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Kobe Bryant Ranks 6th in ESPN’s #NBARank

By | September 26, 2012|

The verdict is officially in with ESPN’s #NBARank down to the top 10 players in the NBA with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers improving from last year’s No. 7 ranking, but not by much.

Metta World Peace (137), Steve Nash (19) and Pau Gasol (15) have all received their rankings without much debate about where they’ve been placed amongst the NBA’s best. The ranking of Kobe on the other hand has created quite a buzz around the league with most believing the five-time NBA champion should be ranked higher than last year.

After averaging 27.9 points per game and coming just short of another third scoring title, Kobe has seemingly turned back the clock and proved to many that he may have a few more years left as one of the elite players in the NBA.

Regardless of Kobe’s impressive play last season, the five-time NBA champion has only moved up one notch from No. 7 to No. 6 with a score of 8.88 via @NBAonESPN:

The four players ranked behind Kobe in the top 10 are Kevin Love (7), Dwyane Wade (8), Russell Westbrook (9) and Deron Williams (10).

Although many Lakers fans will almost certainly think that Kobe should’ve been ranked higher, it’s hard to argue that this ranking isn’t fair. It’s no secret that Kobe is no longer in his prime and the players that will be ranked ahead of him are hitting their stride.

The five players ahead of Kobe will be fellow teammate Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant and LeBron James. The order of the top five have yet to be determined, but it’d be safe to safe that the order above will be close with Howard possibly ahead of Rose and maybe even Paul.

The only player that is questionable in terms of being ranked ahead of Kobe is Rose. With the one-time MVP nowhere near 100 percent at any time last season before tearing up his knee in the playoffs, there’s a chance that Rose may never be the same. Rose could possibly be the next Brandon Roy in terms of great potential with an inability to stay healthy.

As for Howard, last year he came in at No. 2. This time around he’ll probably end up anywhere from No. 3 to No. 5. Not likely any other player besides Durant ends up at No. 2.

Do you agree with Kobe’s ranking? Let us know where you think Kobe should have been ranked in the comments below.

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About the author

Ryan Ward

Ryan is a senior writer for Lakers Nation and Examiner.com with an undying passion writing about the Los Angeles Lakers. Follow Ryan on Twitter: @Lakers_Examiner

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  • http://www.facebook.com/jonathan.piedra.963 Jonathan Piedra

    What is bynum ranked???second best center in the league…n not on the top 20…smh….

    • http://www.facebook.com/byalijoumaa Ali Joumaa

      Bynum is ranked number 13

  • Joseph

    only laker fans truely appreciate the mamba cuz we see him day in and day out

  • Shadahsan26

    rose = overrated this is cleary the top 5
    1. Lebron James
    2. Kevin Durant
    3. Kobe Bryant
    4. Dwight Howard
    5. Chris paul

    • Robertsdeshawn20

      exactly kobes #3  thye hate on kb

       

      • Egi

        There’re loving him very much. 6th it’s really max. for Kobe

  • Rjaguon808

    With this ranking Kobe is the only 1 with Championship Rings y is he Ranking low. The guy can still play.
    ESPN U NEED TO GET THIS Right.

    Aloha from Hawaii

  • Bdhpoet

    Ranking:
    1. Lebron
    2. Durant
    3. Paul
    4. Howard
    5. Rose

    Except for possible lingering injury Rose would be ranked ahead of Howard.

    Chris Paul will win the MVP this year. Howard will go to the Celtics who will rebuild around him, not Rondo, although Rondo will stay with the Celtics. Love will also go to the Celtics.

    The Lakers have a long road ahead.

    The winning team in the LA for the next five years at leat will be the Clippers.

    • http://www.facebook.com/byalijoumaa Ali Joumaa

      You are an idiot. I don’t know who taught you about the nba but you should just follow the nhl

  • Jason Richards

    Something is really wrong with this rating system. how did they arrive at that. So how did Rose, Paul and love end up ahead of the great bryant. This will be a motivational factor for Kobe this season and opponents wshall pay the price dearly.

  • TheEclectic

    I’d put Kobe above Rose, but other than that I’d say it’s a pretty fair assessment.  You could make the case for putting him above Chris Paul as well, but not as good.  Laker fans need to gert userd to the fact that Kobe Bryant is closer to retirement than any other player in the top 15 and his being ranked that high is a testament to how hard he works and his incredibly high basketball IQ.  We don’t need Kobe to be the best player in the league to win the championship and when Kobe plays in the finals – everyone will know who is the best player when it matters the most.

  • http://www.facebook.com/byalijoumaa Ali Joumaa

    These rankinng definitely are good for kobe. Its all motivation. #golakers

  • Moneyman45

    The only players I put above Kobe are LeBron and KD. Rose was ranked lower last year and didnt really do anything that would warrant a rise in the rankings this year especially, because of the injury. ( he might not be the same) I like Dwight, and although he’s an elite defender, he doesnt have a back to the basket game and has been regulated in playoff series by perkins, and even gasol/bynum in 2009. I cant put a person without a complete game in front of kobe. Nontheless the fact that he’s in his 17th season and still competing with players 5 to 10 years younger than him speaks volumes about his work ethic. When those other players reach 17 years they most likely will not still be competing at Kobe’s level.

  • Glecydizon

    WHOEVER DOES THIS RATINGS NEEDS TO WATCH THE GAME EVERYDAY, NOT ONE GAME AND PUT HIM 6th… AMONG ACTIVE PLAYERS NO ONE EVEN COMES CLOSE TO KOBE’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS & THE PAST SEASON HE WOULD BE  1 or 2.

  • http://www.facebook.com/onyekachi.okereke.9 Onyekachi Okereke

    Chris Paul and Derrick rose are ahead of Kobe, DID THEY EVEN WATCH BASKETBALL LAST SEASON?!?!?!?

