Even though Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players of all time, his name doesn’t come up as often in the GOAT debate. He often gets overlooked for Michael Jordan or LeBron James by the media. Even though players and his peers have rated him very highly.

Kobe is often overlooked because he was a very similar player to Michael Jordan. Both of them were excellent scorers and elite defenders. Their games also mirrored each other. But a legendary NBA head coach does not agree and said Kobe belongs in the same bracket as Jordan.

Gregg Popovich says Kobe Bryant was on par with Michael Jordan

The San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich called Kobe one of the greatest players of all time. Pop and Kobe have had some memorable battles in the playoffs and their teams made the NBA finals year after year. In fact, the Lakers and Spurs combined to make 11 Finals appearances in 12 years while winning 9 championships.

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Pop had high praise for Kobe. He said, “Kobe is one of those guys that every coach in the world says, ‘That would have been great to have an opportunity to coach that guy.”

He added, “One of the greatest players of all time. It’s not just his talent or his physical skills. His mind was on a par with Michael and Larry and Magic, guys like that. They thought the game, they knew what was going on.”

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He also praised his unreal competitiveness. Pop added that his grit and mind and willingness to compete night after night made him Kobe Bryant. Even though they went all out in the playoffs, Pop had always hugely appreciated Kobe and his work ethic.

Maybe now the media will stop overlooking Kobe and put him in the same bracket as Jordan and LeBron.