In a recent episode of the Run It Back show, former NBA player Chandler Parsons had a hot take about Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. Parsons believes it is San Antonio Spurs legend Tim Duncan, and not Kobe Bryant who should be an all-time top three in the list of greatest NBA players. However, former Atlanta Hawks star Lou Williams had a problem with that take. In fact, he even raised an issue on how Bryant’s legacy is brought up every now and then when he is no longer around.
“There’s too many conversations around Kobe’s legacy for my liking…When that man was alive and well, none of this was a conversation,” said Williams.
Parsons tried to contradict Lou Williams by stating how Tim Duncan is often left out of such conversations, which was indeed a valid take. However, Williams also pointed out how most hoopers, including former NBA players, “99.8%” of the time tend to include “Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant” in their top 3.
While many might agree with Williams’ justification, Parsons stood firm with his take. In fact, he said he could be the only one in the panel to include Tim Duncan in his top three. Now, let’s see if Parsons’ take has any validity to it.
Tim Duncan may even edge Kobe Bryant in top 3 all-time debates due to superior two-way efficiency and team success metrics, but Kobe’s scoring volume and clutch scoring make it close. Both won five championships, yet Duncan claimed two MVPs (vs. Kobe’s 1) and three Finals MVPs (vs. 2), with career playoff averages of 20.6 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 2.3 BPG on elite defense compared to Kobe’s 25.6 PPG but lower efficiency and rebounding.
Duncan anchored 50+ win seasons throughout his prime, boasting top advanced stats like PER (24.2 career), WS/48 (.209), BPM (5.6), and +10,000 on-court net rating, joining elite company with Michael Jordan and LeBron James. While Kobe’s later years included poor team records, dragging metrics like WS/48 (.175), Kobe shone in isolation scoring and 81-point heroics, but Duncan’s consistent impact justifies a slight top-3 nod over Bryant’s flashier profile.
Fans React To Chandler Parsons Choosing Tim Duncan Over Kobe Bryant In His All-time Top 3
Fans were quick to react to Chandler Parsons’ hot take in the comments of Run It Back’s Instagram page. With that regard, one fan wrote,
“Kobe is the next best thing to MJ, It’s not a question.”
Another fan added,
“The only people putting Kobe low on their list, are the ones that didn’t watch him play. They only read stat sheets. Kobe was compared to MJ for a reason. He was loved globally just as much. That man meant more to the game of basketball AND life than LeBron, Curry, KD, or anyone else that has come since.”
This fan wrote,
“Chandler parsons getting to rank best players of all time is a crime in itself.”
Another fan added,
“Tim Duncan will say Kobe Bryant is better than Him…”
Another fan wrote,
“Absolutely untrue Lu! I never heard of Kobe being the goat when he was alive! His death has elevated and raised his rankings drastically… period. Love Kobe. But he ain’t top 3,4, or 5. Period 💯.”
It’s debatable whether Duncan or Bryant rank above one another in a top three all-time list. However, it’s safe to say both players have left an unfathomable level of hoops legacy that fans and players of the upcoming generation continue to aspire.
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