The NBA has spoken, this Lakers legend is the GOAT, and no, it is not LeBron James

The NBA has had some incredible and out-of-this-world talent all over its history. Still, usually, when everyone tries to narrow it down on who is the best basketball player that has walked the earth, the list goes to two players, usually LeBron James and Michael Jordan.

And most of the time, there's a close third star, Kobe Bryant, but if you really pay attention to what most former players, active players, coaches, and NBA media say, many believe the Lakers legend Kobe Bryant is the actual GOAT.

Scott Brooks: "You can argue the [Lakers] had the best player ever to play the game [Kobe] for 20 years..." Pat Riley: "He ranks right there with Jordan." David Stern: "Kobe is there with Michael." Dr. J.: "[Kobe's] as good as anyone who's ever played. Let's put it that way." George Gervin: "He set himself apart from everyone else." Kevin Durant: "How do you not say [Kobe and Jordan] are by far better than anybody who's played the game?"

Isaiah Thomas: "I mean, he's the greatest of all time in life and in basketball." Adeyemi Adediran (B/R 2010): "KOBE BRYANT IS THE GREATEST PLAYER TO EVER TOUCH A BASKETBALL." Jerry Rice: "Greatest of all time. You have to earn that title, and I think Kobe did that." Randy Moss: "Kobe Bryant is the best basketball player that I've ever seen dribble a basketball." Mark Jackson: "I never thought I would say it playing against Michael Jordan for so long, but Kobe Bryant, at the end of the day...will go down as the greatest basketball player that has ever lived." Mark Schlererh: "One time, one game, I'm taking Kobe Bryant." Paul Pierce: "If a game is on the line and I need one game, I want Kob." And the list goes on and on.

Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal place Kobe Bryant on the same level as MJ

Charles Barkley: "Kobe Bryant is the best player I've ever seen other than Michael Jordan." Shaq: "If you want to have that conversation (GOAT), there has to be another name added to that - Kobe." Said O'Neal once, then he also added, "You know what, I had the greatest player ever. We could've won six or seven championships, but you live, and you learn."