“Kobe's name NEEDS to be in there.” Shaq and Stephen A debate Kobe GOAT ranking 

Shaq needs to tell Nick Wright stop disrespecting Kobe.

Thank you Shaq. There is no way in hell that Kobe is being left out. I feel ya!!

Thank you, Shaq. Kobe needed to be in the GOAT debate he earned it

Shaq obviously was raised right we need more people like him

Thank u shaq media hate on Kobe too much

Kobe should always be in the conversation. People tend to pick & choose when it comes to Kobe, but not when it comes to Lebron or Kareem. You'll use the fact that Kobe won with Shaq against him but wont use that energy towards Magic or Kareem or DWade & Lebron.

The more I watch LeBron, the more I appreciate Kobe Bean!

Kobe was the closest thing to Jordan

To the people that watched kobe every game night. We know how he was! Kobe is never left out

Shaq is so wise! Miss Kobe! His legacy stands forever! 😢😊❤

I stand with Shaq!

Thank you Shaq!!! You’re perspective as one of the greatest is much appreciated. Kobe should always be in the conversation. Offense, Defense, championships, Killer Instinct, Most clutch, he had it all. May his game continue to inspire players today and may he not be forgotten. 🙏🏾

He didn't expect Shaq to hold him accountable 😂

What Kobe did in that 2008-2010 stretch going 3 straight and getting back to back against that caliber of competition in the West was more than enough to seat him at the GOAT table hands down he was the only guy during that stretch in the deepest pool of talent that was All NBA and All NBA defense 1st team at the same time..put some respect on his name he's in the conversation always have been always will be

Thank you, @Shaq for saying that. Don't leave Kobe out of the conversation 🎉🎉

Its not because Stephen A doesn't have Kobe #2, its because he literally attacked Iverson for saying he is. Nobody asked you Stephen A, you should have just let Iverson have his opinion..

Seeing Shaq's energy fall when talking about Kobe is heartbreaking.

One thing that’s NOT subjective. Kobe is in that conversation whether you like it or not. Feelings have no place in these discussions

“My guy”… after all they went through, I will never get tired of hearing Shaq calling Kobe that. Rip Mamba

"Thats not the point the point is stop leaving him out the conversation" 💯 💪

Kobe Bryant is #3 all time behind MJ & Kareem. After he won his 5th championship, everyone universally had Kobe ranked top 5 all time. Over time and with stats & efficiency debates, he's moved down somehow. It's pretty ridiculous. Even if u have moved LeBron ahead of him (which I have not), how would he go from clearly top 5 to barely top 10. How quickly people forget...

SAS’s number one argument against Kobe is that he had Shaq for 3 rings. But what about the other two? When you look at who LeBron had for all four of his rings, Kobe did not have the same level of help but still managed to win the championship 2 more times. Totaling a 5-2 win/loss record when making it to the finals. Not saying Kobe played with scrubs for the last two runs, but who did he have on a Kyrie, D-Wade, or AD level? LeBron literally has a record of 4-6, and every single championship he had a co-host that is a top 75 player unquestioned. Yet SAS does not penalize him for that🤔? So if that’s your only argument for kicking Kobe out, it makes what McCants said seem that much more real.

I stand with SHAQ wholeheartedly 💯💯💯💯💯

I just wish people looked at the numbers. Kobe and Shaq were scoring virtually the same amount of pts from '01 to '04. Only KD and Steph have similar numbers like that smh.

I love offense and defense. That’s why I got Kobe at 2. 2nd greatest 2 way player.

Shaq had Kobe too, and kobe was mirroring shaqs numbers BEFORE he was in his prime, and Kobe wasnt drafted number 1, he was drafted 13th...the expectations weren't there like every other GOAT

Saying it was “Blasphemous” that Kobe would be #2 was crazy and disrespectful to Kobe like he wasn’t the guy seems like you forgot that glad Mccants spoke up for him all them debates throughout the years must of jogged your brain!

