Let the debate begin. Where does Kobe now stand in terms of greatness? As far as I’m concerned determining NBA greatness starts and stops with a player’s championship resume. It has been over a decade since Michael Jordan retired from the Bulls, but his remains unparalleled:
Michael J. Jordan
- NBA Championships: 6
- Championship Series Record: 6-0
- Finals MVPs: 6
- Role on Championship Teams: Superman
Jordan’s resume remains so unapproachable that the media has to force ludicrous comparisons on us just to strike up debate. Jordan is the gold standard. For an NBA player to reach iconic levels he needs to a) win championships without losing in the Finals, b) capture Finals MVPs, and c) always serve the role as Superman on those championship teams, not Superman’s sidekick.
With that basic framework in mind, who is the greatest player of the Post Jordan Era? Let’s take a look at contender resumes.
Lebron James
- NBA Championships: 0
- Championship Series Record: 0-1
- Finals MVPs: 0
- Role on Finals Team: Superman
Lebron’s skills will always put him in the “most talented player” conversation, but he isn’t anywhere near greatest player of an era. Yet. And based on the Jordan Standard he’s already disqualified himself from the conversation of greatest player of all time. Some people might think this analysis is unfair, but we’re talking about the greatest player in the history of the NBA. Losing in the NBA Finals is not an option if you want to surpass Jordan. I don’t care if a seven foot Lithuanian dude with a receding hairline is your primary sidekick.
Dwayne Wade
- NBA Championships: 1
- Championship Series Record: 1-0
- Finals MVPs: 1
- Role on Championship Team: Superman
Dwayne Wade is the only current player with a conceivable chance of catching Jordan. Will it happen? No. But Wade is still young and if the Heat score him a solid sidekick who can compliment his skills Wade has proven he can carry a team through the playoffs. The problem is Wade won’t even enter the the conversation of the greatest player of his era until he wins another championship.
There are truly only 3 resumes that warrant greatest player of this era conversation.
#3 Kobe Bryant
- NBA Championships: 4
- Championship Series Record: 4-2
- Finals MVPs: 1
- Role on Championship Teams: Superman (1), Sidekick (3)
#2 Shaquille O’Neal
- NBA Championships: 4
- Championship Series Record: 4-2
- Finals MVPs: 3
- Role on Championship Teams: Superman (3), Sidekick (1)
Kobe still needs to win one more championship to pass Shaq on this list. That would give Kobe one more ring, multiple championships as Superman, and most likely multiple Finals MVP awards. What would truly be great would be if Shaq does get traded to the Cavs this offseason and Shaq and Kobe meet in the Finals next year for the ultimate showdown. Keep your fingers crossed.
And…
#1 Tim Duncan
- NBA Championships: 4
- Championship Series Record: 4-0
- Finals MVPs: 3
- Role on Championship Teams: Superman
Duncan has made an impressive run at Jordan’s legendary resume but isn’t going to quite get there. Duncan’s now past his prime; if he wins another championship it wouldn’t almost have to be in the sidekick role. His legacy is so far out in front of Kobe’s though it would be hard for Kobe to surpass him. As much as Kobe hates to think about it, so much of Kobe’s legacy is cemented as Shaq’s sidekick, but more importantly, Kobe lost his first finals in the Superman role. Duncan, like Jordan, didn’t have that problem.
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