We all know that Kobe Bryant is a legendary figure in the NBA after all the things he did with the Los Angeles Lakers, the team whom he spent 20 seasons in the association. Kobe left his mark on the league but he took things to the next dimension with the purple and gold, becoming one of the biggest idols in the history of the franchise. Bryant was great for this team and most fans would name him as one of the greatest Lakers, if not the greatest.
However, Kobe didn’t see himself as one of the greatest Lakers of all time. Back in 2009, when he just won his 4th NBA championship against the Orlando Magic, Bryant was asked to name his Lakers All-Time starting lineup and the player excluded himself from the iconic starting five. Neil Everett from ESPN sat down with the champion and asked him the big question (3:55 minute).
“Magic, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Kareem, and Wilt,” Kobe replied.
He went with five excellent players, although he didn’t name himself on this lineup. All these players lived great moments with the Lakers that will be hard to forget. Kobe would win another championship the next year, finishing his career with five. Nobody asked him the same question a year later and it’s unclear what he would have responded to that.
Well, if you ask fans, Kobe is right up there as one of the greatest Lakers of all time. Some would even say he’s the greatest player to ever wear the purple and gold. Unfortunately, he’s not around anymore to reveal his All-Time starting lineup right now.