Glad the conversation turning back around bc the players are speaking up!! For a few years the media been playing with Kobe name

The Media always Try to discredit Kobe for playing with Shaq! Yet, Kareem had Magic (Vise Versa) Worthy and Lebron played with Wade, Bosh, Kyrie, Love, Davis etc. Kobe in the 3 Peat: Averaged 20+ Points in each Playoffs! Led Team in scoring 6 Games and taking over when Shaq fouled out in 2000 Finals (Playing injured)! Led Team in Scoring 8 Games out of 16 Games (Had team Playoff High 48 Points) in 2001. Averaged 33/7/7 and 1 Steal vs Spurs in Western Conference Finals (Real NBA Finals). Led Team in scoring 10 games out of 19 Games in 2002. Averaged Over 26/5+/5 and 1 Steal per game vs Spurs (Real NBA Finals) while Tim Duncan and David Robinson were holding Shaq to 21 points per game. Shaq in 2001: "Kobe is the Best player in the league"!

Kobe top 5 no matter what

Appreciate Shaq telling Steven a to stop disrespecting Kobe, all those idiots at espn do. Kobe is top 3, and he isn't 3. Rip goat 🐐

I fought back tears so hard while Shaq was fighting back tears. 🥺🥺😢😢

Stephen A.:"Hey, Shaq, can you help me with these Kobe fans? I didn't put Kobe in the goat debate and now they think I'm a hater." Shaq: "You didn't put Kobe in the goat debate? You ARE a hater." Stephen A.: 😢😢😢

It blows my mind when I see Kobe left out of any goat convo. This man literally from start to finish gave everything he had to the game of basketball and has 5 rings to show for it. If that’s not goat material idk what is.

Kobe top 5 for sure, but Mike is always #1 for me hands DOWN! HE changed the game, and inspired millions globally. I was a teen in the late 80s, unti the early 90s...and I still haven't seen anyone do it better, or inspire more people like he did. Shaq is a great equalizer in conversation.

Shaq is the man!!!

I’ve always said myself, that Kobe is underrated. He won 5, not having to join anyone to do it. And, he’s the closest to MJ there’s ever been and will be. And, let’s be real… he’s right there with MJ!!

Kobe always was in the conversation.

The problem is it feels like a lebron agenda being pushed. And in order for that to be pushed, kobe has to be de valued. Because regardless of position rank, stats, longevity, & size, anyone who really saw both play knows that kobe was really better. And its easy to do that because you had to see him play, not just once game but his whole career to reallyunderstand how good he was. because whatever he may slightly lack to lebron in stats, mvp's & size, kobe was just a beast with a will to win & his heart is at a level that lebron just doesn't have.. & thats okay. But dont slight my boy in the process.

Kobe forever ❤❤❤

Thank you Shaq!!!

Shaq is too real 💯. Shame on you Stephen A.

He was so precise and well crafted, he had a heroic desire for victory and a natural showmanship quality. Among elite guards, Kobe stood out physically and charismatically. He was 6’4.74 with a 6’11 wingspan. Jordan was 6’4.88 with a 6’11 wingspan

Shaq is very respectful of past greats and I agree 100% re Dr J. Dr J was something else, he can't be left out of the GOAT conversation.

Kobe has said many times that that getting a title without Shaq would validate him more. He also knew that afterwards there would still be critics.

Shaq and MJ always being respectful to previous generations 👍

I stand with Shaq also. Great job Shaq!

Kobe is the greatest!!! I love them all but there is not another person like Kobe.

The Kobe had Shaq argument is so played out because we could argue Shaq had Kobe, look at the numbers he was putting up in the playoffs as a 22 year old kid, Kobe would show up in high pressure moments and close games that Shaq couldnt close because of his FT shooting or his foul troubles, Kobe was the ultimate cleaner (closer) during that period if Shaq was superman then Kobe was batman he wasnt a Robin

Shaq until the day he dies will never let anyone disrespect Kobe Bryant. Same with Iverson.

I put it like this. MJ and Kobe are my favorite players. Kobe might not be on someones top 5 ... but he damn sure would drop 50pts on your favorite player. No doubt. So you can talk all the stats and narratives... Kobe would take it to anyone in the top 5 and let the world know he's better than them for that 1 game. Personally I have him 2. I'm a shooting guard guy.

Shaq's matured a lot since his "Sacramento Queens" days..

