Lonzo Ball recently revealed his NBA Mount Rushmore while appearing on Angel Reese’s “Unapologetically Angel” podcast, and to the surprise of many, Kobe Bryant—known to fans as KB24—was notably absent from his list.
Reese asked the 27-year-old Chicago Bulls guard a straightforward question: “If you had to pick a top four—no order—who would you choose?”
Without hesitation, Ball began, “LeBron, Jordan,” and continued, “I’m going with Shaq, too, because he’s the most dominant ever.” He paused for a moment before rounding out his picks: “And then fourth, I’m going—we just had this debate—I would go Magic, but honestly, it’s looking like Curry might have to find his way in there.”
Reese, sensing the glaring omission, pressed Ball further. “Why Curry? Not Kobe?”
Ball seemed to struggle to find the right words as he explained, “Just because of… he’s doing it in a way that… I love Kobe, but he was never the best player to me. I mean, he’s got the most misses ever, you know what I’m saying? I don’t know.”
The comment left listeners baffled, especially considering that Kobe Bryant’s legacy is revered by so many in the basketball community. Ironically, Bryant doesn’t even hold the record for most missed shots—LeBron James has surpassed him, with 14,628 missed shots compared to Bryant’s 14,481. This fact only added fuel to the fire for Kobe’s ardent fans.
Attempting to justify his decision, Ball pivoted back to Steph Curry, praising the Golden State Warriors’ point guard. “But back to Curry,” Ball said to Reese. “His resume and the way he changed the game—he’s the best shooter ever. He carried USA, like, there ain’t nothing that he hasn’t done. And he’s got the rings to back it up, too.”
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Ball’s list, as with any debate about the greatest basketball players of all time, was bound to stir up some controversy. There are, quite frankly, no definitive answers to the question of who belongs on the Mount Rushmore of basketball—every pick comes with its detractors. Predictably, Ball’s choices quickly drew reactions on social media, particularly in the comments section of a clip shared by the “Unapologetically Angel” podcast on Instagram.
“Perfect example of telling me your age without telling me your age!” one user commented, implying that Ball’s selections were influenced by generational bias.
“Bro wanna be hated by half of NBA fans,” another user wrote, hinting at the backlash Ball would inevitably face for leaving Kobe off his list.
A third commenter suggested there were personal reasons behind the omission, writing, “Mad Lakers traded him so he talkin’ bad ‘bout Kobe.”
The reference here was to Ball’s brief stint with the Los Angeles Lakers. Drafted second overall by the Lakers in 2017, Lonzo Ball played two seasons with the franchise before being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of a three-team deal in July 2019. Despite the promise he showed, Ball’s time in Los Angeles was marked by the weight of high expectations and the challenges of playing under the spotlight, alongside other stars, in a city that revered Kobe Bryant.
Ball eventually found his rhythm in New Orleans, posting the best numbers of his career during the 2020-21 season, where he averaged 14.6 points per game. He seemed poised for a breakthrough, but after being traded to the Chicago Bulls, injuries started to take their toll.
Since joining the Bulls, Ball has struggled to stay on the court.
The point guard hasn’t played a single game during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons due to a meniscus injury. Further complicating his career, wrist injuries have limited his appearances to just four games in the ongoing 2024-25 season.
The lack of continuity on the court has undoubtedly affected Ball’s career trajectory, though he remains hopeful for a full recovery.
Despite the backlash, Ball’s Mount Rushmore selections reflect his own perspective and experiences with the game.
Choosing legends like LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, and Steph Curry is certainly not without merit, but the omission of Kobe Bryant—a player idolized by millions for his skill, work ethic, and killer instinct—didn’t sit well with fans, especially Lakers supporters.
For Lonzo Ball, the conversation about greatness is personal, and his choices reflect a unique viewpoint influenced by his generation and experiences.
Still, leaving Kobe off his list is likely to remain a controversial decision, especially in the eyes of die-hard Mamba fans.