  • ANTHONYinCALI

    kobe is better than paul and rose come on now he should be 3

  • http://www.facebook.com/lamon.tucker1 Lamon Tucker Jr

    no way cp3 is ahead of the Mamba!!!! It should go 1.LBJ(only bcuz he won a title this yr) 2.KD (League Scoring Champ) 3. Kobe (The Black Mamba) Bryant (5 rings 81 pts 2x Olympic Gold medallist do I need to go no) 4.D. Wade and 5. Either Dwight Howard or Andrew Bynum (depending on who you feel is the better Center! I prefer Howard only by a lil)!!! 

  • http://www.facebook.com/kennyorlandoguerra Kenny Orlando Guerra

    I dont mind it. More motivation for Kobe this coming year. Rose shouldve been no. 7 at best. Him and Dwade is a toss-up in my opinion. Rose is the next A.I.

  • Colo1274

    No f**kin Way …Espn sucks Rose .Paul forget this ranking … 17 banner kobe 6 ring..Yea baby

  • Noe116medina

    This is a dumb ranking kobe was the leading score almost the hole season he should be number 3 and cp3 and d rose in front of kobe come on man hands down kobe was one of the top 3 players in the nba last season

  • “The” Lakerfan!

    Kobe ranked no.1 hands down!!!!! I dont care about LBJ winning The Championship because his team got him one, with Mike miller knockin down a dozen 3 pointers, Mario chalmers puttin up a career/season high performance, wade & bosh woke up & smelled the coffee, & cole coming in to knock down 3 pointers as well. But dispite all dat kobe out played KD in the semifinals. check the stats. Kobe is a more experience player, A guru of the game, 5x Champion, Phil jackson protege, number 5th all-time scoring list, 27.9 point average last year, the Greatest of all-time. Need I say more? But lebron gets it cause he been thru alot & won mvp for the 3rd time, Nba Champion 1st time, olympic gold medalist, in one year?? Ok while u at it lets spoiled him with #1 ranking by ESPN for a happy ending to dis King james story! Smh

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ryan-Lee/743373511 Ryan Lee

    Although I do believe that Kobe is the best player in the game, his skill combined with his enourmously intangible way to affect the game at the time that matters most makes him that at this point in his career. One comment made a great point, 17 seasons (20 seasons worth in NBA minutes played, excluding Int’l play!) and still schooling the youngsters in the game. However, this IS a ranking based on efficiency.. so, of course, they’re going to tote LeBron and KD as the 1&2 spots. Regardless of that fact, we Laker fans know what it is: Kobe Bryant and the lakers are about to 3peat. Led by #24. Steve Nash will Maestro; carrying out the duties and setting the tempo. Dwight is our cleaner; blocks, defensive prowess, rebounds, picks, rolls and put backs. Pau is our equalizer; hi to low post D, offensive and defensive boards, playing with both hands, jumpers from 18-20 feet with the occasional 3 and finish at the rim with finesse, or power, depending on which Pau wants to play. Either way, 17 and 12 with 5-7 assists, EVERY night, guaranteed. Along with 4-5 pick and roll a la Princeton or Steve Nash offense. Metta World Peace… Metta, Metta, Metta. The most to prove in my opinion, to himself first and foremost. New found, or, a renewingly regenerated (Ron Artest) offense after dropping 18 Lbs will make him a threat when guarded man OR WIDW OPEN, which he will spend the rest of his career on offense, man or open. Saving all of his energy to exhert on his best aspect: DEFENSE. Also to be noted: 2 players, Metta & Dwight, BOTH want defensive MVP Honors, it’s who they are. Look at that aspect regarding Chemistry and Competition to elevate their respective defensive levels. And then we have Kobe Bryant; he is who he is, he’ll beat you from halfcourt to the basket, we all know, we’ve ween him shoot from 10 ft past the 3 pt line to make a statement that “whoever you are, you can’t guard me.” Here’s my point, this team is led by the man who will eventually go down as the greatest player of all time. Every analyst and owner are comparing this team to the Heat last year and the Lakers in 04, but you see, there’s one very large flaw in that arguement: THIS ISN’T THE HEAT, nor is it 2004. What elements are different? Kobe is 34, not 24. Nash is a 16 year ringless hall of famer, driven for only that purpose with 16 years of failure, and learning, behind him. Dwight Howard has sufferend the same prior failure on the big stage (09 finals), as did Lebron. He is primed for redemption and has been quoted saying “I have always loved Kobe and looked up to Kobe….. I am excited to play with a leader like Kobe and learn how to lead……” does anything about that scream Chemistry Issues? Or, “I want to he the center of attention”? No pun intended. This team has 8 combined championships, compared to 2 on the 2011-2012 Heat (Wade 1, Haslem 1) when the season began. So my question is this: When the scenarios are so different, and the dynamic completely separate in philosophy, how can the scenarios truly be compared and contrasted at all? They can’t be. This team will have chemistry and they will win it ALL.

  • http://www.facebook.com/HomereFils Homère-Fils Févry

    kobe should have been in the TOP 5

  • http://www.facebook.com/HomereFils Homère-Fils Févry

    Mamba should be in the TOP 5

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_MLNU4MJO5YYHJ7PEAGJD6UFIJY KevinH

    Tons of Lakers homers here.  PPG is semi-meanignless.  Kobe is not a very efficient scorer.  He is no better then somewhere in the 10-15 range looking at more advanced stats like PER.  Dwayne Wade was ranked 8th lol.  Does anybody really think that a 34 year old Kobe Bryant is better then Dwayne Wade.

  • Jeffreydixon30

    Kobe should have ranked 1st,just shows how much espn knows