Magic Johnson: ‘Kobe Bryant belongs in the GOAT conversation’

Magic Johnson believes much of the debate centers around Michael Jordan and LeBron James, but even now, Kobe belongs in that conversation. Bryant’s impact on basketball was profound, both on and off the court, and his legacy resonates worldwide still. “Offensively, Kobe stands out as one of the greatest. At the shooting guard position, or even as a small forward, he ranks just behind Michael Jordan,” Johnson said. “Regarding scoring, Kobe was virtually unstoppable, much like [Michael] Jordan. His skill set, determination, and ability to perform under pressure made him one of the most clutch players in NBA history. Kobe would be a top choice alongside Jordan if you needed one player to take the final shot with the game on the line. Both had the uncanny ability to either sink the shot, draw the foul, and calmly knock down the free throws to seal the victory. We witnessed Kobe do this countless times.” -via Nitecast Media / August 22, 2024