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Kobe Bryant directs his teammates during a game against the Timberwolves on Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, at Staples Center. (Photo by Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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Kobe Bryant directs his teammates during a game against the Timberwolves on Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, at Staples Center. (Photo by Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
NBA celebrated its 75th anniversary this season and made a list of the top 75 greatest players in the history of the league. The 75th-anniversary ceremony happened in Cleveland last Sunday during the half-time of the All-Star game. ESPN recently released its own list of top 10 greatest NBA players. However, several placements, such as Kobe Bryant, rubbed the fans the wrong way.
ESPN recently released the NBA 75-anniversary team, which was led by Michael Jordan, followed by LeBron James.
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The two frequent names in the GOAT conversations were followed by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Wilt Chamberlain, who complete the top 5. However, it was Kobe Bryant’s placement on the list that shocked everyone.
ESPN’s Top 10 from the NBA 75 team:
1.) Michael Jordan
2.) LeBron James
3.) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
4.) Magic Johnson
5.) Wilt Chamberlain
6.) Bill Russell
7.) Larry Bird
8.) Tim Duncan
9.) Oscar Robertson
10.) Kobe BryantFull list: https://t.co/nl8T1lfhq8
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 22, 2022
Kobe Bryant was placed 10th on the list behind the likes of Larry Bird and Tim Duncan. Many analysts and fans didn’t like the list and expressed their shock over it. Former NFL linebacker, who is currently an analyst on Fox Sports, Emmanuel Acho is the latest name who has questioned Kobe’s position on the list.
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Emmanuel Acho feels ESPN’s top 10 list disrespects Kobe Bryant
In a recent episode of ‘Speak for Yourself’ on Fox Sports, Emmanuel Acho talked about ESPN’s top 10 list. He was visibly frustrated over Kobe’s placement as the 10th greatest NBA player. Acho said that Kobe should not be behind Celtics legend Larry Bird.
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The Lakers Kobe Bryant watches the game slip away during their 109-95 loss to the Clippers on Sunday afternoon at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Photo by Rick Loomis/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
“I hate that list, man, and I hate it because it disrespects Kobe Bryant. Like, at what point in time or are we not just going to honor Kobe’s name? But are we going to put some respect on Kobe Bryant, the basketball player?” Emmanuel Acho said on Fox Sports ‘Speak for Yourself’.
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“Now I get that many people say from a basketball perspective, he was a reincarnation of Michael Jordan. We had already seen a better version of Kobe Bryant before. So maybe that is why we’ve diminished the greatness of Kobe Bryant, the player. But Kobe Bryant should by no means find himself behind Larry Bird.”
Not just Acho, but the list hasn’t satisfied many fans. Many have expressed outrage over Hakeem Olajuwon, Moses Malone, among others’ names from the top 10. In fact, Kevin Durant has been placed on 12th, ahead of Hakeem, Malone, and Erving. Some have found the list controversial, while others felt it was debatable.
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However, there’s no specific parameter to judge these lists. One thing everyone can agree on is that all these names have been the greatest of their respective generation and have inspired the next generation to play and follow the sport.
