AROUND the NBA:

[RGP1981]

Seems like they read my post. "Mamba mentality" "Our generations Jordan" instead of a stat or impact metric based case. Fun part is that compared to past lists he is overtaking players. I wonder why...

For comparisation. Top 10 players of the decade (Hollinger in december 2009).

1)Duncan
2)Garnett
3)Kobe
4)O'Neal
5)Nowitzki
6)LBJ
7)Nash
8)Billups
9)Wade
10)Pierce

To sum it up. There is no consistent criteria on any given ESPN list.

Well, let's see now. Since December 2009, when Hollinger made this list you have provided... Kobe won his 5th ring... and lead his team to his 2nd back-to-back or repeat, which Duncan and KG could not do even once.

I wonder if that had anything to do with it, lol. Those seem like pretty, pretty good reasons to put him over them both. Most other Top 10 candidates managed to repeat at least once (MJ, Lebron, Kareem, Hakeem, Magic, Kobe, Russell, Shaq, Steph).

Here's another reason. Since December 2009, Kobe also lead Team USA to its 2nd consecutive Gold medal in 2012... after they failed to win in his absence, i.e., when the team was under Tim Duncan's leadership in 2004. Just thought that one up since the Olympics are on-going.