Wade Calls Out Bleacher Report for Snubbing Kobe Bryant
Bleacher Report’s latest NBA GOAT list raised eyebrows for all the wrong reasons—especially when it came to Kobe Bryant. The backlash was swift, but one response in particular cut through the noise. Dwyane Wade had something to say, and he didn’t hold back.
A Hall of Famer Steps In
Dwyane Wade didn’t hold back when Bleacher Report placed Kobe Bryant at number eleven on their all‑time list. On his WY Network show, Wade’s tone was sharp and unapologetic as he made his stance known. Wade flatly said anyone who faced Bryant on the court would never rank him outside the top three. He aimed his point directly at those making lists from behind a desk rather than from inside the paint.
Bryant’s name has been linked to dominance for decades. Five championships, 18 All‑Star selections, two scoring titles, and an MVP award marked him as one of the most decorated athletes in NBA history. And his stats are just one part of the equation.
Players speak about late nights in practice facilities and endless tape sessions that showed how deep his drive went. His farewell game in 2016 summed it all up when he poured in 60 points on a night when many thought his body had little left to give.
The List and Its Fallout
The Bleacher Report list stacked Bryant behind legends like Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, and Stephen Curry. Shaquille O’Neal point-blank said the ranking was “criminal.” His name was No. 6 on the list, but that didn’t change the facts. It’s one thing when fans argue over rankings at home, but it hits differently when those who shared the hardwood speak out.
Wade reflected on how Bryant handled similar lists when he was alive and recalls how he questioned those who made them. Wade himself landed at number twenty‑three on that same ranking. He had no reason to speak up beyond his respect for the game and its history.
Kobe’s Lasting Place in the Conversation
Image via Unsplash/Olivier Collet
Kobe Bryant’s impact stretches beyond the years he spent on the court. His scoring average over two decades sat at 25.0 points per game, paired with 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists. He thrived during a rougher, more physical era of basketball where outside shooting wasn’t the currency it is today. Those details make Wade’s argument stronger.
The debate over rankings will continue, but Wade’s comments speak to battles fought, respect earned, and a career that still commands loyalty. Kobe Bryant remains one of the most respected names in the sport, and thanks to players like Wade, his place in that conversation remains as fierce as his game ever was.