Jamal Crawford commends Vanessa Bryant for carrying on Kobe Bryant’s legacy. Courtesy of Los Angeles Lakers YouTube
Basketball Hall of Famer and Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was always known for his Mamba Mentality during his 20 seasons in the NBA.
He would go on to finish his career third All-Time on the All-Time scoring list with 33,643 points. Only behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone at the time. LeBron James surpassed him in January of 2020. After Bryant’s passing on January 26, 2020, in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, his place in NBA history was questioned by media personalities and fans.
But if you ask former players-turned-media members like Vince Carter and Jamal Crawford, they stand ten toes down when it comes to defending Bryant’s legacy.
Jamal Crawford and Vince Carter Believe Bryant Is A Top Player All-Time
In a recent conversation with LandonBuford.com, 2026 Hall of Fame Nominee Jamal Crawford made his stance clear on Bryant’s legacy.
“Kobe Bryant is easily, for me personally, a top-three player ever. You can’t tear that down. It might not always come through in the media, but as long as I have a platform, I’ll keep saying it. All his peers know—Kobe was easily the best player I ever played against,” said Crawford.
“I didn’t guard LeBron like that, and I didn’t play against MJ under those rules. But of everyone I faced in their prime, matching up with Kobe was by far the toughest. And beyond that, he was an even better person.”
Crawford continued praising Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, and the rest of the Bryant family for carrying on Kobe’s legacy.
“I got to know him later in his career—his wife, his family—and I have the utmost respect for them carrying on his legacy. Even now, as I coach my son and other kids, I’d text Kobe for advice. He was ahead of me in that way. He was an unbelievable person, an unbelievable player. The real ones know—you can’t tear down his legacy. He’s a giant. A basketball giant. So many of the best people in sports and in life, across all fields, look to Kobe for inspiration. He’s an icon. Absolutely.”
Vince Carter shared Crawford’s stance on Bryant being a top player in NBA history during an interview with RG.org.
“I’ll never not include Kobe Bryant as one of the top players to ever play this game,” said Carter.
“Period, there’s no debate we can argue to the moon. Kobe Bryant did what he did is accomplish what he’s accomplished. enough said.”
Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss Celebrated Bryant’s 20th Anniversary of His 81 Points Vs. Raptors
On Thursday, January 22, 2026, marked the 20th anniversary of Kobe Bryant scoring 81 points against the Toronto Raptors. The feat still ranks second-highest in points scored, behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in 1962 against the New York Knicks.
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As you can see from the footage above, that game is very grainy. However, the game between the Raptors and the Lakers at Staples Center in Los Angeles at the time is considered the best individual scoring performance anyone has seen.
Several Raptors’ players had the opportunity to guard Bryant that night, including Morris Peterson, Joey Graham, and Jalen Rose. It didn’t matter who was in front of him; they became part of history that night. Jalen Rose, to this day, still speaks about having nightmares about that night. Moreover, in 2017, Rose and Bryant recorded a short skit for his show ‘Jalen vs. Everybody,’ in which Bryant asked for 81 olives for his martini while Rose looked stunned.
Around this time of year, the clip still generates reactions from the NBA community and its fans, including Jeanie Buss, who commented on the clip on X. Buss would reply with, “Miss him everyday. Love this clip. #81.”
Miss him everyday. Love this clip. #81 @chineseguy88 https://t.co/aft7AM0SFg
— Jeanie Buss (@JeanieBuss) January 23, 2026
The clip is just another reminder of a moment when Bryant got the best of Rose during their careers. Another one was when the two faced off in the NBA Finals in 2ooo. The Los Angeles Lakers would go on to beat the Indiana Pacers in six games, as Kobe and Shaq won their first NBA Championship.
About the Author
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
