Without a doubt, one of the greatest talents the NBA has ever seen; Kobe Bryant may be the most overrated player of all time. However, this will come with so many negative reactions because Kobe undoubtedly has the largest group of fans the world has ever seen. We can find that quickly, as we constantly hear from crazed fans who think he will return next season and be one of the top 15 players in the league. And this is something well deserved. But this is not where overpricing comes in; It started a long time ago, when Kobe was still on the mend.

Kobe was traded to the Lakers in his rookie year, immediately putting him even more in the limelight with a well-known knowledge that his father was Jelly Bean Bryant and that he entered the league as a standout player from the school. high school. Once Shaq arrived, deny if you will, it was the pinnacle of whatever championship team was about to be built. With Shaq’s overwhelming dominance, Phil’s championship experience, and a well-adjusted accompanying cast, the team was perfectly poised to accomplish anything they wanted. Kobe was a huge asset to have; Electrifying, high-flying, lightning fast, smooth shooting, and uneven determination at his craft. So three rings after and Shaq’s departure, the Lakers had to keep a face, a money machine. Kobe was made to be the center of attention, remember. This is where Kobe’s ego and brand started to explode.

Kobe would continue to put out an incredible scoring performance, particularly 81 points against the Raptors, win two more rings, and capture an MVP trophy. However, Kobe completes his career with a single MVP title, so it’s hard to argue that he ever dominated the league as the best and that’s where the overpricing comes in; the notion that Kobe is arguably the best. Others who can reasonably argue for the title have more than one MVP trophy. Not to mention, there’s a long list of guards that you could hypothetically put on those top Lakers teams and they still would have won and maybe they won more because they wouldn’t have to deal with the Diva. In the second race in a row it can be argued that the team was more the reason for the championships more than the Black Mamba. Gasol was unstoppable and provided the perfect match for Bynum’s strength. If to that we add two 6’9 forwards who can open the court in Ariza and Odom with all three, you will have difficult problems long before reaching Kobe. Regardless, Kobe’s longevity of staying relevant and winning subsequent championships with Gasol places Kobe in a different stratosphere. But this mock comparison of him to Jordan holds up egregiously.

Even with six titles, it won’t mean a thing compared to the way Jordan got his. Also, the fact that no one wants to play with Kobe because he is difficult to train and play side by side on and off the court has counted against the sixth ring more than injury. He’s arguably one of the top ten talents of all time, but chill at the best.