Kenny Smith has made a statement that will surely bring a lot of debates. The former player-turned-analyst recently talk about his all-time list, placing some names at questionable spots, to say the list. Speaking with Complex Sports in their Load Management podcast, the Jet talked about his All-Time top 10, surprising everybody with his choices.
For starters, he placed the Los Angeles Lakers star, LeBron James, at the 10th place, which is something already crazy for many. If that wasn’t enough, the 2x NBA champion claimed Kobe Bryant wasn’t part of his top 10. He didn’t say the specific place where he’ll put Bryant, but not definitely in the top 10.
“LeBron James is in my top 10, but he’s 10, possibly,” Smith said. “Shaq’s in my top 10. Kobe’s not in my top 10. Magic, Larry Bird (…) It’s so much easier to score now that it makes it hard to judge a guy’s ability.”
"LeBron is in my top 10 (of all-time) BUT he's No. 10… Kobe is not in my top 10." @TheJetOnTNT isn't putting LeBron or Kobe anywhere near the top of the all-time list.
Episode: https://t.co/gq3yj65s1U pic.twitter.com/GIHmXIakni
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) July 7, 2020
Well, he was part of an era where defenses were tougher and trying to score was a real task unless your name was Michael Jordan, Larry Bird or one of the greatest players of the 80s and 90s. Things have changed a lot now and it’s normal to see former players comparing eras, saying it would be easier for old players to score and win in today’s NBA.
Still, it’s odd to see LeBron James and Kobe Bryant out of an All-Time top 5, but not for me. He’s old school, he knows how difficult it was to score and be dominant during the 80s and 90s and that’s why he’s putting Bron at that position and leaving Kobe out of the top 10.
