In the past couple of days, I have written two articles that have been lambasted by many because of my supposed biased view against Kobe Bryant in this years MVP race.
Though I can take it as well as any, one comment that kept coming back time and time again, was that said Bryant was the greatest of all time, or near it.
That he is better then Michael Jordan ever was!
There was even one comment on how even Magic Johnson was better then Jordan.
As funny as that one was, Johnson not even considered the greatest point guard of all time, it did get me thinking how Bryant and Jordan stack up, and if maybe Kobe had surpassed the icon.
Let us start off by comparing some key stats both have achieved by the year of their 30th birthdays:
Bryant: 20,883 Pts (24.8Ppg), 4418 Reb(5.3), Ast 3867 (4.6)
Jordan: 21,541 Pts (32.3Ppg), 4219 Reb(6.3), Ast 3539 (5.9)
Playing more then two years less then Kobe, Jordan handily takes the stat category.
Winner: Jordan
Next, let us look at the accolades both received:
Bryant: 10 All-Star games, 2 All-Star game MVP, 6 times 1st-team All-Defense team, 5 times 1st-team All-NBA, 2 time scoring champ
Jordan: 9 All-Star games, 1985 Rookie of the Year, 1988 Defensive Player of the year, 3 time MVP, 3 time Finals MVP, 6 times 1st-team All-Defense team, 8 time 1st-team All-NBA, 3 times Most Steals in the league, 7 time scoring champ, 7 time led the league in player efficiency
Winner: Jordan
Many contend that Bryant has had to face tougher competition then Jordan did. Let's look at some teams and players both had to face off against:
Bryant: Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs, Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavs, Chauncey Billups and the Detroit Pistons
Jordan: Isiah Thomas and the Detroit Pistons, Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics, Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers, Patrick Ewing and the New York Knicks
Though the players mentioned in Jordans list are all Hall of Famers, it is too early to say those in Bryants list won't achieve the same heights.
However, it does prove that Jordan had his fair share of opponents.
Winner: Push
A true measure of a players greatness is how many titles and wins he brings to a team. So lets look at how both players stack up against each other:
Bryant: 596-331, 64.3% winning percentage, 4 Finals appearances, 3 titles, missed playoffs once
Jordan: 445-293, 60.3% winning percentage, 3 titles, 1 NCAA championship, 2 Gold Medals in 1984 and 1992 Olympics
We would call it a push, but after bringing in Jordans other accomplishments on the court, there could only be one decision.
Winner: Jordan
Statistics do not lie. Accomplishments do not lie.
How can anyone put Kobe Bryant in Michael Jordan stratosphere yet?
His career still in its prime. Kobe might one day attain or even surpass Jordan, as impossible task as that may seem.
Kobe Bryant is clearly his generations greatest player so far, but comparing him to the greatest of all time is unjust to him. He should be judged on his own accomplishments because, as you can all see, he just is not in Jordan's league.
Kobe Bryant is not the next Jordan—he is Kobe Bryant.
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5 months ago
Magic Johnson isn't considered the best point guard of all-time?
from 2 months ago
This dude who wrote this article is LOST IN F-CKING SPACE..Jordan never matched up with Bird, Magic, or Ewing..Pippen guarded Magic and if I'm not mistaken he Guarded Bird too..not JORDAN...Jordan never Ever Matched up with a great shooting guard outside of Clyde Drexler and Drexler regularly put 30+ points on Jordan...Kobe matches up with FAR SUPERIOR players than Jordan EVER did...Kobe matched up with Pippen, Reggie Miller, Lebron James, Dewayne Wade, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Allen Iverson, Manu Ginobli, Micheal Redd, Joe Johnson, Ray Allen, Jason Richardson, Rip Hamilton on a night in and night out basis....NOW LETS COMPARE THESE MATCHUPS TO JORDAN'S...Jordan faced scrubs like Craig Ehlo, Byron Russell, Ex CBAer John Starks, Mitch Richmond was an ALL STAR for Christ Sakes..this ought to show you how WEAK the Shooting guard position was when Jordan Played..the best players Jordan EVER matched up with was Clyde Drexler, Joe Dumars, and Reggie Miller and WE ALL KNOW KOBE ABUSED REGGIE MILLER.
