After returning from a retreat with Buddhist monks, Victor Wembanyama has dove headfirst into press tours, appearing back to back on LeBron James' The Shop and Kevin Hart's Cold as Balls podcast.
As expected, he wasn't really asked hard-hitting questions, but the interviews were entertaining and allowed fans access to the occasionally reclusive superstar.
While sitting in an ice bath, Hart asked Wembanyama for his five greatest players ever. Wembanayma countered by offering a starting five that no one could really object to.
Stephen Curry, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Tim Duncan, and Shaquille O'Neal.
Hart responded with a list of his own, saying that "I want Kobe."
Wembanyama appeared to be confused by that, although Hart justified it by claiming "the fact that Kobe's not inlcuded in this conversation pisses me off."
Wembanyama, correctly, asked who would get rebounds and block shots in a smaller lineup of Curry, Jordan, LeBron, Bryant, and O'Neal.
Of course, Bryant is an all-time great and a fan favorite, although as author Shea Serrano pointed out, Kobe was perhaps never the best player in the league, always playing second fiddle to Shaq, Duncan, and James, who dominated the entire stretch of Bryant's career.
While Wembanyama certainly meant no disrespect to Bryant, saying that there are simply better players in the annals of NBA history is not a bold take. There are many fans who don't have Bryant in their top-ten list, and Wembanyama might be one.
However, admitting that on a public stage is often met with scorn from fans who wear their purple-and-gold colored glasses wherever they go.
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