Speedy Morman blind ranks basketball icons he's interviewed in the past such as Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson and LeBron James (Photo credits: IMAGN and Morman's Instagram)

"That's my GOAT" - Speedy Morman reveals his NBA GOAT pick among LeBron James , Kobe Bryant & more icons he’s interviewed

Modified Dec 06, 2024 00:52 GMT

Speedy Morman, a journalist for Complex, was the special guest on Thursday's episode of "Unapologetically Angel" and the conversation eventually led to Kobe Bryant. Angel Reese, the show's host, asked Morman to blindly rank the basketball players that he's interviewed in the past.

Reese named five basketball players starting with four-time NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal. Norman went on to place Shaq at the third spot after saying that he was saving the higher rankings for Bryant. Reese then moved on to Allen Iverson who Morman ranked at two.

The next person the Chicago Sky star named was Anthony Edwards who was placed at four. Next, she named LeBron James who Morman placed at the top spot. After James, Reese eventually included Bryant in the list which caused Morman to change his ranking.

"Kobe at one, LeBron at five," Morman said. "Kobe's the GOAT, that's my GOAT. Shoutout to Kobe." (33:06-33:14)

Speedy Morman got the chance to interview Kobe Bryant after he retired in 2016. In that interview, Bryant was candid about what retirement felt like.

Also read: Kobe Bryant's wife Vanessa Bryant reshares Lakers legend's iconic 2009 game-winner on Heat after 41-pt blowout loss

Kobe Bryant shared his "Forrest Gump" moment with Speedy Morman back in 2016

Kobe Bryant was interviewed by Speedy Morman for "Complex Sports" in 2016. In the interview, Morman spoke with the five-time NBA Champion about his "Forrest Gump" moment. Essentially, it was the moment in Bryant's career wherein he wondered how he got there.

Morman brought up the fact that Bryant once said his "Forrest Gump" moment was at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. The year when Bryant teamed up with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul to bring the Olympic Gold back to the United States. Bryant was then asked what his new "Forrest Gump" moment is after retiring.

Bryant answered by saying that his new moment was retiring.

"Today, it's kinda sitting here wondering how I could be so at peace with not playing the game," Bryant said. "If you asked me that question back then there's just no way, I'll always have that itch to go play but I don't. You kinda got to wonder how did I get to this point. It's a great place to be because as a retired athlete the last thing you want is to still have that burning desire to go play. (1:20-1:43)

Morman commented that perhaps some athletes don't know when to call it quits. Kobe responded by putting things into perspective.

"If you've been playing the game for the majority of your life, the game has essentially become your life," Bryant added. "Walking away from it, it's kinda like a death." (1:51-1:59)

Kobe Bryant retired after 20 seasons in the NBA, each one played with the LA Lakers. Bryant was drafted 13th overall in 1996 by the Charlotte Hornets who then traded him to the Lakers.

During his 20-year career, he made 18 All-Star teams, was voted league MVP (2008) and won five championships (2000-2002, 2009 & 2010). He also earned several other awards and reached several milestones. Both his #8 and his #24 jerseys were retired by the Lakers.

In 2021, he was posthumously inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.