in sports history.

When Jordan retired for the second time in 1998, he reportedly left the Chicago Bulls on bad terms. Following Jordan’s departure, the Bulls didn’t reach the playoffs for six seasons.

Bryant missed the playoffs during the final three seasons of his career and is leaving the Lakers in a torrid state.

The jury is still out on James, but he has yet to build a winning culture, in one city, for an extended period of time.

Therefore, Duncan is the kind of player you build a franchise around. While others were busy comparing great ISO players, Duncan and the Spurs quietly had 18 50+ win seasons (19 consecutive playoff berths) and five championships by embracing basketball for what it truly is — a team sport.

The Spurs’ Way is the right way and that’s why Duncan’s lasting impact should outlive most of the greats who preceded him.

One could argue that Kobe Bryant, too, has inspired a generation of players. The likes of Kevin Durant, Andrew Wiggins, Paul George and James Harden idolized him while growing up.

Popovich wants Bryant to mentor Kawhi Leonard going forward.

Until recently, Bryant was consistently voted as the favorite player among rookies in a league-wide poll conducted prior to every regular season.

So one could make a legitimate argument that Bryant inspired more players than anyone since Jordan. Even now, coaches ask young players to learn footwork by watching Bryant’s footage.

In conclusion, Shaquille O’Neal’s opinion ought to be respected. Reggie Miller, Charles Barkley and Larry Bird have also placed Bryant over James in their all-time lists.

But O’Neal, the four-time champion, is speaking of Bryant from the perspective of a teammate.

Bryant had an iconic career but Duncan is leaving behind a dynasty that is primed to maintain its winning habit.

When the dust settles, it’s a safe bet that James would irreversibly settle the debate, if he hasn’t already. All he needs to do is win one or two more championships.