We pause here as you catch your breath. The Black Mamba was listed at 25, below the likes of Chris Bosh, John Wall and Jakim Noah. Even Bryant haters found the list nonsensical at his best and “blasphemous,” according to fellow ESPN “First Take” host Stephen A. Smith.
The assembled crew of basketball pundits who compiled this list managed to stir the ire of basketball afianados, junkies and pundits across the country and the NBA season is still two weeks away. The network asked their ESPN Forecast panel to rate each player on a 0-to-10 scale, in terms of “the overall level of play for each player for the upcoming NBA season.” The panel of experts include well-known writers and personalities including Stephen A. Smith, Michael Wilbon, Jemele Hill, Chris Broussard, Scoop Jackson, J.A. Adande and former NBA players Jalen Rose and Antonio Davis.
Take a look at the outrage vented on Twitter about the 2013 ESPN’s NBA Player Ranking.
#NBArank I don’t care how old Kobe is or about his injury. Even coming back from a torn achilles he’s a top 5 player #Vino @luisbasketbal1
— J.D. (@JDstriker10) October 16, 2013
I love Twitter. #NBArank is the Top Trend because of the most sinful, heinous, ridiculous, appalling monstrosity of a rank for Kobe Bryant.
— RobLASquires (@Squirezy) October 16, 2013
#NBArank has @kobebryant at 25! He’s behind CHRIS BOSH! How can you say with a straight face Bosh is better than Kobe? This is unreal…
— Chris P. Bacon (@ZLeahy_10) October 16, 2013
ESPN ranked Kobe 25th in league..he needed some motivation… #NBArank
— Raven Hollins (@cuervochanelle) October 16, 2013
That being said, it kind of blows my mind that there could be 24 NBA players better than @kobebryant… #NBArank
— The Image Cartel ™ (@TheImageCartel) October 16, 2013
#NBArank goes by assists per game..hence Kobe 25th lol
— DJ Gooch..PIFBoyz™ (@GoochBabyGooch) October 16, 2013
A #NBARank of 25? Can’t wait to see @kobebryant‘s response to that. Both on social media and the court.
— Michael S (@mstrawthr) October 16, 2013
Hm. Chris Bosh’s #NBARank seems low. But that’s probably a result of him deferring to Wade and Lebron so they can win
— Avi Saini (@AvikarSaini) October 16, 2013
Hm. Chris Bosh’s #NBARank seems low. But that’s probably a result of him deferring to Wade and Lebron so they can win
— Avi Saini (@AvikarSaini) October 16, 2013
#NBARank … Really? Completely stupid. Just about 0 people would take Wall Hibbert Noah or Bosh over Kobe right now. So dumb. Or the rest
— Tony Kamel (@imTKuknowme) October 16, 2013
The #NBArank was disrespectful with that #Kobe ranking. I can’t deal.
— Kendra (@xcluxclu) October 16, 2013
I don’t like Kobe or Laker fans BUT seriously that ranking is disrespectful on ALL levels! #NBARank #gtfoh
— Oct. 23 ❤️ (@ExcuzeMySarcasm) October 16, 2013
Kind of terrified to see how this #NBArank thing will fuel Kobe. Also excited. Very excited.
— Jasmine Teran (@jasminegoesto11) October 16, 2013
A caveman could’ve done this NBA rank better lol
— Selicia (@seliciap) October 16, 2013
