According to a Lakers legend, Kobe Bryant should be on the GOAT debate

While Michael Jordan and LeBron James get most of the attention when it's time to talk about the NBA GOAT debate, the Lakers showtime era legend Byron Scott believes another purple and gold legend is up there with MJ.

Scott thinks that fans and the NBA media would be comparing the late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and not LeBron James, to Jordan if the five-time champion were still alive today.

“I think they would probably be talking about more Michael and Kobe,” Scott told Brandon Robinson. “I think, like you said, his untimely death — I think a lot of people forgot how great Kobe was. And let’s not take anything away from LeBron James. I think LeBron James is one of the greatest players I’ve ever seen.”

Many players who got inspired by the black mamba believe he is the GOAT and the debate could probably be different as Scott says if Kobe Bryant was still with us.

Kobe Bryant has become the top NBA role model for the younger generations

It’s clear that Bryant’s influence still lives on to this day and will continue to live on for years, as he’s a main source of inspiration for plenty of young players across the world. He spent his entire 20-year career with the Lakers and averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game while knocking down 44.7 percent of his shots from the field and 32.9 percent of his 3-pointers.