Our #7 Athlete of the Decade is sure to cause a stir. Some might think he belongs wayyy higher on the list, some might think he should be disqualified completely. Some think he's vastly overrated, some think he's the greatest of all time. Whatever the case may be, Kobe Bryant always brings up a variety of opinions.
Resume:
-4 Time NBA Champion (2000-2002, 2009)
-2008 NBA MVP
-2009 Finals MVP
-11 Time All-Star
-7 Time 1st Team All-NBA
-3 Time All-Star Game MVP
-2008 Olympic Gold Medalist
The Facts:
-His 81 Points vs Toronto (1/22/06) are 2nd most all time for a single game.
-12 3 pointers tied for most in a single game (1/7/03).
-Most points in Madison Square Garden single game (61 pts 2/2/09)
-Youngest player to start an ASG and NBA game
-Scored 60 or more points 5 times
Why He's Here:
-Come on, obviously Kobe Bryant belongs on this list. He's been the face of the post-Jordan NBA, he's won 4 titles for the Lakers, he is a global superstar and icon. Kobe's vaulted himself into the rare echelon of the greatest NBA players of all-time. Not since Jordan has a player been able to take over a game and show that rare clutch ability. When Kobe gets that look in his eye (ridiculous teethy glare above aside), you know that something is going down. There isn't a sight in sports like Kobe going nuts. Remember when Jordan's Wizards visited Staples? He scored 55! How about his 61 at MSG? Or his 81 point effort! What about the countless clutch and game winning shots in the playoffs. In this decade, only Kobe has the ability to add that extra aura to a game. MVPs, All-Star Games, titles, Kobe has done it all. Check out all 81 of his points in his historic performance against the Raptors.
Lasting Impact:
-So, with all of these accomplishments... why isn't Kobe higher? His lasting impact tells the story of why Kobe Bryant is only #7 on our Athletes of the Decade countdown. His legacy isn't exactly pristine when compared to some of the others on our list. The giant elephant in the room when looking at Kobe's impact is his Colorado rape trial.
Was he convicted? No. But is the lasting stain on Kobe's legacy permanent? Yes. In our society, when a man of Kobe Bryant's stature is accused of rape and goes through a trial in front of a huge media circus and admits to adultery at a dramatic press conference... it's not exactly going away. Yes, charges were eventually dropped, and he has done work since then to repair his public image. But, there will always be that question mark by Kobe's name. Right or wrong, that's the truth.
In addition, he's not exactly known as a great teammate. Kobe was the one that broke up the early 2000s Lakers. Kobe shoved Shaq and Phil out of town. Kobe was the one who was the ballhog. Kobe got booed at the All-Star Game in his hometown. Kobe was the one who went on a media tour ridiculously demanding a trade. Kobe was the one who had Spike Lee make a documentary about him which was a flop. Over time, these things add up.
So is Kobe Bryant one of the greatest athletes of this or any decade? Yes. But will Kobe be remembered more for his amazing on-court ability or for the courtroom allegations and the petulance he showed off-court? Will we remember him as the man who won championships and made clutch shots for the Redeem Team, or the man who blew up a dynasty, foolishly demanded a trade, and was involved in one of the biggest scandals of the decade. You'll have to be the judge of that.
Check back with RSS as we'll be continuing our Athletes of the Decade Countdown. Let's just say our #6 Athlete is best known for our #7 Athlete's number 8. Hmmm.
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