Earlier today, ESPN released the 91-100 ranked players in their Top 400 player NBAranks countdown.
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Not surprisingly, 37 year old Kobe Bryant, who was ranked 54th overall by Sports Illustrated in August, was in the lower echelon of the rankings.
Though coming in at 93rd overall, one spot above Trevor Ariza and one below Luol Deng, is the issue for most fans, the “Insider Profile” explaining the ranking should also be noted.
"Insider profile: At this stage, he has turned into a parody of himself, with seemingly every field goal attempt coming “against all odds” as Bryant dominates the ball during possessions and often shoots long jumpers against double coverage"
Bryant has only played two preseason games this year, which were likely the source of this analysis.
While Bryant has been injury prone over the course of the past three seasons, it is interesting to see the press’ portrayal of him as his career winds down.
By no means has “The Black Mamba” ever been the most likable NBA star but it’s readily apparent that writers criticizing him at his lowest probably weren’t the same ones handing out praise when he was at his best.
With that in mind, this subtle jab was no where near the thrashing Sports Illustrated gave him in their ranking where Bryant’s, “short temper and blinding self-reliance” were brought to the forefront.
• 19 seasons.
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 7, 2015
• 17 All-Star selections.
• 32,482 points.
• 5 rings.@kobebryant is 93rd in our #NBArank. pic.twitter.com/wieeV0pJeN
Interestingly enough, much like the Lakers organization in general, the reasons Bryant is hated are more often than not the same reasons he is loved.
Critics will see Bryant’s temper and self-reliance as a “handicap.” Fans, on the other hand, would argue that Bryant is one of the players who actually plays better angry, or that his self-reliance is what helped him win multiple championships.
Regardless, Bryant’s ranking is something that will be debated heavily over the course of the next few days.
Let us know what you think about Bryant’s ranking and the “Insider Profile” explanation in the comments below.