5 Harsh Realities about Kobe Bryant

#1 Bryant is not the "Greatest Laker Ever"

Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant

As the Lakers repeatedly honored or mentioned Bryant through the last couple of seasons, Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, who is currently the President of Basketball Operations for the Lakers, hasn't held back calling Bryant the greatest Laker to ever play.

The Lakers are one of the prestigious and most successful franchises in NBA history. Their tally of 16 championships is second only to the Boston Celtics (17).

Naming Bryant as the outright best player of a franchise that has seen numerous great players - Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. These two greats, that were the pillars of the 1980's Showtime Lakers, are the real players along with Bryant competing for the throne of the "Greatest Laker Ever".

So Magic Johnson didn't play as many seasons as Bryant but his success/year rate is tremendous. If we were to give Bryant the thumbs-up for longevity, which is a weak one anyway, he would lose that to Jabbar, who has six MVPs (three with the Lakers) to his name. Not to mention Jabbar's six titles and various other multiple achievements.