LeBron James Crowned by CBS as the Greatest Player of the 21st Century – But Kobe Fans Call It ‘The Biggest Disrespect in NBA History’!
In the ever-heated debate over who truly reigns supreme in basketball’s modern era, a fresh storm has been unleashed. CBS Sports just dropped its Top 25 NBA Players of the 21st Century, and the headline couldn’t be bigger: LeBron James takes the crown as the greatest of them all. But in true NBA fashion, no list comes without controversy — and this one is already sparking the kind of fan wars that could last for decades. From Kobe Bryant loyalists calling it “a slap in the face” to fans of Stephen Curry, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Durant weighing in with outrage and support, this ranking has lit up every corner of the sports world.
The CBS Sports Ranking That Shocked the Basketball World
The official list, curated by a panel of CBS Sports analysts, names LeBron James at No. 1, followed by Stephen Curry, Tim Duncan, Nikola Jokic, and Shaquille O’Neal rounding out the Top 5. The full Top 25 list is as follows:
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LeBron James
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Stephen Curry
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Tim Duncan
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Nikola Jokic
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Shaquille O’Neal
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Kobe Bryant
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Giannis Antetokounmpo
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Kevin Durant
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Kevin Garnett
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Dirk Nowitzki
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Dwyane Wade
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Chris Paul
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Kawhi Leonard
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Steve Nash
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James Harden
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Luka Dončić
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Jason Kidd
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Dwight Howard
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Anthony Davis
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Allen Iverson
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Tracy McGrady
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Damian Lillard
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Jayson Tatum
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
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Russell Westbrook
On paper, it looks like a well-balanced list, mixing all-time legends with current superstars still building their legacy. But the placement of certain icons — especially Kobe Bryant at No. 6, and Allen Iverson way down at No. 20 — has set off waves of debate that go far beyond just statistics.
Why LeBron James Was Crowned No. 1
For CBS Sports, crowning LeBron James wasn’t about popularity, but dominance. The analysts pointed to his longevity, consistency, and his ability to adapt across eras. From leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first-ever championship in 2016, to cementing his legacy with multiple rings in Miami, and now rewriting history with the Lakers, LeBron’s case is undeniable.
Statistically, LeBron’s résumé is staggering:
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Four-time NBA Champion
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Four-time MVP
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20-time All-Star
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All-time leading scorer in NBA history
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Still producing at an elite level in his 21st season
Beyond numbers, LeBron represents versatility. He can score, pass, rebound, defend, and run an offense like no other. Analysts argue that no player has ever combined such longevity with dominance, making his No. 1 ranking inevitable.
The Kobe Bryant Debate – Why Fans Are Furious
If LeBron’s ranking at No. 1 feels logical, the biggest backlash isn’t about him. It’s about Kobe Bryant sitting at No. 6. To many NBA fans, particularly the global Mamba Army, this feels like an unforgivable insult.
How can a player with five championships, two Finals MVPs, one regular-season MVP, and the most iconic 81-point game in history be ranked behind players like Jokic (who is still in the middle of his career) or Curry?
On social media, the reaction was swift and emotional.
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One Kobe fan wrote: “This isn’t just wrong, it’s the biggest disrespect in NBA history.”
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Another added: “Kobe gave everything to the game, and they put him at six? Shameful.”
The anger isn’t just about numbers. For Kobe fans, it’s about legacy and impact. Kobe wasn’t just a player — he was a cultural phenomenon, inspiring a generation with his relentless Mamba Mentality. To many, leaving him outside the Top 3 feels like a rewrite of history that dismisses his influence.
Stephen Curry and Tim Duncan – The Quiet Controversy
While Kobe fans rage, another debate is brewing over the placement of Stephen Curry at No. 2. Curry is widely credited with revolutionizing basketball by making the three-point shot the most important weapon in the game. With four championships, two MVPs (including the first unanimous MVP ever), and his mark as the greatest shooter of all time, Curry has a case.
But does he deserve to be ranked above Tim Duncan, the anchor of five championship teams and the face of consistency in San Antonio? Many old-school analysts say no.
Duncan may not have had the flash of Curry, but his fundamental brilliance dominated an era filled with Shaq, Kobe, and Dirk. Placing Curry above Duncan is, to some, a generational bias — valuing style and revolution over pure dominance.
Nikola Jokic at No. 4 – Too High, Too Soon?
Another eyebrow-raiser is Nikola Jokic, who lands at No. 4 after just nine full NBA seasons. Yes, Jokic is a two-time MVP and the driving force behind Denver’s first-ever championship. Yes, he’s arguably the most unique center in history, blending passing, shooting, and rebounding like no one before him.
But to place him above Kobe, Giannis, and Durant this early in his career feels premature to many. Critics argue that Jokic needs at least another championship to justify such a lofty position. Supporters, however, say the eye test and advanced analytics make it obvious: Jokic is already one of the greatest we’ve ever seen.
Other Names Sparking Heated Arguments
This list has no shortage of debates beyond the Top 10:
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Allen Iverson at No. 20 – Fans argue the cultural and on-court impact of Iverson is being criminally underrated.
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Luka Dončić at No. 16 – How can someone so young, with zero championships, be ranked ahead of Jason Kidd or Tracy McGrady?
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Dwight Howard at No. 18 – The man who was once the most dominant center in the NBA feels forgotten and misplaced.
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Russell Westbrook at No. 25 – A former MVP and triple-double machine barely making the list? For some, it feels like a snub.
Each of these placements tells its own story, and each one has created its own wave of backlash.
The Bigger Question: What Defines Greatness?
At the heart of this debate lies a deeper issue: what truly defines the greatest player? Is it championship rings like Duncan and Kobe? Is it cultural impact like Iverson? Is it statistical dominance like LeBron? Or is it revolutionizing the game like Curry?
The CBS Sports list forces fans to confront their own biases. Older fans often lean toward Duncan, Kobe, and Shaq. Younger fans push for Curry, Jokic, and Giannis. In the end, greatness may not be a single definition, but a collection of different legacies.
LeBron vs. Kobe vs. Curry – The Never-Ending Debate
No matter what CBS Sports says, one thing is clear: the debate will never be settled. LeBron fans will point to his stats and longevity. Kobe fans will never accept anything less than Top 3. Curry fans will argue his revolution deserves more recognition.
And maybe that’s the beauty of it all. The NBA is bigger than numbers. It’s about moments that live forever: LeBron’s chase-down block in 2016. Kobe’s 81-point game. Curry’s jaw-dropping threes. Jokic’s triple-doubles.
Lists like this ignite passion because they remind us why we watch sports in the first place. Not just to argue, but to feel.
Final Word: Did CBS Get It Right?
So, did CBS Sports nail the ranking, or did they just throw gasoline on the fire? The truth is probably both. By crowning LeBron James as the greatest of the 21st century, they’ve recognized a career that’s impossible to ignore. But by placing Kobe at No. 6, Iverson at No. 20, and Jokic at No. 4, they’ve also ensured maximum controversy.
And maybe that was the point. Because while fans fight on Twitter, one thing is certain: everybody’s talking about basketball again.
