Dwyane Wade calls Kobe Bryant the ‘second great player of all-time’

January 17, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) guards Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) in the second half of the game at the Staples Center. Heat won 99-90. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
January 17, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) guards Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) in the second half of the game at the Staples Center. Heat won 99-90. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Discussions over who the great NBA players of all-time are interesting conversations. They’re more interesting when actual NBA players give their input on the situation as they’ve a first-hand experience against a lot of these guys. Insert Dwyane Wade who revealed in a recent media event that he believes Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant is the 2nd best player in NBA history.

"“Well, it used to be Kobe Bryant… the second best all time…. now, I have a new favorite player to play against… my former teammate, LeBron James.”"

First and foremost, as much as you want it to be, this isn’t a shot at Wade’s former teammate in LeBron James. There are many who believe that James could become the second best player all-time–some even believe he can be the first–but his career is far from over. There’s much he can add to his legacy from this point as opposed to Bryant.

More from Los Angeles Lakers

Secondly, Wade’s sentiments aren’t an unpopular opinion. On every corner of the earth is a person who believe that Kobe Bryant is the second best player of all-time behind Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan. He’s won five-NBA championships, has led the league in scoring many times, and has been one of the league’s biggest faces in the post-Jordan era.

But there’s no clear second-best player of all time and the discussion doesn’t end here. Join the conversation and let us know who you all believe is the second best NBA player of all time–or first if don’t think Jordan deserves the mantle.