Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant made up one of the NBA's greatest all-time duos on the court, even if they didn't always get along off of it.
O'Neal and Bryant's tension during their playing days is well-documented, but they made up later on, and following the latter's tragic death in 2020, Shaq has vocally defended his former running mate's legacy on more than one occasion.
On Tuesday, Bleacher Report released its updated rankings of the top 100 players in NBA history. Shaq checked in at No. 6, right between Bill Russell and Tim Duncan.
Bryant, meanwhile, missed the top 10, finishing 11th. Steph Curry beat him out for the 10th spot, while Kobe was one spot ahead of Hakeem Olajuwon.
There's no real shame in being regarded as the 11th-best player in NBA history, but Shaq felt the BR staff disrespected Bryant, and he let them know his feelings on X/Twitter.
"Kobe at 11 is criminal," O'Neal wrote.
As for how Bleacher Report arrived at its final rankings, the outlet had its panel of writers, analysts and editors submit their own top 100 rankings based on "the totality of each player's NBA career, cumulative and average stats, awards, playoffs, championships, cultural impact and overall greatness."
Kobe's highest ranking was fourth while at least one expert slotted him as low as 18th. Even the writeup on the five-time NBA champion said Bryant's potential top 10 all-time status is "remains one of basketball's most heated debates here in 2025."
"There's a case to be made that Kobe is actually the most influential to ever set foot on the NBA's hardwood," Bleacher Reported argued. "His prime bisected with two different periods: the era in which mythology reigns supreme, and the social media age, which broadened his exposure and brand and, by extension, his legend.
"Older heads continue to worship at the altar of his maniacal work ethic. Contemporaries still cite him as a source of stylistic inspiration. From a basketball-reputation perspective, no one's impact on the game has actively spanned more generations."
Do you agree with Shaq that Kobe should have been higher?
Shaq Calls Out Kobe's Ranking on New All-Time NBA List first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 14, 2025
2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.