In the 2000-2001 playoffs Kobe averaged 29.4ppg and had the most 4th quarter points of anyone, same for the 2001-2002 playoffs. And he was 22 years old. In the 03 and 04 playoffs Kobe outscored Shaq by 4-5ppg. Kobe was a sidekick for his first ring, sure. At like age 20. But definitely not a backup option for rings #2 and #3. And the absolute BUMS he took to the finals in 08 were worse than Lebron's squad he got swept with in 07. Meanwhile, Lebron as the league MVP with the best team in the league and home court advantage in 09 and 10 gets waxxed in the ECF, but Kobe goes on to beat those teams for 2 more rings - playing with just one other all-star in Pau Gasol. His 08-10 Finals runs against maybe the most stacked conference in NBA history, doing it with virtually no help...Nobody but Kobe doing that. And then you literally have D-Wade a month or two ago come out and say in an interview that after the '10 Finals he called up Lebron immediately and Kobe was the reason they formed that superteam in Miami. This is after not only getting outplayed by him for years as an opponent but then seeing how amazing he was as a teammate on the 08 Olympic team - a team that got bronze in 04 and lost in 06 FIBA championship, only turning it around AFTER Kobe joined the squad. There's zero doubt Kobe was a better player than Lebron, and it isn't close and never was.

Kobe is definitely in the conversation, hell to me Kobe is the Goat. My favorite player Rip bean.

Kobe top 3 all time easily

Exactly what shaq said. it’s one thing if you don’t think Kobe is the second best. but to act like Kobe is not even in the conversation is disrespectful. Any real hooper that’s played ball they all have Kobe top 3 at the very least. The fact that people was saying Lebron was better than Kobe when he only had 3 rings just shows how much they disrespect Kobe. What pisses me off the most is when people really try to argue that Tim Duncan is better or even on Kobe’s level

KOBE IS THE GOAT,PERIOD.

