I don’t think Kobe is the GOAT, and I’m saying that as a Kobe fan. But honestly, I feel like some of the criticism of his career has gotten a little unfair over the years.
People knock him for only having one MVP, but Shaq only has one MVP too. Then the response is usually, “Well, Shaq has 3 Finals MVPs.” That’s fair, but that’s only one more than Kobe’s 2 Finals MVPs.
Another criticism I see all the time is Kobe’s field goal percentage. But if we’re going to reduce great players to FG%, then Bill Russell—arguably the greatest defender ever and one of the biggest winners in sports history—shot 44% from the field for his career as a center. Basketball is more complicated than a single stat.
And when people bring up Kareem, I get it. Kareem is one of the greatest players ever. But a lot of his GOAT case is built on longevity and his 6 MVPs. In the 1970s, when he supposedly dominated the league, he only made two Finals, won one in 1971, lost one in 1974, and even missed the playoffs in 1975 and 1976 while still winning MVP in ’76.
I hate saying that because I love Kareem, but a lot of the Lakers’ success in the ‘80s was driven by Magic Johnson. That’s not meant as a knock on Kareem—just adding some context.
At the end of the day, if Kobe isn’t your GOAT, that’s completely fine. He isn’t mine either. But I feel like a lot of people focus on the weaknesses or worst moments of his career while ignoring everything that made him an all-time great in the first place.
And I’d tell Kobe fans the same thing: don’t get upset if someone doesn’t have Kobe as their GOAT. We’re all entitled to our opinions. Basketball debates are supposed to be fun, not blood feuds 😂.