Aside from the 90s, when Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan is considered one of the greatest players of all time and the most influential in his era, the next man up is his student, Kobe Bryant, who attempted to have his own legacy of greatness.
Being the most influential and the greatest of all time completely varies from its individual strengths, achievements, and its impact on the basketball community worldwide.
The NBA is regarded as the pinnacle of basketball, where players have garnered a vast following by showcasing their talents to diverse groups, including youth, amateurs, and professionals.
Following the Jordan era, a new generation of great players emerged, becoming influential over the next two decades, including LeBron James, Allen Iverson, Kevin Durant, and many others.
However, when discussing Bryant and Stephen Curry, they were always in conversation among kids.
“Kobe!”
The idea of being considered one of the greatest of all time is often correlated with being influential among players and fans due to the capabilities to achieve greatness or serve as a role model looked up to.
The five-time NBA champion is the only NBA player who has labeled his own mentality, known as the “Mamba Mentality,” which has become ingrained in the minds of many players, especially those who compete at a high level.
Bryant said during his retirement speech that his next dream is to inspire the next generation of athletes and be honored one day.
For Kobe, it is always about inspiring those next to him.
The former MVP loves coaching, as it reflects his personality of influencing different people, including those in the community outside of basketball.
Becoming the most influential requires the right personality and lifestyle off the court, as well as how this professional treats his family and friends.
Imagine, when throwing trash papers in the garbage can, everyone was shouting “Kobe,” and this just proves how influential he was.
Aside from earning championships, Kobe obviously aimed to teach players who also have an immense mentality and heart for basketball to become the best version of themselves.
The Greatest Shooter of All-Time
Many fans would react differently when they heard about Curry surpassing LeBron, but we were discussing the influence of certain biases on personalities and how they impact the evolution of the game of basketball.
From layups to slamdunks, to fadeaways and mid-range, until we witness the long three-pointers and half-court shots.
In line with this, professional leagues overseas have transitioned the game, moving the four-point line steps away from the original three-point line, while the NBA is still considering it.
Seeing the four-time champion in his prime, he has been around the world, where we can see players taking long shots.
The statistics from the league also show that when Steph was at his prime, a decade ago, the NBA transitioned to a larger scale of three-pointers than mid-range shots compared to previous timelines.
In terms of personality, Curry has a unique one; he has also become bold in his faith, which is evident in his chest-pumping and upward-pointing gestures every time he makes a shot, looked up to by many.
Current Era
Bryant and Curry were both great competitors in different timelines, and it has been a great honor to witness their influence on various generations of players and fans.
While Kobe was already in another world, his greatness still lives on in today’s era, from Mamba Mentality to his signature shoes, which were always sold out, serving as a testament to his legacy.
For Steph, now 37, still in his prime, he is doing amazing things, chasing history to earn his fifth ring this season.
The influence he had is what we currently have in the world of basketball.
