The Athletic recently ran a poll of NBA players concerning a number of topics. Among the most compelling was no other than the GOAT debate (mostly just Michael Jordan vs Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James). Of the 133 players asked, one said that Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce is the greatest hooper to ever walk the Earth. Meanwhile, 9.8 percent (or around 13) of the correspondents said that Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant is the true GOAT.
Also the same number of votes as Pierce are Golden State Warriors superstar point guard Stephen Curry and another Los Angeles Lakers icon in Magic Johnson. Michal Jordan had the most votes with a 45.9 percent share of the “ballots,” while LeBron James is a close second with 42.1 percent of support.
Paul Pierce Jokingly Sends Warning to Los Angeles Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant
Although he only had a vote — a dozen behind the Black Mamba — Pierce said that he’s close to surpassing Bryant in the poll.
“I’m catching up to Kobe. I’m right behind you,” Pierce said Tuesday on FS1’s Undisputed.
With all due respect to Pierce, Bryant’s basketball resume is clearly better than his. Pierce is not too shabby himself with 10 All-Star selections, an NBA ring, an NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award, and three All-NBA Third Team selections. However, Bryant had five NBA rings, two NBA Finals MVPs, was an 18-time NBA All-Star, and was a member of 11 All-NBA First Teams. That’s not to mention that Bryant was a superior defender than Pierce, with the former making it to 11 All-Defensive First Teams.
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