Objectively: Kobe is the GOAT Kobe Bryant has the NBA record for most points scored by a G in a decade (21,065) in the 2000 decade. This averages out to a ridiculous 2106 points per season for 10 seasons while being All NBA 1st team defense nearly each of these seasons as well, a feat never done before, and will not be done again. His 28.2 Ppg. are the most for the decade, more importantly they were highly efficient at 1.3 points per FGA, about as efficient as a G can get. He also had the most assists and rebounds for a SG over this time. Kobe’s astounding 21,065 points came exactly in midst of the slowest paced, most defensive oriented decade in NBA history by all defensive metrics and parameters. *** This one separates him from MJ His plus minus of +3470 is the best for any Top 75 G over a decade in NBA history. He was undefeated in the WCF averaging 30-6-6 and beat the most 50 win teams in NBA history, all on his route to winning the most rings in the decade. He also had the most playoff points in the decade, as well as the most playoff wins (98), compared to Duncan with 82 for context. *** How did MJ do vs. Bird or Isiah in the playoffs ? Key point : What makes all this nearly inconcievable is Kobe played nearly 4 years of this decade with players like Chris Mihm, Smush Brown, Luke Walton, and Kwame Brown in the STARTING LINEUP and still had the astounding +/- and most playoff wins etc. *** Separates Kobe from MJ Soon as his team got 1 marginal allstar player in Pau Gasol, (an 18 ppg. scorer, below average defender, previously 0-12 in the playoffs), they go to 3 straight Finals through that 10 team deep Western Conference gauntlet inspite of all the attrition, as Kobe becomes the only player in NBA history to have 600+ points, 100+ assists, 100+ rebounds in 3 straight post seasons as well as the only player ever to win back to back Finals MVP’s without a top 75 teammate. *** Separates Kobe from MJ Kobe also won without Shaq, something the great MJ was not able to do without Pippen. The numbers are broad in the regular season and playoffs. *** Key separator between Kobe and Jordan Playoff achievements : Most playoff wins in NBA history (135) (More than MJ) for a top 75 G Most playoff series wins in NBA history (33) (More than MJ) for a top 75 G Most playoff wins as a top 75 G against the toughest playoff opponent faced by any top 75 player in NBA history, with 87% of playoff opponents being 50 win teams. For context Jordan is second with 67%, Lebron is at 50%, Kareem at 43%. Beating the most 50 win teams in the playoffs in NBA history (25) Being the only player in NBA history to score 600+ points and have 100+ rebounds and have 100+ assists in 3 straight postseasons Having the 2 most postseasons with 30 point games with 15 and 14 Only player in NBA history to have back to back 45 point - 10 rebound games in the playoffs 48-16, 45-10 (2001) Being 4-1 in the playoffs averaging 30-6-6 against Tim Duncan & the Spurs dynasty as a starter Having the 2 highest Ppg. averages in Western Conference Finals history for acSG in 2009 and 2010 with 34.0 and 33.7. Highest 4th Q ppg. in NBA playoff history (9.6 in 2003) minimum 10 games Being the only top 75 player to beat 4 - 50 win teams in a single postseason winning a ring, without a top 75 teammate 2155 points scored in the playoffs before age 25 !, Most in NBA history The only player in NBA history to win back to back Finals MVP without a top 75 teammate 23 consecutive points scored in an NBA Finals game (Most in NBA History) against an alltime great defense. Most points scored in NBA history in a 3 year playoff span 1999, being the only player to ever score 600+ points in 3 straight playoff runs Beat more 50 win playoff teams in a 3 year span without a top 75 teammate (10) than Magic did in his whole career ! (Magic who played with Kareem, Worthy, Scott etc.) Kobe was 7-0 in the Western Conference Finals in the 2000’s with the opponents average wins an astounding 57 Kobe had 98 playoff wins in the 2000’s, by far the most for the decade, for context Tim Duncan had 82 Most road 30 point playoff games in a single postseason in NBA history (9) … 2009 Only player in NBA history under 25 to average 25+ ppg. twice in a championship run (2001,2002) Highest +/- over a 3 year playoff span for a player scoring 600+ points in NBA history (+341) inspite of not playing on a superteam or even a top 75 player Highest +/- for a SG in the playoffs in NBA history for a single postseason (+213) yes, higher than his teammate Shaq that season !!! Highest +/- in NBA history for 30 point playoff games (+431) One of 2 guards (along with MJ in NBA history to have 80 or more 30 point playoff games (88), Kobe did it on 20.5 Fg attempts per game, Jordan did it on 25.1 Fg attempts per game. Only player in NBA history under 25 to average 25+ points twice in a playoff championship run (01’02’) Highest 4th quarter Ppg. in NBA history in a playoff run (2003) minimum 10 games (9.6) Won 62% of his FINALS GAMES, (23-14), contrast that to 22-33 for (40%) Lebron James. Leading this team to a 65-17 record and a championship, back to back, beating a superteam, something I don’t believe Magic, Bird, Lebron, Kareem, or Jordan could do.

Thank you Shaq! Dr. J is also in the convo! His career in totality is undeniable! No matter what LeEspn does, Kobe in basketball circles is in the goat convo!

Stephen A is like a kid telling his big daddy someone argued with him and expecting him to be on his side but turned out his daddy shaq actually was on the other side 😂

I’m glad Shaq & Rashad spoke up on this!! The Media always trying to diminish Kobe Bryant legacy like he was a Bum or something 🤦🏾‍♂️

In my book Shaq is the greatest big man of all time in my book!!!

Kobe 100% deserves to be in the conversation. People forget once MJ retired Kobe took the reigns of being the best player in the NBA. I'm not a Lakers fan but anyone who was around in the 2000's knows that in that era Kobe, Shaq, T-Mac and Duncan were the best players in the League. In my opinion if you are the best player of a certain era you have to be in the conversation. Which is why Magic, Bird, Wilt, Mikan, Cousy, Kobe, Lebron, Dr J, Jordan and more all have to be in that conversation.

Exactly Kobe always needs to be in the conversation

Kobe top 2. Me, nor SAS or even Shaq can say with facts. ITS ALL SUBJECTIVE

I honestly believe Stephen A is just doing ESPN’s bidding here. His boss probably told him to say this shit. Like they’ve been doing the past 20 years since Colorado

Thank u Shaq you made him look like a fool on his own show

1.MJ 2.Kobe than everyone else

I like how Shaq got Stephen A. about having Dr. J in the GOAT convo. There are others that you can see as the GOAT besides Jordan, Kareem, and LeBron. There is Kobe, Shaq, Wilt, Magic, Bird, Dr. J, etc. that can be in that convo.

facts! moving on....

