Few conversations stir more passion among basketball fans than ranking the greatest players in NBA history. While opinions vary widely, Miami Heat icon Dwyane Wade recently made it clear that for him, Kobe Bryant belongs not just among the elite—but in the top three of all time.
When Bleacher Report ranked Kobe Bryant 11th on its all-time NBA list, it triggered backlash from fans and players alike. Wade, speaking on his WY Network show, didn’t hold back. The Hall of Famer insisted that anyone who actually played against Bryant would place him far higher than that.
“If you want to ask us hoopers who played against Kobe, all of us gonna talk top three,” Wade said. “We all gonna talk top three if you played against Mamba. But someone’s opinion that’s never played against Kobe, having him at 11, why am I up in arms about something like that? I remember when Kobe was alive, they had rankings when he played in the league…and Kobe addressed it, like ‘Who are these idiots?!’ And I’m not calling the person who did this an idiot…but when someone does something like that, Kobe was like, ‘This is idiotic to me.’”
Wade makes a compelling point. While fans and analysts rank players through the lens of statistics and legacy, athletes often base their assessments on firsthand experience—on who was hardest to guard, who changed the tempo, who owned the court. Under that lens, every ranking becomes inherently subjective.
Still, Bleacher Report placed Bryant behind legends like Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, and Stephen Curry—decisions that many see as debatable. While those players left indelible marks on the game, leaving Bryant outside the top ten feels like an oversight to many who watched him dominate for two decades.
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Bryant’s resume speaks for itself: five NBA championships, 18 All-Star appearances, two scoring titles, and an MVP award. His legacy stretches far beyond accolades. His mental toughness, relentless work ethic, and iconic performances made him a global ambassador of basketball and an inspiration to generations.
The Lakers thrived during Bryant’s era, competing in one of the most physical periods in league history. Long before the explosion of the three-point shot, Bryant’s midrange mastery and fearless drives set him apart. Over 20 seasons, he averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game—all while locking down elite offensive players on the other end.
The debate over the NBA’s GOAT will never truly be settled. But for Wade—and for many who faced Kobe Bryant under the brightest lights—there’s no question that the Lakers legend belongs in the top three, not watching from 11th.
