The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most decorated franchises in NBA history. While they haven’t lived up to the name this season, it doesn’t take away from the history they hold. Many NBA greats and legends made their careers by donning the purple and gold. Players such as Magic Johnson and Jerry West solidified the Lakers as a big market team.

However, few upheld the spirit of LA for 20 years in a way Kobe Bryant did. Recently, his former teammate dismissed the claims of a fellow NBA player and said Kobe is the best Laker of all time.

Jason Williams was one of the most legendary point guards to play in the NBA. His dazzling passing left fans mesmerized every single time. While he did all the right things on the NBA court, he became a villain for the fans after his claim over the Mamba. While on a podcast, he said, “Kobe’s not as high on my list as people would really think he should be. I’m not even sure he’s on the top five of the all-time greatest Lakers.”

WATCH THIS STORY: LeBron James Top Five 50 Point Performances In His NBA Career

This sent NBA fans into a frenzy as they went right for the White Chocolate. Williams has backed down from his claims since then.

However, when it first came out, John Salley, a champion alongside Kobe, was the first to defend his teammate.

No better Laker than Kobe Bryant

John Salley made history as the first player to win three titles with three different teams. He completed this historic feat with the 2000 Lakers playing alongside Shaq and Kobe. Hence, he understood what Bryant truly brought to the Lakers. So when a reporter asked him about Williams’ claims, Salley simply explained why Kobe is the best Laker ever. He spoke about how he had Jerry West and Magic before, but 20 years of the Mamba changed the scales.

He said: “Kobe is the greatest Laker of all time….. Well the greatest Laker of all time when I was growing up was Jerry West because he had lost what 9 times in a row and then finally won one.” He continued saying, “Magic Johnson is my favorite player. You say greatest Laker I am just going to go with Jerry West, then it was Magic Johnson. Then 20 years of Kobe changed the whole attitude.”

Trending

Why Is Gabbie Marshall Not Invited to the 2024 WNBA Draft Despite Graduating From Iowa?

April 13, 2024 06:21 PM EDT

Larsa Pippen Shows Son Scotty Pippen Jr’s Link With LeBron James’ Camp After His Big Grizzlies Day

April 14, 2024 08:56 PM EDT

Who’s Raven Johnson’s Family? Meet South Carolina No. 25’s Support System

March 31, 2024 08:27 AM EDT

Gilbert Arenas Exposes Ice Cube’s Big 3’s Financial Problems Amid $5 Million Offer to Caitlin Clark

April 15, 2024 02:51 PM EDT

Shaq: “First Time I Ever Got Killed” Was by 7 ft College Basketball Legend From LSU

April 15, 2024 05:54 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Salley believes the entire City of Los Angeles feels Kobe is the greatest Laker of all time. And most of them aren’t wrong. Despite being in such a big market team, there were tough times for the Mamba in LA. Notably, he was close to joining the Chicago Bulls at one point. However, he stayed loyal for his entire 20-year career and brought in 5 championships to the Lakers. He created a legacy that will never leave the purple and gold. He was a player of the fans and fought through countless injuries and pain just to give them a glimpse of him playing.

Michael Jordan Once Declared He Would Never Lose to LeBron James but Could Lose to Kobe Bryant Due to 1 Reason

While Williams may be looking at skill, Bryant did more than enough to prove the elite level of his basketball mastery. The Mamba remains to be one of the most prolific and clutch players of all time. He has the second most game-winners in NBA history and is the fourth top scorer of all-time amassing 33,643 points. His five championships are a testament to the competitor he truly was on the floor. Kobe Bryant gave everything he had to the city of LA. And there is no doubt he is one of the greatest to don the purple and gold.