Even if Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant finishes his career as the best Laker of all time statistically, he is fighting an uphill battle to garner the same role in terms of perception.
Bryant is unquestionably in the argument due to his five career championships and the fact that he is the franchise's all-time leading scorer, but can he ever escape the notion that he will always be below Magic Johnson and Jerry West?
Magic and West are arguably the two most loved Lakers of all time, and each player has established a legacy that will likely last forever.
Magic is considered to be the greatest point guard of all time, and he shares with Bryant the title of most championships won with five as a Laker.
West was only able to win one NBA title in his career but he was the franchise's career points leader until Bryant recently passed him, and West's image as the NBA logo will live on forever.
Those are pretty high standards to live up to, and not only is Bryant faced with the dilemma of conquering the legend of those two players, but he must also find a way to defeat his polarizing nature.
Magic and West were lov ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Hadarii Jones
Can Kobe Bryant Ever Earn the Same Level of Respect As Magic and Jerry West?
September 27th, 2010 by Hadarii Jones Leave a reply »
Advertisement