Well said Shaq!

Kobe is the conversation! Shaq knows how not to yell, SAS is like he screams as a defense mechanism.

I got Kobe at #2 all time. First guard to be drafted straight of high school. Youngest all star ever and to start a all star game. 81 points 4 all star mvp

I’m with Shaq. The man played with and against both Bron & Kobe and like so many NBA players he puts Kobe ahead of Lebron.

That was a thing of beauty how Shaq, checked Stephen A regarding Kobe and GOAT debate. They need to diminish Kobe to elevate LeBron to expand and sell this current soft NBA with GOAT debate. I wonder why they don’t diminish Kareem accomplishments when he won 5 championships with Magic Johnson who is considered by some to be top five all time. So did Magic carry Kareem during those finals like they say Shaq did Kobe? Stephen A. it doesn’t seem that Shaq isn’t aware of the conversations you use to have with Kobe regarding LeBron being number two as you mentioned earlier in your rant about McCants.

Jordan, Bron, Kobe, Magic and Kareem in the GOAT debate. Shaq is right. Just like with Football you have Messi, Pelé, Cristiano Ronaldo and Maradona. SAS do not disrespect the great. It is blasphemous not to have Kobe in the GOAT debate.

Shaq say it perfectly he didn't say Kobe was the goat he just said he deserve to be in that conversation

Much respect shaq keep Kobe name alive

Shaq literally played against MJ, Kobe, and Lebron in their primes. Who can evaluate better than the guy who played against all 3? A.I. got to play against all 3 as well.

Shaq is absolutely right 💯 Kobe is my number 2. Ion bron is better than Kareem or Magic Johnson

Thank yu Shaq… give that man the respect he deserves and earned.

I'm glad that Shaq checked him and mentioned how Stephen A. & others on tv just leave Kobe's name out of the 🐐 debate. When the original debate was Mike or Kobe being the 🐐.

Shaq speaks the truth. But espn is trying to erase Kobe from the goat debate and it’s sad Sas cappin hard right now and it’s sad, everytime hes confronted he always back peddles

This goat debate is something I’d never understand. Lebron has traded more players(help) than Mike, Kobe, and anybody else that would be considered in the goat debate. At what point does that count against his argument to even be in the conversation…?

Shaq really went soft on camera but I guarantee off camera it was different

The media always trying leave kobe out but the fans that watched this man play know

Shaq is a class act and a real one!!

I don’t understand why LeBron gets so much credit for losing 6 finals. I ain’t saying he’s not still up there and an all timer, but it’s just crazy to put him ahead of Kobe. Especially when he melted down so bad in 2011. Kobe had a few ugly playoff runs but nothing that ever rivalled LeBron’s choke job in 2011. I think IF NOT for 2011, LeGM might be ahead of Kobe. But as of right now, there’s just too many blotches on his resume.

Finally somebody check yo behind without let’n u interrupted them. Cause u (Stephen a. ) is the a ultimate interpreter 😷

Good job, Shaq.

I don’t care what nobody saying and it’s my opinion. For me it’s #1 Jordan and #2 Kobe. That’s it

Thank you Big Aristotle !! Shaq setting things back to reality!! Bron hasn’t passed Kobe yet. R.I.P. Mamba 24

