Kobe's Great, but Not The Greatest

By Douglas V. Gibbs

Thursday night the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the NBA Championship. The game was low scoring, close, and according to Shaquille O'Neal, what Kobe Bryant needed to become the greatest Laker ever.

Is Kobe better than Elgin Baylor and Jerry West?

Probably.

Is Kobe better than Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?

Maybe.

Greater than Irvin "Magic" Johnson?

Not by a long shot.

Magic Johnson is the greatest player not named Michael Jordon ever to play in the NBA. Three MVPs, a bunch of championship rings, and great numbers in every category (can you say Triple-Double?), the numbers are indisputable. But what truly sets Magic apart from Kobe is the intangibles.

Johnson was a leader on and off the court in ways that Kobe Bryant will probably never be. Magic inspired people to be better on and off the court. Players on his team played better simply because of the presence of Magic. Fans and players around the league liked him, and recognized his qualities as a player, and a person.

Magic served as a reminder of what is cherished most about sports in America: Team, intensity in competition, fair play, love of the game, respect for others, pure talent, setting the tone and placing the bar high, and players capable of teaching, playing, inspiring, and garnering the affection of those around him all at the same time.

Oh, and Magic could do some magical things with the basketball that just left you in awe.

I don't believe Kobe Bryant is capable of experiencing the intangibles. This is not to say that Kobe isn't a great player. He is talented, and has great numbers. Kobe will go down as one of the all-time NBA Greats. Kobe is truly great, just not the greatest.

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