The shark vented his anger for Kobe!

"Bryant ranks 11th? This is simply nonsense!" When he saw the newly released list of top 100 NBA stars in history by US media Bleacher Report, Lakers legendary center Shaquille O'Neal couldn't sit still. The list ranked his old partner, the late superstar Kobe Bryant, at No. 11, which deeply touched O'Neal's nerves.

The list that caused O'Neal's strong dissatisfaction was ranked among the top ten in history: basketball god Michael Jordan, LeBron James, "Sky Hook" Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, "Magic" Elvin Johnson, Lord of the Rings Bill Russell, O'Neal himself, "Stone Buddha" Tim Duncan, "Big Bird" Larry Bird, "Basketball Emperor" Wilt Chamberlain and the iconic figure of the three-point era Stephen Curry. Kobe followed Curry, ranking 11th, with Hakeem Olajuwon, Kevin Durant, "Big O" Oscar Robertson and "LOGO man" Jerry West behind him.

O'Neal's dissatisfaction with this ranking is full of gunpowder, and he does not hide his high praise for Kobe's historical status. This is not a shark on a whim. As early as in an interview in 2023, O'Neal clearly described the best NBA team in his heart: he himself was in the inside, his backcourt partners were Kobe and Jordan, and the forward line was led by Magic Johnson and LeBron James.

In this fantasy lineup belonging to O'Neal, Kobe occupies the absolute core backcourt position, and his position even surpasses the legendary defenders such as Curry who ranked before him on the list. Obviously, Kobe's portion is far from being measured in the 11th place on the shark's value balance.

O's fierce statement instantly pushed this already topical list to the forefront. Historical rankings are always the focus of debate between fans and experts, and there is no absolute standard. But O'Neal reminds everyone in the most direct way: the tenacious will, top skills and countless legendary moments on the highest stage of Kobe Bryant have an unshakable lofty position in the heart of his former comrade-in-arms and super center who is both enemies and friends. The

list can quantify honors, but it can never fully define the spiritual imprint left by a legend on the basketball map and the unique position occupied by the hearts of his comrades. With O'Neal's "bombardment", fans' enthusiasm for discussing Kobe's historical status and the rationality of this list may be ignited again.