Kobe was better than Jordan How did each player elevate teammates without a top 75 player ? WITHOUT PIPPEN : MJ was 154 -170 in the regular season in the JV (weaker) east without Pippen Kobe was 508-458 without Shaq in the toughest conference in NBA history (10 deep) without Shaq. Unfortunately Jordan (regarded by many as the GOAT) was never able to win more than 41 games in an extremely weak Eastern conference. Yet Kobe won 45 games in an extremely tough (varsity) Western Conference with Luke Walton Smush Parker, Chris Mihm, and Kwame Brown as his starters an unbelievable feat that Magic, Jordan, Kareem, Lebron no other player other than Kobe has done or could ever do in a 10 team deep conference. Jordan was 1/9 in the playoffs without Pippen. Kobe was 59-42 without Shaq in the playoffs, against far superior competition. Kobe dominated the playoffs without Shaq against toughest of opponents such as the Spurs with prime Duncan, Ginobili, Parker, Bowen etc. The accomplishments can go on and on. Kobe was cheated out of multiple all defensive selections but still has 12, 3 more than Jordan’s 9, being a far better on ball defender, more versatile being able to cover and shut down the likes of Kyrie, Iverson, Wade, Kawhi, Harden, Westbrook, Durant, Lebron, Carmelo, things Jordan could’nt dream of doing and never did. Kobe has more points, rebounds, and assists than Jordan in spite of playing limited minutes his first 3 and last 3 years and deferring to Shaq for 8 prime years. Kobe has more playoff wins, more playoff series wins than Jordan in spite of playing his best 4 prime years with Smush Parker, Kwame Brown, Chris Mihm, and Luke Walton as fellow starters, and his last 3 post achilles years with Robert Sacre as his next best player as he played those limited minutes. Kobe, not Jordan, is the only player in NBA history with 3 straight postseasons of 600+ points, 100+ assists,100+ rebounds, most 30 point road playoff games, most 30 point games over 2 postseasons (29), the only player in NBA history to average 32+ points and 7+ assists in an NBA Finals series doing it vs. the DPOY, and the only player in NBA history to have back to back 45 point 10 rebound games in the playoffs, and the only player in NBA history to win back to back Finals MVP’s without a top 75 teammate !!!! Kobe also has done things Jordan simply did not have the offensive arsenal to do, or with all the shots Jordan took and all his competitiveness he'd have done them : - Average 40 points for an entire month not just once 4 DIFFERENT TIMES 0 for MJ - 4 straight 50 point games - Outscoring an entire (NBA finals bound) team through 3 quarters 62-61 - 12 - 3 pointers in one game - 13 - 35 point games in a row - 6 times scoring 50+ in 3 quarters or less - 55 points in a half - 56 Ppg. over a multi week span - 10 - 50 point games in one season - Only player in NBA history with 2 - 30 point quarters - NBA record 11 - 20 point 4th quarters - NBA record 715 points over a season in the 4th quarter And many many more herculean feats that Kobe has done against tougher faster bigger defenders night in and night out ie Bruce Bowen, Ron Artest, Doug Christies, Andrei Kirilenko, Tayshawn Prince, Raja Bell etc, in an era where every team had 1-2 dirty playing defensive stoppers.

Kobe and shaq the best ever they truely inspiration legends forever.❤❤❤❤

Agree with Superman Kobe definitely needs to be in that conversation

Kobe said I don’t need Shaq and proved that he didn’t winning 2 championships Lebron said I need Wade and Bosh and won 2 championships. He said I need Kyrie and Kevin Love and won 1 championship. He said I need Anthony Davis and won another. Kobe is different SAS sorry not sorry

Kobe doesn't need to be in the GOAT conversation because everybody knows MJ was better. With that said, Lebron doesn't need to be in the GOAT conversation either because MJ was clearly better than him too. A closer debate is actually Kobe vs Lebron. You can't argue that Kobe's 3 1st 3 rings don't count because he had Shaq and ignore that Lebron literally had to run and create a super team in the weaker Eastern conference, twice, and still has less rings than Kobe. If we're talking about winning, Kobe was better. He had a more complete game, played both sides of the ball, had the killer instinct, and did more with less. If we're talking about counting stats and longevity, Lebron is better than everybody. But people don't actually use counting stats and longevity as the main criteria for determining whose the best otherwise Stockton would be considered the GOAT PG. So no exception should be made for Lebron just to push a narrative in his favor.

It’s bittersweet to see the love Kobe gets after him being gone , but I remember the slack I caught for rooting for him throughout his career . The hate From Celtics fans , LeBron fans , Spurs fans and any other team fan that got smoked by Kobe. Any true basketball fan that knows the game Knows any real GOAT list starts with 1.Jordan 2.Kobe Long Live Mamba 🕊️

I'm so sick of career media guys arguing with guys who not only played in the league, but also dominated it. But it's literally the only sports content out there now.

Bron a great player, aside from his longevity of course.. he’s STILL THERE, all this time and all these numbers, still don’t have as many rings as Kobe, let alone Jordan