We asked our legion of B/R NBA experts, writers and editors to take a list of the best 500 current and former NBA stars and whittle it down to their top 100, ranked. It’s an impossible task, especially when confronted with the reality of comparing players from different eras.

Bryant ranks fourth in all-time NBA scoring (33,643 points) and his “ Mamba Mentality ” work ethic is still cited as a major influence on current athletes. He spent the first eight years of his career as Lakers teammates with O’Neal, with L.A. winning three NBA titles during that span.

NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal did not hold back his criticism for a new ranking and its disrespect for Kobe Bryant.