Bleacher Report has released its updated list of the Top 100 NBA Players of All Time, and while the usual suspects like Michael Jordan and LeBron James hold the top two spots, the most polarizing debate has emerged just outside the top 10.
Kobe Bryant, the five-time champion and Lakers icon, has been ranked 11th, one spot behind Stephen Curry, who now officially holds a place in the top 10. The ranking has already ignited fierce debates across the basketball world, with fans and analysts divided over whether the Black Mamba was disrespected or whether Curry has rightfully leapfrogged him.
20. Julius Erving
19. David Robinson
18. Dirk Nowitzki
17. Nikola Jokic
16. Kevin Garnett
15. Jerry West
14. Oscar Robertson
13. Kevin Durant
12. Hakeem Olajuwon
11. Kobe Bryant
10. Stephen Curry
9. Wilt Chamberlain
8. Larry Bird
7. Tim Duncan
6. Shaquille O’Neal
5. Bill Russell
4. Magic Johnson
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
2. LeBron James
1. Michael Jordan
Kobe’s resume is nearly unmatched: 5 NBA championships, 18 All-Star appearances, 2 Finals MVPs, 33,643 career points, and countless iconic moments etched into league history.
He is considered by many to be the closest thing to Michael Jordan the league has seen, both in mentality and style. Yet Bleacher Report placed Hakeem Olajuwon (12), Kevin Durant (13), and even Oscar Robertson (14) behind him, while Curry surged ahead.
Stephen Curry, now ranked 10th, has continued to reshape the legacy conversation. With four NBA titles, two regular-season MVPs (including the only unanimous MVP in history), and a Finals MVP in 2022, Curry’s impact on the game is undeniable.
He has transformed the NBA through his three-point revolution, ushering in a style of play that’s changed how the game is taught and played at every level. For Bleacher Report, that influence, paired with sustained excellence, was enough to place him ahead of Kobe.
Rounding out the top 10 were names most fans expect: Wilt Chamberlain (9), Larry Bird (8), Tim Duncan (7), Shaquille O’Neal (6), Bill Russell (5), Magic Johnson (4), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (3), LeBron James (2), and Michael Jordan (1).
Jordan remaining at the top is no surprise, while LeBron’s continued case as the greatest all-around player ever keeps him firmly at No. 2. The real discussion lies in how Curry and Kobe are viewed in contrast.
Perhaps the most fascinating subplot is Nikola Jokic, who came in at 17th. After winning three MVPs and leading the Denver Nuggets to their first-ever NBA championship in 2023, Jokic’s placement inside the top 20 shows how rapidly his career has accelerated. In just nine seasons, he’s vaulted over names like Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, and Scottie Pippen.
Still, Kobe being outside the top 10 is bound to spark emotional responses. His influence on the next generation from Jayson Tatum to Devin Booker, his iconic clutch performances, and his relentless work ethic have made him more than just a stat-sheet superstar. To many, he’s a top-five player, and anything less is seen as disrespect.
But to Bleacher Report, Stephen Curry has earned that slight edge, not just with championships, but with innovation and influence. And in the ever-evolving conversation about greatness, that edge was enough to push Kobe just outside the inner circle, for now.
