“Greatest of all time, I would like to be in that conversation. But if it’s not definite—see when you talk about LeBron and Michael, it’s definite. Kobe should be in it, too…” Despite his own accolades, Shaquille O’Neal stated on his Big Podcast, how his former three-peat running mate deserved a place in the Mount Rushmore. Although the GOAT debate has been about MJ and LeBron, for some time now, Kobe Bryant’s contributions also have equal importance. But a former player turned analyst doesn’t feel so.

“I love Kobe [Bryant], God rest his soul, but he’s not top-3 [all-time] in most people’s eyes. I don’t even understand how this is even an argument with him & LeBron [James].” Chandler Parsons on the Run It Back show stated his comments, which prompted the host to ask him who the third person was on his list. Parsons suggested Shaq and players from previous generations could make a claim for the third spot. But later revealed the Suns star as his answer.

“I would rank Kevin Durant above Kobe,” said the 9-year NBA veteran. But his co-host Lou Williams disagreed and stated that Kobe Bryant would be on a lot of people’s top 3 list. The debate between Michael Jordan and Black Mamba is always about how the latter wanted to mimic the former.

That’s why in The Last Dance documentary, Kobe Bryant was not a fan of that debate. “I don’t get five championships here without him, because he guided me so much and gave so much great advice.”

In fact, this sentiment was also expressed by Kevin Durant, that too back in 2018. “But watching Kobe and Mike, I’m like, ‘How do you not realize how good these dudes are?’ How do you not say they’re by far better than anybody who’s played the game? Just by the way they move, how fluid they are.” But did you know how KD reacted when he met Kobe Bryant for the first time?

Kevin Durant and his surreal experience with Kobe Bryant

Everybody fondly remembers their Michael Jordan moment! LeBron James described it as ” I didn’t think Michael Jordan was real. I only thought he lived in the TV.” Several stars over the period of time have stated similar experiences. But for KD, his meeting Kobe Bryant was nothing short of that.

“I don’t remember the conversation, but I can remember that I was shaking. Kobe is a god to me basketball-wise, so just to see him actually know my name at that time, I was 18, it was surreal.” Over the years, both faced each other for a total of 36 matches on the hardwood. And there is only a slight advantage to Kobe Bryant with his 19 wins as opposed to 17 favoring the Slim Reaper.

But for the playoffs, it is the reverse as KD holds the advantage of 6-5 over the Lakers legend. Maybe that is why Parsons remembers Durant being better than Kobe Bryant. But in our opinion, is this argument valid?