Nick Wright Says Kobe Bryant Was Never NBA's Best Player, Ranking Him 8th All-Time
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 14
Nick Wright Says Kobe Bryant Was Never NBA's Best Player, Ranking Him 8th All-Time
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 14
FS1 analyst Nick Wright said Kobe Bryant was "never the best player in the world," placing the late Lakers star eighth on his all-time list.
On "The Herd" and his own show, Wright argued Shaquille O'Neal led from 1999-2002, Tim Duncan from 2003-2007, LeBron James from 2007-2018, and Giannis Antetokounmpo after that.
The claim landed in the middle of renewed GOAT arguments around LeBron James, whose role with Team USA at the 2024 Olympics and uncertain NBA future have kept the debate active.
Wright's timeline effectively excludes Bryant's peak years despite Kobe's 81-point game, 2005 and 2006 scoring titles, and 2008 MVP—fueling fresh backlash from fans and commentators.
How has the modern focus on analytics altered our memory of who was considered the 'best player' in past NBA eras?
Beyond titles, what metrics prove Tim Duncan truly eclipsed Kobe Bryant's individual dominance during the mid-2000s?
Are 'best player' timelines genuine analysis or media narratives designed to fuel debate and elevate certain legacies?