from about 1 month ago
Mr. Michael Jordan is an ICON respected by many as the greatest basketball player to ever live! His legacy goes beyond his basketball skills, his athleticism, his fundamentals, his superlative smarts for the game and don't forget the soaring, gliding and magnificent dunks. On and off the court Air Jordan was simply brilliant. You didn't see Air Jordan's name in the newspaper being accused of raping someone! Mr. Air Jordan was undoubtedly the best in his era and many eras to come. Quotes by the great Bill Russell "You never got the sense that he took the night off"! Michael captivated us with his excellence for so many years’ night in and night out. He's done so many amazing things on the court that make a player like David Robinson say something like "you get the sense that Jordan has a little magic with him when he plays"! No one was a close second when Your Airiness reigned over the entire NBA. Quotes from Coach Chuck Daly "The man (Jordan) is literally embarrassing the LEAGUE”. Mr. Jordan lived up to the HYPE like no one has ever done before. His style, the bald head, the tongue sticking out, the baggie shorts, his walk and the shoes, which still out sell all currently active NBA player shoes, is just a small measure of his greatness and trend setting ability. You see its more than just scoring a lot of points and winning awards. Everyone wanted to market Mr. Jordan because he was GOLDEN. Mr. Jordan was the game’s greatest player ever even before he won any championship in the minds of many. And then after winning 6 championships with the Chicago Bulls proving that he was a team player and that he could make his teammates better sealed the deal and put all arguments to bed as to who’s the greatest basketball player to ever live. The amazing thing about Michael Jordan is that everyone knew he was going to get the ball in crunch time…and everyone knew he was going to do something breathtaking…and everyone knew that NO ONE could do anything…I said ANYTHING to stop it from happening! Air Jordan was "Captain" of his team and everyone followed his lead. Kobe followed Shaq's lead and now that there is no Shaq, Kobe is so lost and look average at times in the "NBA Finals"! He's finally accomplished something that Mr. Jordan has not, which is losing horribly in the NBA Finals. So embarrassing to lose so badly and not be able to do anything even on an individual level. Kobe Bryant is just a kid with talent. A lot of NBA players are similar to Air Jordan, but it stops there...no ifs, ands, or buts about it. The End.
5 months ago
Dude, when Jordan was Kobe's age he only had one title. He was on his way to his second and he hadn't yet won the olympics. Get your facts straight!
5 months ago
Oscar Robertson, Bob Cousy and Magic can all lay rightful claims to that title, i just wanted to point out the fact that a comment i received was that Magic was the best player of all time. That statement is a little slanted.
I have no problem with Magic as the best Point Guard ever, but Robertsons numbers and the way Cousy revolutionnised the position can contest his position.
from 2 months ago
Magic was clearly the Greatest Point Guard and BASKETBALL PLAYER EVER...Magic is the only player ever that could've been an ALL Star playing ANY position on the Court..Oscar Robertson is a shade below Magic...Robertson couldn't lead his team to the Finals year in and year out like Magic and Oscar couldn't play ALL FIVE Positions like Magic..Magic Johnson was the Greatest Player Ever outside of Kareem.
5 months ago
Kobe is turning 30 this year, and Jordan won his first title at 27 while winning his first Gold Medal at the age of 20. SO i did get my facts straight.
5 months ago
Please stop writing about Kobe, Matt. And please learn the difference between "then" and "than". Nobody really believes at 29 that Kobe is better than MJ. Save the comparisons for after Kobe's playing days are over.
Magic Johnson was a 6'9" point guard that played center in the 1980 Finals. He has five rings and is considered the most gifted player in the history of the NBA.
Please tell me who you seem to think is considered a better point guard. I can't wait to hear this list.
