The GOAT conversation, greatest of all time, is one that will be carried on by basketball fans for generations to come. Everybody has their personal favorites like Michael Jordan or LeBron James, Larry Bird, or Magic Johnson. However, there is one all-time great that a lot of people seem to forget.
Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson chimed in on the GOAT conversation that has taken on another life with the recent release of “The Last Dance” regarding Jordan’s career and he wants Kobe Bryant included. The late NBA great of the Los Angeles Lakers had himself a remarkable career winning one MVP, five titles, two Finals MVP, and was named an All-Star 18 times.
Iverson said on Bryant:
What bothers me is when they do talk about it, LeBron is great, first of all, when they talk about comparing him to Michael, I don’t understand how they don’t have the debate when it comes to Kobe. Like, I don’t get it. What, you forgot or something? They forgot? I really think they forgot. I really think they forgot the Mamba, man, the certified serial killer, man.
“I don’t understand how they don’t have the debate when it comes to Kobe. Like, I don’t get it. What, you forgot or something? They forgot? I really think they forgot. I really think they forgot the Mamba, man — the certified serial killer, man.”
-AI on the GOAT debate (2018) pic.twitter.com/A3A8GTEbMP
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) April 20, 2020
Iverson and Bryant had themselves a head-to-head battle in the 2001 NBA Finals with Iverson averaging 35.6 points and Bryant averaging 24.6 points and 7.8 rebounds in the Lakers’ 4-1 series win. Iverson’s play that season drove Bryant into an obsession about him and Bryant went on to have an incredible career.
Everybody has their own opinion on who the GOAT is, but the big key is appreciating and respecting that the greats the game has seen. [lawrence-related id=29810,29798,29786]