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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Kristian Dyer

Why did former 3-star recruit Keon Coleman say that Kobe Bryant was the best player in NBA history?

Count Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman as having that Mamba Mentality. The Buffalo Bills wide receiver, a former three-star recruit, is on the record as saying that the late Kobe Bryant is the best player in NBA history.

And while Coleman is clearly wrong about this (it is Michael Jordan first followed by LeBron James, Bill Russell, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Oscar Roberton…in that order!), it is still a bold take from Coleman.

That’s right, Bryant isn’t even in the top five! This is said with all due respect, of course.

Keep in mind that while Coleman is wrong about this, he is very right about buying coats out of season for next year. So he won’t get ribbed here for his horrible ranking of all-time NBA greats.

(Just a reminder once again that the correct order is Jordan, James, Russell and Robertson followed by Bryant).

It’s a bold opinion from Coleman, who was asked which NBA player, Jordan or James, was the greatest of all time.

Now, Coleman’s take is largely built on Bryant’s infamous work ethic. Bryant was known for not just being a workout warrior but also a perfectionist.

And that is what is spurring Coleman’s pick of Bryant. He truly admired the legend and sees his incredible work ethic as setting Bryant apart in NBA history.

 

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If Coleman brings that similar mentality to his NFL career, then there is no doubt he will be among the best wide receivers in Bills history and perhaps even his generation.

Coleman has shown some grit in his career so far, going from being a three-star recruit out of Louisiana to Michigan State and then on to Florida State on his way to becoming a second-round pick in this spring’s NFL draft.

Last season for Florida State, Coleman had 50 catches for 658 receiving yards with 11 touchdowns.

And maybe someday, some young football player, when asked the greatest wide receiver of all time, will answer simply:

“Keon Coleman.”

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