Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was named the best player in the NBA, ahead of Heat forward LeBron James, in Sporting News’ annual survey of current and former players, coaches, general managers and broadcasters.
SN asked 76 NBA types, including Elgin Baylor, Bob Cousy, Mike D’Antoni, Mike Fratello, Daryl Morey, Lenny Wilkens, Doc Rivers and Stan Van Gundy, to list the top 50 players in the league. Bryant received 49 of their first-place votes to maintain his spot atop the list, while James had 22 first-place votes and Magic center Dwight Howard received one.
Bryant and James each had a teammate join them in the top 10, with Heat guard Dwyane Wade at No. 3 and Lakers big man Pau Gasol at No. 10.
It’s clear to most league observers that Bryant and James should occupy the top two spots in any list of the NBA’s best. With Bryant topping our list, we asked those in the know why Kobe’s experience still edges LeBron’s raw talent:
Phil Jackson, Lakers coach: “One of the things that Kobe has always had is the ability to trust his shot, and LeBron, at some points, hasn’t always done that. That makes him more of a driver at times, which at the end of the game can be very difficult. Kobe has been very good at the end of games. ... Kobe rises to big games. His performance always seems to accelerate during the playoffs.”
Ron Artest, Lakers forward: “This game is about team, rather than about individuals. When it comes to Kobe, he has a lot of heart and a lot of game-winners. He loves the moment and is really just a great all-around player. I am glad he is on our team.”
Tim Grover, Bryant’s trainer: “Kobe is as hard of a worker as I have worked with. He has always taken great care of his body, but he is never satisfied. He is always looking for ways to get an edge, and that shows up in the playoffs. He has had a lot of wear and tear. For him, the idea was to make the first game of the playoffs feel like Game 1 and not Game 83.”
Rick Barry, Hall of Famer: “It’s all about winning in professional sports, and no one in the game has done that the way Kobe has. I don’t doubt for a second that winning is the most important thing to LeBron, and that’s why he went to Miami even though he will have to sacrifice individually. But he is still trying to figure it out. Kobe has already been there -- and he has a great supporting cast, too. But he is also just not going to let them lose if he can help it.”
Western Conference scout: “Every year, we look for ways that he has lost a step and you look for ways that younger guys like LeBron or Kevin Durant have caught up to him -- and maybe in the middle of January, you can find some of those. But Kobe is always going to make a smart play, he is always going to find a way to get a good shot, no matter what stage of the game or how deep in the playoffs, and I don’t think the younger guys in the league are there yet.”
