Magic Johnson on where fellow Lakers legend Kobe Bryant places in GOAT discussion

Few athletes have connected with fans on as visceral a level during the 21st century as Kobe Bryant. The Los Angeles Lakers legend played with a combination of skill, flair, and competitive spirit that inspired generations to come.

In a recent interview, fellow Lakers legend Magic Johnson discussed Bryant's legacy and how he places in the conversation about the greatest of all time.

Bryant played 20 seasons in the NBA, all of which were in Los Angeles. During that time, he became one of the most decorated players in the history of the Association, producing iconic moments and capturing championships along the way.

In an interview with NH Experience TV, Johnson discussed Bryant's legacy and expressed his belief that he should be in conversations about the greatest of all time.

"Yeah, because we know Kobe belongs in that conversation even today. Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar], Kobe and they all wore the purple and gold. So I think about what Kobe meant to the game of basketball worldwide. To me, offensively he’s the second-best dude in terms of at that 2-guard position, small forward behind Michael Jordan. When you think about scoring-wise nobody could stop Kobe just like nobody could stop Michael Jordan.

Johnson continued:

"And when the game was on the line, if I've gotta have one guy with that rock, I'm going to choose between them two dudes. Michael Jordan or Kobe. Because I know both of them are going to hit the shot or get fouled and hit them free throws to win the game."

Bryant can be a divisive figure in the basketball community due to his willingness to take difficult shots that may negatively impact his field goal percentage, but Johnson makes compelling points.

Magic Johnson believes Kobe Bryant should be mentioned in GOAT discussions

Bryant finished his career with five championships and two Finals MVP awards on his résumé. Only five players have won the Finals MVP award more times than Bryant: Michael Jordan with six, LeBron James with four, and the trio of Duncan, Johnson, and Shaquille O'Neal with three.

The award was first introduced in 1969, but a 55-year sample size provides insight into the type of brilliance that Bryant provided across a historical field.

Furthermore, Bryant was the co-star alongside O'Neal during the most recent three-peat in NBA history. He then helped the Lakers make three consecutive NBA Finals appearances between 2007-08 and 2009-10, winning titles during the final two campaigns.

In addition to ranking among the winningest players in NBA history, Bryant earned 15 All-NBA selections, 12 All-Defense nods, and 18 All-Star Game appearances.

Throw in two scoring titles, two Olympic gold medals, and 33,643 career points scored, and Bryant is a legend of the highest order. He's also one of 10 players in NBA history to appear in at least 200 playoff games, and ranks fourth all-time in points.

It's a combination of facts that makes it difficult to justify Bryant being excluded from any kind of conversation about the greatest players ever.

Beyond the accolades and the numbers, Bryant was one of the rare players who could both lock an opposing scorer down and put points on the board at virtual will. He was an elite on-ball defender who could stifle even the best of playmakers, as well as a three-level scorer with an impeccable skill set.

Whether or not you believe Bryant is the greatest of all time, what's undeniable is that he ranks among the best to ever grace an NBA floor.