The GOAT debate just got spicier, with former NBA player Chandler Parsons dropping a hot take that’s sure to ruffle some feathers among basketball fans.
Parsons stirred things up on FanDuel TV by suggesting Kobe Bryant doesn’t belong in the top three players of all time – a list typically dominated by Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
“I love Kobe, God rest his soul, but he’s not top three in most people’s eyes,” Parsons said. “I don’t even understand how this is an argument between him and LeBron.”
Even more surprisingly, Parsons thinks Kevin Durant deserves to be ranked higher than the Lakers legend.
When co-host Lou Williams heard this take, he quickly jumped to Kobe’s defense with an emphatic “Absolutely” when asked if Bryant belonged in the top three.
The numbers tell quite a story. Kobe’s resume is pretty incredible:
โข 5 NBA championships
โข 1 MVP award
โข 2-time scoring champion
โข 18 All-Star selections
โข 33,643 career points (4th all-time)
He’s also the only player in NBA history to have two jersey numbers retired by the same team – a testament to his legendary status with the Lakers.
Durant’s achievements are impressive too. Over his 16-year career, KD has racked up:
โข 2 NBA titles
โข 1 MVP award
โข 4 scoring titles
โข 14 All-Star appearances
This season, Durant’s still going strong at Phoenix, putting up 27.1 points per game while shooting an efficient 51.9% from the field.
But comparing players from different eras isn’t easy. Parsons thinks Shaquille O’Neal might actually deserve that third spot behind Jordan and LeBron, though he admits “a lot of guys would go even older than him.”
It’s a debate that’ll probably never end – and that’s what makes basketball so much fun to follow.
