Here's why Kobe Bryant is the greatest Laker ever
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Kobe Bryant is the best Laker ever
When Kobe Bryant was traded to the Lakers in a draft-day swap, nobody thought an athletic guard out of high school could turn into the greatest player in franchise history.
Now, 20 years and five titles later, here's why Kobe Bryant is the greatest player to wear purple and gold.
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"He has been the greatest Laker player"
Former stars have endorsed Kobe Bryant as the greatest Lakers player ever. Jerry West, who made the trade for Bryant, has called him the best player to don purple and gold. West said, "I don't think there's any question in my mind ... that he has been the greatest Laker player."
Shaquille O'Neal and Magic Johnson have both endorsed Kobe as the best Laker ever.
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He's a five-time NBA champion
Kobe Bryant always idolized Jordan, with his six championship rings. Bryant almost reached MJ's total in his career. Bryant has won five NBA Championships, tying Abdul-Jabbar and Johnson for the most in Lakers franchise history.
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And he did it with less talent around him
Throughout his career, Kobe Bryant played alongside exactly one transcendent player in his prime: Shaquille O'Neal. The duo won three championships together to build the best dynasty the NBA has seen since the Bulls.
While many said Kobe couldn't win without Shaq, Bryant proved his doubters wrong. He won two more titles with Pau Gasol as the team's second-best player.
Of the other Lakers to win five titles, Johnson and Abdul-Jabbar played with much better talent.
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He has scored more points than Michael Jordan
Kobe Bryant will presumably end his career one championship shy of Michael Jordan's six. But Bryant was able to surpass MJ in scoring. In 2014, Bryant became the third all-time leading scorer in NBA history, passing Michael Jordan. Bryant trails only Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone.
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81 points -- second most in NBA history
In his most memorable game ever, Kobe Bryant scored a ridiculous 81 points against the Raptors in 2006. The 81 points are the second-most points ever scored in an NBA game behind Wilt Chamberlain's 100 in 1962.
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He outscored the Mavericks through three quarters
Many will remember Kobe Bryant's 81-point game against the Raptors, but what about when he alone outscored the Mavericks 62-61 through three quarters? In one of the most impressive feats in NBA history, Kobe didn't even have to play the fourth quarter.
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The three-peat
Unlike the greats such as Johnson, West and Kareem, Kobe Bryant was a member of three consecutive NBA championship squads. Deemed the three-peat, Kobe and the Lakers made their mark in history with titles from 2000-2002.
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He was unstoppable in the 2001 NBA Playoffs
The 2000-2001 Lakers are arguably one of the best teams in NBA history. Led by Kobe and Shaq, the Lakers ran roughshod through the playoffs with a 15-1 record en route to a title.
The Lakers swept the Blazers, Kings and Spurs, and dropped only one game to the 76ers in the NBA Finals. It's one of the most impressive playoff performances in sports history.
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Kobe lifted the Lakers
Following the departure of Shaq, Kobe Bryant had to raise his game to get the Lakers back into the title hunt. From 2007-2010, Bryant put together a stellar stretch of basketball. He won his lone MVP award and led the Lakers to two more NBA Championships, where he was named Finals MVP in both series.
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Kobe is the second-best shooting guard ever
Kobe Bryant has admitted his affection for the game's greatest player, Michael Jordan. And Kobe has spent his career chasing that legacy. The two played the same position, and Kobe has long tried to match MJ's accomplishments. It's widely regarded that Bryant is the second-greatest shooting guard of all time.
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He holds practically all the Lakers records
In his two-decade career, Kobe Bryant has rewritten the franchise record book. Bryant has scored the most points, taken the most shots, played the most games and minutes in Lakers history, among many other feats.
Bryant's Lakers records might never be broken.
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He has the clutch gene
When a game is down to its final seconds, everyone knows Kobe Bryant wants the final shot. Bryant is known for taking and making those buzzer-beaters. Bryant has made 36 game-winning shots in his career.
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The All-Star Game is his second home
Kobe Bryant leads all active players with 17 NBA All-Star Game appearances in his career. Bryant's 17 selections as a Laker are the most in franchise history.
The Black Mamba is just one of two players to win the ASG MVP award a record four times.
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20 years, one franchise.
Some of the greatest players in NBA history have suited up for the Lakers, but none have had the span of success like Kobe Bryant. Despite not being drafted by the Lakers, Bryant has played all 20 seasons of his illustrious career in purple and gold.
By comparison, Magic Johnson played 13 seasons, while Abdul-Jabbar and West played 14 years with the Lakers.
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His game evolved
Kobe Bryant has always been known for being a student of the game. Once Bryant started to grow long in the tooth, he took another page out of Jordan's book. Bryant was able to transform his high-flying athletic talent into a technically sound, post-up game that extended his career.
Bryant has proven that you can teach an old dog new tricks.
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He's very defensive
While Magic Johnson, Jerry West and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar rightfully get credit for their offensive prowess, Kobe Bryant happens to be the best defender of the bunch. He's been named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team nine times, and the second team three times.
Bryant's defense of multiple positions gives him a clear advantage over other Laker greats.
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He excels at multiple positions
Kobe Bryant is one of the all-time shooting guards in NBA history, but that wasn't the only position where he excels. In his years with the Lakers, Kobe has been asked to be the team's primary facilitator at point guard, along with playing the small and power forward positions.
Of the Lakers greats, only Magic Johnson had more positional flexibility with his ability to play all five positions on the court.
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He has a legendary work ethic
Kobe Bryant was able to hold onto his greatness longer than most athletes because of his unstoppable work ethic. Bryant's been known to start his workouts before the sun rises. According to Shaq, Bryant would practice basketball without the ball!
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Who's your favorite Laker ever?
We've made our argument for Kobe Bryant, but what do you think?
Is Kobe the greatest to wear purple and gold? What about Magic? Kareem? West? Shaq?
Let us know in the comments.
(Photo: USATSI)
Credit: Richard Mackson, Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
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