When Fred VanVleet sat down on the Unguarded Podcast, he dropped a gem that pulled fans right back into the magic of 2019 - the year Kawhi Leonard took over the basketball world. According to VanVleet, Leonard wasn’t just riding high after leading the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA title - he felt like he was the guy. So much so, VanVleet said, that Kawhi believed he was greater than Kobe Bryant.
Now, let’s unpack that.
Kawhi had every reason to feel invincible. That Raptors run wasn’t just historic - it was seismic.
Leonard averaged over 30 points per game during the postseason, took down Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo in back-to-back series, and then went toe-to-toe with one of the most stacked teams in NBA history - the Golden State Warriors featuring Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry - and came out on top. And let’s not forget that shot.
The game-seven buzzer-beater against Philly - four bounces, pure drama, pure ice - instantly became one of the most iconic moments in NBA history.
In that moment, Leonard wasn’t just elite - he was untouchable. He was the Finals MVP, a two-way force of nature, and the face of the league for a brief but unforgettable stretch.
So when VanVleet says Kawhi felt like he was above even Kobe Bryant, it’s not hard to understand where that confidence came from. That kind of self-belief is wired into every great player - and when you’re at the peak of your powers, it’s easy to feel like there’s no one above you.
But let’s zoom out.
In 2019, Kawhi had two championships, two Finals MVPs, three All-Star nods, and three All-NBA selections to his name. That’s an incredible resume by any standard.
But compared to Kobe Bryant? That’s a different conversation entirely.
By the time Kawhi lifted that trophy in Toronto, Kobe had already retired with five rings, 18 All-Star selections, 15 All-NBA honors, 12 All-Defensive team appearances, and a league MVP from the 2007-08 season - a year where he played all 82 games, averaging 28.3 points, 6.3 boards, and 5.4 assists while leading the Lakers to the top of the West. And let’s not forget the early-2000s three-peat, where Kobe and Shaq ran through the Pacers, Sixers, and Nets like a buzzsaw.
So while Kawhi’s 2019 run was legendary, Kobe’s body of work spans two decades of dominance. Kawhi was the best player in the world for a stretch - no doubt about it. But Kobe’s legacy is built on sustained excellence, longevity, and a relentless drive that defined a generation.
That said, Kawhi’s mindset - believing he was the best - is exactly what makes great players great. You don’t dethrone dynasties or hit game-winners in the biggest moments without that kind of edge.
It’s not about being better than Kobe. It’s about believing you can be, even if the numbers and accolades tell a different story.
In the end, there’s no shame in the comparison - it’s a testament to just how high Kawhi soared in 2019. But Kobe Bryant’s place in basketball history is secure. He’s one of the all-time greats, and that’s not just opinion - it’s backed by two decades of proof.