How old are you, Matt?
from 5 months ago
Epic! I just hope that Matt reads your comment. It would really help him out. I'm waiting for the alledged list as well.
from 2 months ago
Kobe is definitely better than MJ..MJ never won Championships until Kareem, Magic, Dr.J, Bird, and Isiah left..The question is if you put MJ on the Lakers from 2004-2007 would MJ have led the Lakers to a Championship in the Western Conference...Put MJ with Kwame Brown, Smush Parker, Brian Cook, and a bunch of undeveloped rookies would Jordan have won a Championship with this cast of Players?...Now ask yourself that Question...Put Kwame Brown, Smush Parker, and Brian Cook and a bunch of CBA talent around Jordan would you be Calling Jordan a Ballhog? or would you be saying that Jordan is carrying his team? Put Jordan on the Lakers and Jordan would be the Biggest Most Selfish Player in the History of the NBA...When Jordan came into the league people called him a BALL HOG..On top of this Jordan would have to face Better teams and Better Shooting Guards..Today's Shooting guards that Kobe faces are a THOUSAND TIMES BETTER THAN THE SHOOTING GUARDS THAT JORDAN FACED.
5 months ago
You have to understand that Kobe is playing in an era which is way better than Jordan's. Think of it this way they had alot of slow white players playing when Jordan did. Go watch his old footage and see those players being dunked on. The NBA is stacked nowadays. The Lakers alone right now have 11 players who are really good. There are no more scrubs such as Jack Hailey anymore. The common player in the NBA now is way better than when Jordan played.
Kobe also had Shaq his first seven years. Naturally if you want to compare stats take that into a count. You also can't compare stats because the game is a different animal now. You have zone defense for one thing. This allows for more team involvement and more sophisticated defensive schemes. You are right that Kobe is not the next Jordan because he is his own player.
Lastly Magic is not the best point guard? What are you talking about!? Were you not alive during the 80's? I suppose you are going to say John Stockton!? I sure hope not...
from 2 months ago
Amen to that Brother...I couldn't have said it any better...Todays NBA has far SUPERIOR Shooting Guards than when Jordan Played..Kobe is not the next Jordan..He's better than Jordan...Jordan and the Bulls never faced a ALLTIME GREAT NBA TEAM and Jordan never EVER matched up against GREAT SHOOTING GUARDS outside of Clyde Drexler who regularly put 30+ points on Jordan...Craig Ehlo, Byron Russell, John Starks, Mitch Richmond, Jeff Hornacek, Mark Price, Reggie Miller (WHO KOBE ABUSED BY THE WAY) are no COMPARISON to Lebron James, Allen Iverson, Dewayne Wade, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Jason Richardson, Manu Ginobli, Joe Johnson, Micheal Redd, Jason Terry, Stephen Jackson, ...KOBE FACES MUCH BETTER COMPETITION on a night in and night out basis and he still puts up numbers comparible to Jordan's who matched up with SCRUBS..KOBE also led a team full of CBAers to the Western Conference Playoffs when OVER HYPED clowns like Kevin Garnett couldn't even get in the playoffs...If Kobe matched up with Whack players like John Starks, Craig Ehlo, or Byron Russell on a night in and night out basis he would EASILY Average 40 points a night...Playing against cakewalk Competition don't make you a Great Player..Just Ask Shaq who DID NOTHING BUT match up with Whack Centers and POWER FORWARDS playing Center throughout his Career...Ben Wallace A POWER FORWARD PLAYING CENTER ABUSED Shaq in the NBA finals.
5 months ago
Kobe will be the best...while Lebron gets even better. Then Lebron will be the best.
5 months ago
Oscar Robertson...Bob Cousy...and Magic Johnson can all lay claim to the title of best point guard of all time.
Oscar for his sick stats, being considered with Jordan as one of the two best all around players of all-time
Cousy for transforming the position into what it has become
Magic for his versatility
5 months ago
Once again, this is just a response to people who are claiming Bryant has already surpassed Jordan. By the time he ends his career it will be another debate, one that i think will still favor Jordan, but only time will tell.
5 months ago
Magic was the greatest player ever, only Kobe can surpass him for now. Jordan could never have beaten the great Laker and Celtic teams of the 80's. The only time Jordan had any success against Larry or Magic. When they were old and had lesser teams. Your comparsion above is not fair at all. Kobe came in the NBA at the age of 18, so his stats were low since he came of the bench his first year or so. A lot of jordan statistics came from playing for a bad bulls team, his first 6 years.
5 months ago
michael jordan is the greatest player of all time period. But I am sure Kobe loves the challenge to go up against the best in history to cement his status amongst the all-time greats. The truly great players never back off from a challenge and Kobe Bryant is no different. My hope is that one day he will be mentioned as a equal to Jordan.
As for your statement:
"Statistics do not lie."
I respectfully disagree. Stats and accomplishments are dependent on a variety of factors. Rule changes, coaching strategies, injuries, team (yes!), player experience, opposition etc. Like you point out, it is unfair to compare kobe to jordan using these criteria.
But I agree with this:
"Accomplishments do not lie."
By "accomplishments", I am referring to championships... If Kobe were to win 6 championships or more, there is no doubt that his level is equal to Jordan's. However MVPs, DPOYs, etc are still questionable "accomplishments" in my mind, to be valid in an argument comparing players from different eras. Especially, the MVP award has been tainted the past few years. It has been awarded to politically correct superstars and the conceited MVP voters change their criteria for MVP every season which is why its so hard to gauge a player's value based on how many MVP awards he has received.
from 5 months ago
You are comparing their careers achievements. That is very unfair since Kobe's career isn't over yet. Lets see what happens now that Kobe has a decent team. Will he continue to dominate WHILE he leads his team to excellence like Jordan did with the bulls. We will see. He definitely has the skills. He just have now to prove that he understands the game as Neo understood the Matrix. Then he will be capable of anything. And he will be better than Jordan, The best ever.
Of cource, while he does that Lebron will grow up and eventually become better than Kobe...or not. We will see.
Botton line: Kobe is the best overall player right now, followed very close by Lebron. He MIGHT become the best ever. He MIGHT be surpassed shortly after by Lebron.
from 2 months ago
Micheal Jordan the Greatest EVER..HA HA HA More like the most hyped ever...Micheal Jordan is comparible to Rocky Marciano..Some people used to say that Rocky Marciano was the Greatest Heavyweight Champion Ever...They compare MARCIANO's 42-0 record to guys like Ali, Joe Lewis, and Joe Frazier and because Marciano finished his career unbeaten you have DELUSIONAL clowns out there who will say that Marciano was better than ALI...Marciano is EXACTLY like Jordan...Marciano like Jordan was probably the best of his era but to say THE BEST OF ALL TIME? Marciano like Jordan never FACED GREAT COMPETITION..Ali had Frazier, Foreman, and Norton...Magic matched up with Bird, Dr. J, Isiah Thomas, John Stockton, Scottie Pippen, Dominique Wilkins...Kareem matched up against Bill Walton, Dave Cowens, Wilt Chamberlain, Willis Reed, Elvin Hayes, Bill Laimbeer, Jack Sikma, Bob Laineer, Hakeem Olajuwan, Moses Malone,..Kobe matches up with Lebron James, Allen Iverson, Dewayne WADE, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Ray Allen, Jason Richardson...Who did Marciano ever face...A 50 year old Joe Lewis...HA HA HA The same question can be asked of Jordan..What great player did he EVER match up with...the only Player I can come up with is Clyde Drexler who put 30+ points on Jordan on a regular basis..Greatness can only be measured by the level of competition you play against..Shaq matching up against WHACK CENTERS and POWER FORWARDS playing Center DON'T MAKE SHAQ THE GREATEST CENTER EVER..THAT SAID..JORDAN MATCHING UP AGAINST CAKEWALK Competition like Craig Ehlo, Byron Russell, Mark Price, Jeff Hornacec, and the exCBAer crotch dunking in Jordan's face JOHN STARKS DON'T make Jordan the GREATEST PLAYER EVER..Competing against Cakewalk competition only MAKES YOU APPEAR TO BE THE GREATEST EVER...In today's dumbdowned society..APPEARANCES are how you are judged.
5 months ago
You are comparing their careers achievements. That is very unfair since Kobe's career isn't over yet. Lets see what happens now that Kobe has a decent team. Will he continue to dominate WHILE he leads his team to excellence like Jordan did with the bulls. We will see. He definitely has the skills. He just have now to prove that he understands the game as Neo understood the Matrix. Then he will be capable of anything. And he will be better than Jordan, The best ever.
Of cource, while he does that Lebron will grow up and eventually become better than Kobe...or not. We will see.
Botton line: Kobe is the best overall player right now, followed very close by Lebron. He MIGHT become the best ever. He MIGHT be surpassed shortly after by Lebron.
5 months ago
How soon many forget.... Michael Jordan is the greatest of all time period with second in my opinion going to a man I haven't even seen mentioned in Wilt Chamberlain.
5 months ago
You are comparing their careers achievements. That is very unfair since Kobe's career isn't over yet. Lets see what happens now that Kobe has a decent team. Will he continue to dominate WHILE he leads his team to excellence like Jordan did with the bulls. We will see. He definitely has the skills. He just have now to prove that he understands the game as Neo understood the Matrix. Then he will be capable of anything. And he will be better than Jordan, The best ever.
Of cource, while he does that Lebron will grow up and eventually become better than Kobe...or not. We will see.
Botton line: Kobe is the best overall player right now, followed very close by Lebron. He MIGHT become the best ever. He MIGHT be surpassed shortly after by Lebron.
5 months ago
I compared careers up to the same age. Kobe might go on to surpass Jordan, but people stating that Kobe is already the greatest of all time is just wrong.
5 months ago
To those who say that the Jordan era was weaker is just as wrong. the Bulls teams took out the Bad Boy Pistons, Defeated a Laker team that was still lead by a 31 year old Magic Johnson(far from being passed his prime), denied the Patrick Ewing led Knicks of a championship, and took out a team comprised of the greatest power forward of all time and one of the greatest point guards , in the Utah Jazz.
from 2 months ago
Dude...Give me a BREAK..The Pistons were old and Beat up when the Bulls beat them for the first time in YEARS...The 1991 Lakers team had Rookie VLADE DIVAC AT CENTER and James Worthy and Byron Scott were injured during that series..Losing Worthy and Scott is equivalent to The Bulls losing Pippen and Grant..If the shoe was on the other foot and the Bulls lost two of their best players and the Lakers won it would be FOOLISH to say that Lakers did a major Accomplishment in beating the Bulls...Besides the 1986 Lakers with Kareem would EASILY sweep the 1991 Lakers with Divac at center SO SPARE ME WITH ALL OF THE JORDAN HOOPLA...You could brag if Jordan and Pippen COULD beat the Showtime Lakers that had Kareem, Cooper, Rambis, and Pat Riley..the 1991 Lakers team was not CONSIDERED one of the NBA'S Greatest Teams and they were not supposed to be playing in the finals that year..Portland had the NBA's best record that year and Magic Beat them...Magic led his team to the Finals WITHOUT Kareem..JORDAN NEVER EVER LED HIS TEAM TO THE FINALS WITHOUT P-I-P-P-E-N...Pippen was the ANT and Jordan was the GRASSHOPPER...Pippen did all the Dirty Work Guarding the opposing teams Best Players taking pressure off of Jordan making Jordan's Job Easy..Pippen was the one who guarded Magic while Jordan matched up with TONY SMITH another CAKEWALK OPPONENT FOR JORDAN. The Ewing Knicks would've gotten KILLED and RAN OFF THE COURT by Magic, Kareem, and the Showtime Lakers and Again the Knicks were not an NBA ALL TIME GREAT TEAM and the EWING KNICKS Could never EVER beat the Bird Celtics, Dr. J Sixers, Bad Boy Pistons in their PRIMES...The Utah Jazz with Stockton and Malone year in and year out got SWEPT OUT THE PLAYOFFS BY MAGIC AND KAREEM and the only reason the Jazz EVER played in the finals was because Magic and Kareem were no longer in the league...AGAIN..Spare me with your JORDAN HOOPLA..JORDAN NEVER EVER matched against Great Shooting guards nor did ANY of the Bulls teams BEAT ANY ALLTIME GREAT NBA TEAM...SO SPARE ME
5 months ago
How quickly people forget indeed! Go on youtube and lookup hoopsencyclopedia and watch some old Jordan footage, he also includes MJ's stats at the beginning of the clips! For those of us who were there and watched it all (I mean those of us who were not 10 years old when the Bulls won their 1st championship!) know the real deal, kobe can play but comparing him to MJ is silly.
from 2 months ago
That's the problem with you clowns..you were 10 years old and Jordan was maybe the only player you EVER knew about...Clowns like you never watched Kareem Abdul Jabbar in his Prime, Clowns like you never watched Magic in his prime, Clowns like you never saw Dr. J play...if you ever watched Dr.J you would know who Jordan Copied and patterned his career after...Micheal Jordan was the BIGGEST COPYCAT to EVER play in the NBA..Jordan STOLE and COPIED EVERY DUNK and MID-AIR Manuever that DR.J did..When all of you clowns claim that Kobe wants to be Jordan that's FLAT OUT LAUGHABLE because Jordan was a mere CLONE of DR.J...If you clowns EVER saw Kareem the NBA's Alltime Scorer play you would NO WAY IN HELL be telling me that Jordan was Better than Kareem..Kareem matched up with the GREATEST PLAYERS EVER..Wilt Chamberlain, Willis Reed, Nate Thurmond, Hakeem Olajuwan, Dave Cowens, Robert Parish, Moses Malone, Bill Walton, Elvin Hayes, Bill Laimbeer, Bob Laineer...WHO IN THE HELL did Jordan Ever match up with that was GREAT..Let's SEE..Craig Ehlo?..Byron Russell?..John Starks?..Mark Price?..Jeff Hornacek?..how about Tony Smith..or maybe legends like Mitch Richmond....HA HA HA..Jordan never matched up with any ALLTIME NBA GREAT PLAYERS outside of Clyde Drexler..NO ONE JORDAN MATCHED UP WITH WAS AS GREAT or on the level of a Chamberlain, Elvin Hayes, or Hakeem..AGAIN..SPARE ME WITH ALL OF YOUR JORDAN HOOPLA!!
5 months ago
You need to keep in mind that Most of MJ's achievements that you mentioned happened after MJ had turned 29 (championships, finals mvp's etc.)... And how old is Kobe now ? 29..... so the jury is still out... with the Lakers as presently constructed, Kobe-29 yrs, Gasol-26/27 yrs, Bynum 21 yrs, Farmer 21/22 yrs, this core has the ability to have legit runs at titles for the next 6 years.... remember MJ was winning titles at 36.... I can totally see LA winning titles 4 of the next 6 years... esp. with Bynum's improvement...so like I said the jury is still out, and someone above also said it is hard to compare players when ones career is over and another one is just entering his prime...
5 months ago
This is the dumbest article I have ever read. First off, when Kobe is 30 hell have around 1000 more points, but stats are not important when comparing players from different eras. Kobe has a farrrr superior offensive game. He is a much better ball-handler, much better outside shooter and a greater in-game dunker. Jordan held the same athletic abilities, if not more, but he never held Kobe's skills. If you are just gonna ramble off stats you are showing your very very poor journalistic abilities. I can only hope you don't think this will get you far in life.
5 months ago
Its look like you dont know anything about magic johnson. He is the greatest point guard!!!!!!!. He made showtime. He a better play maker than jordan. Jordan it a gread scorer and defensive person. Get your NBA search game up!!!! Kobe will be on the top. He still got along way to go. Your just a statisic guy thats all!!!!!
5 months ago
Here's a link to an interview that Phil Jackson did in L.A. on Monday. He talks about Kobe and MJ. Listen for yourself. It's about ten minutes:
http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/18227/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/18227/podcast/LOSANGELES-CA/KLAC-AM/080225%20Phil%20Jackson.mp3
5 months ago
I hate stupid people like this who used statistic just like that. Number is number but see what behind numbers.
Bryant: 20,883 Pts (24.8Ppg), 4418 Reb(5.3), Ast 3867 (4.6)
Jordan: 21,541 Pts (32.3Ppg), 4219 Reb(6.3), Ast 3539 (5.9)
* Kobe wasn't a starter in the first year .. and he had Shaq as the first option in the team. Jordan was always the first option for Bulls.
Bryant: 10 All Star games, 2 All-Star game MVP, 6 times 1st-team All-Defense team, 5 times 1st-team All-NBA, 2 time scoring champ
Jordan: 9 All-Star games, 1985 Rookie of the Year, 1988 Defensive Player of the year, 3 time MVP, 3 time Finals MVP, 6 times 1st-team All-Defense team, 8 time 1st-team All-NBA, 3 times Most Steals in the league, 7 time scoring champ, 7 time led the league in player efficiency
* Again, Jordan was the first option from the beginning. Jordan never had Kwame Brown, Smush Parker in the line up.
Bryant: Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs, Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavs, Chauncey Billups and the Detroit Rockets
Jordan: Isiah Thomas and the Detroit Pistons, Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics, Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers, Patrick Ewing and the New York Knicks
* Jordan never had to face Magic, Bird and Thomas at the prime time. He won the title after those great players declined and gone. And don't even compare Ewing with Duncan.
Bryant: 596-331, 64.3% winning percentage, 4 finals appearances, 3 titles, missed playoffs once
Jordan: 445-293, 60.3% winning percentage, 3 titles, 1 NCAA championship, 2 Gold Medals in 1984 and 1992 Olympics
* Bryant never went to college, so don't put that NCAA title and Olympics.
5 months ago
who compared michael to magic?
Sure by the time Kobe will end his 30th year, he will have probably have 2000 more points then Jordan did at the same age.
However Jordan played 667 games before the age of 30, kobe will have played close to 900.
ONCE AGAIN, i am comparing both players at the same age. Kobe will probably end up with more points then Jordan, barring any injuries, and just might have won as many titles.
I wrote this article as a response to all those who already claim Kobe as the greatest of all time, and there are many on this site.
5 months ago
Matt, just stop. Put the keyboard down and back away from the computer. Each time you hit a key, somewhere, a baby cries. Your string of articles, and I use the term very, very loosely, have demonstrated one thing: you're a biased hack with no talent. Just accept it and move on.
5 months ago
wow, denied ewing of a championship. like it was a great deal!
5 months ago
Alright let us look at what is behind those quotes:
"* Kobe wasn't a starter in the first year .. and he had Shaq as the first option in the team. Jordan was always the first option for Bulls."
Kobe became a number one scoring option at the age of 21-22, the age Jordan was when he entered the league
"Again, Jordan was the first option from the beginning. Jordan never had Kwame Brown, Smush Parker in the line up."
Ok let us look at some of Jordans teammates at the beginning of his career, David Corzine, Mike Brown, Jack Haley...All-Star caliber players right?
"Jordan never had to face Magic, Bird and Thomas at the prime time. He won the title after those great players declined and gone. And don't even compare Ewing with Duncan."
Magic was still in his prime when the Bulls beat them in 1991, having just finished a season where he averaged 19.4 Ppg, 12.5 Ast and the Lakers had starting 5 which included James Worthy and Byron Scott. Ewing is considered one of the greatest centers of all time, if you are 20 then you probably dont know how good he truly was.
"Bryant never went to college, so don't put that NCAA title and Olympics."
True Kobe went straight to the NBA, a luxury that was not an option in Jordans time. So why discount his accomplishments outside a league that did not draft high school stars.
from 5 months ago
Kobe did not become the number one scoring option until he was 25. At 21 he won his first title. Shaq was the number one option the entire time he was in LA. So out of 11 years He has only had four years as a number one option and he has 20,000+ points? That is amazing! And yes Kobe plays against much better competition. Their were no lebrons, wades, or carmelos back then. Kobe would destroy jordan's comp.
