Ranking 24 worst Lakers starters of the Kobe Bryant era

22. Smush Parker

There may be no teammate that Bryant hated more than Parker. The 6’4 guard went undrafted in 2002 after one year at Fordham. He was a backup point guard for the Cavaliers during his rookie season before going overseas. Parker returned for just 16 games in the 2004-05 season, but that was enough to earn him a deal with the Lakers in the offseason.

Despite never playing more than 17 minutes per game in the NBA, the Lakers made him their starter in the backcourt next to Bryant. He stuck for two years where he averaged 11.3 points, 3.2 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 31.9 minutes per game. The Lakers made the playoffs twice but were bounced in the first round both times.

Kobe and Parker did not get along, and Bryant called him “the worst” years after Parker left the Lakers. He had this to say about nearing being named Most Valuable Player in 2006.

"“I almost won an MVP with Smush Parker and Kwame Brown on my team. I was shooting 45 times a game. What was I supposed to do? Pass it to Chris Mihm or Kwame Brown.”"

Smush Parker signed with the Heat in 2007, but only played one more year in the NBA. He finished his career with a decade overseas. Parker was never more than a reserve, except for his two years in LA. He produced well enough, but Kobe’s hatred earned him a spot among the worst starters of this era.