SLC loves Kobe…well, some of it
USA Today has an article this morning by Reid Cherner that addresses the question: Is Kobe Bryant the greatest Laker of all time?
Wow. Mmmm. Let’s see. Wilt. Kareem. Shaq. Magic. Worthy. West. Mailman.
OK, just joking about the Mailman, seeing how he spent all of one season there.Still, it’s a big question. If you’re listing the greatest Laker of all time, you might also be talking about the greatest player, period. At least among those not named Michael.
KOBE BRYANT
I, of course, want to call Elgin Baylor the greatest, just because he was my favorite player growing up. But that’s the childhood talking, not reality.
ELGIN BAYLOR
What I do know is Bryant’s popularity is amazing, considering the negative press he received. There was that ugly incident in Colorado a few years ago, then the divorce, which the tabloids say was prompted by Bryant’s infidelity.
Yet take a look around. A fellow journalist last Saturday said to me that he wondered if Salt Lake has more fans wearing Kobe jerseys than any city in the league. He could be right. When Bryant was introduced, there were more boos, but a large number of cheers, as well.
But EnergySolutions Arena is also where Bryant says he takes particular pleasure in winning. He considers it a nasty, loud, disrespectful crowd and he loves to have big games here.
Anyway, where do you rate Bryant on the list of great Lakers? Why?