5 months ago
Definition of THEN:
1. subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors); "then he left"; "go left first, then right"; "first came lightning, then ...
2. in that case or as a consequence; "if he didn't take it, then who did?"; "keep it then if you want to"; "the case, then, is closed"; "you've made up your mind then?"; "then you'll be rich"
Definition of THAN:
1. a grammatical particle serving as both conjunction and preposition in the English language. It introduces a comparison, and as such is associated with comparatives, and with words such as more, less, and fewer. Typically, it seeks to measure the force of an adjective or similar description between two predicates.
Ex: A man no mightier than thyself or me. . .
from 5 months ago
Ok ok, i should start using my spell check...
5 months ago
Magic was still in his prime? He announced he was HIV positive 5 months later.
from 5 months ago
He also came back to play in the league 5 years later, HIV made him retire, but didnt take anything from his game...
5 months ago
In all fairness you should only compare jordan's career to kobe's per age, kobe at 30 against jordan just at 30, not jordan's entire career, it is like comparing john stockton to chris paul, yeah john got to the finals a few times, but chris paul is hands down the better player. STATS ARE OVERRATED YOU ESPN WATCHING TOOL!
from 5 months ago
i did, i omitted the 3 championships and 2 MVP and 3 playoff MVPs he won later in his career.
5 months ago
Man Kobe good but not as good to beat Jordan in anything if he did that aint right bra pulse-+ Jordan is a legend for real and Kobe dont deserve nothing in mvp
5 months ago
Kobe became a number one scoring option at the age of 21-22, the age Jordan was when he entered the league
*wrong! Kobe was in the Jordan position as first option and didn't have to share the ball 3 years ago when Shaq left.
Ok let us look at some of Jordans teammates at the beginning of his career, David Corzine, Mike Brown, Jack Haley...All-Star caliber players right?
*who the hell are these players?? (seriously)
Magic was still in his prime when the Bulls beat them in 1991, having just finished a season where he averaged 19.4 Ppg, 12.5 Ast and the Lakers had starting 5 which included James Worthy and Byron Scott. Ewing is considered one of the greatest centers of all time, if you are 20 then you probably dont know how good he truly was.
*Magic, Worthy was already over 30. Their prime time was in 80s. Byron Scott? please.
*I watched Ewing with my own eyes. John Stark and Latrell Sprewell who actually led the Knicks to the finals. One of the greatest? hmm. You are insulting Hakeem, Wilt, Bill, Robinson, Shaq, Kareem, Mikan. Don't believe me? I guess you're good in statistic, so find and compare Ewing's stats with those great centers.
True Kobe went straight to the NBA, a luxury that was not an option in Jordans time. So why discount his accomplishments outside a league that did not draft high school stars.
*what's your point?? I thought it's supposed to be apple to apple?
5 months ago
please do yourself, us, and the world a favour: withstand from writing another article on kobe. it's embarrassing, really. and please, another favour, go back to grade 6 and learn some grammar.
5 months ago
WRITERS!!! CHECK ALL YOUR FACTS BEFORE YOU POST. AND TRY TO STICK TO YOUR EXPERTISE. THERE'S NO WAY THAT THE FIRST FEW COMMENTS FROM READERS SHOULD BE DISCREDITING WHAT YOU'VE WRITTEN...
5 months ago
Who discredited me so far?
I compared numbers and accomplishments Kobe and Jordan have had at the same age.
Worthy was 29 in 1991... Ewing ended his career with close to 25000 pts, 12000 rbs and 3000 blcks, which puts him in O'Neal league as far as stats go....
5 months ago
Time for you idiots to realise that the NBA did not start in 2000...
5 months ago
do you speak english??
5 months ago
Let's talk with your language
O'Neal won 4 title, 1 NBA MVP, 3 Finals MVP, 1 all star MVP, 2 scoring champions.. is that the same league??
come on, you want to talk statistic? go ahead!
For other readers. I don't have problem with Jordan. He and Kobe are great players. They are in the same league with others, Kareem, Magic, