The Los Angeles Lakers have been home to more of the best players in basketball history than any other NBA franchise, but even amidst all that greatness there exists meaningful controversy.
Bleacher Report on Monday, July 14, reminded the world that it is, in fact, summertime and most of the biggest draws in American sports are either ahead of us, or behind, on the calendar. The outlet did so by releasing its ranking of the top 100 NBA players of all time — a fun discussion to have, though one that breaking news involving the relevant players and events of the day often trumps.
But the NBA staff at B/R ruffled some feathers regardless, most notably with its placement of a Lakers legend — the late, great Kobe Bryant — at No. 11 overall. That ranking positioned Bryant just outside of a coveted top-10 spot that many L.A. basketball fans believe is the very least he deserves.
“There’s a case to be made that Kobe is actually the most influential to ever set foot on the NBA’s hardwood,” B/R wrote. “Older heads continue to worship at the altar of his maniacal work ethic. Contemporaries still cite him as a source of stylistic inspiration. From a basketball-reputation perspective, no one’s impact on the game has actively spanned more generations. Kobe’s top-10 status remains one of basketball’s most heated debates here in 2025.”
B/R went on to note that its writer who ranked Bryant the highest afforded the five-time champion the No. 4 spot, while the analyst who rated Bryant the lowest against his peers had the one-time MVP all the way down at No. 18 overall.
Total of 5 Lakers Ranked Ahead of Kobe Bryant in Top 100
GettyKobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bleacher Report’s choice to keep Bryant outside of the top 10 was probably the most controversial of a handful of issues that basketball fans, specifically those who hold Bryant in the highest regard, could take with how the former Lakers guard stacked up against his all-time peers on this particular list.
Lakers players ahead of Bryant included Wilt Chamberlain (No. 9), Bryant’s former teammate Shaquille O’Neal (No. 6), Magic Johnson (No. 4) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (No. 3).
Putting O’Neal sixth, five spots ahead of Bryant, is its own can of worms considering the complicated relationship between the two superstars — who went to four NBA Finals and won three rings together despite their differences.
However, the player B/R ranked No. 2 on its all-time list could have even more L.A. fans up in arms. Coming in second behind only Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls was LeBron James.
LeBron James’ Longevity, Personal Accolades Vaulted Him Ahead of Kobe Bryant on All-Time List
GettyLeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.
James is currently a Laker and has donned the purple and gold for the past seven seasons. He opted into the final year on his contract, which means James will play at least eight years of his 23-year NBA career with the famous franchise — assuming the team doesn’t trade him ahead of the February 2026 deadline.
James has won only one title with the Lakers and four overall, while Bryant captured five rings during his NBA tenure, all of which came in L.A.
However, James is a four-time MVP with better career numbers essentially across the board, both traditional and advanced statistics. His longevity, unmatched in league history, also played a significant role in B/R’s decision to place James second on its list. The website noted that James has put together two Hall-of-Fame-worthy stretches in the span of one career, and he isn’t even done yet.
“The league’s all-time leader in points and minutes, James has made a total of 10 trips to the Finals with three different teams,” B/R wrote. “He’s one of four players with at least four championship rings and four MVP awards (joining Jordan, Russell and Abdul-Jabbar), and James is the only player who can say he came out victorious in the Finals against both the dynastic [San Antonio] Spurs and [Golden State] Warriors teams of the late 2010s. A genius-level passer, a dominating scorer, a flaw-free defender at his apex and the new model for durability in the NBA, James has the sheer volume, elite peak and cultural impact of a GOAT.”
At least one B/R writer ranked James as the top player of all time, while none of those with a vote slotted him in lower than No. 3 overall.
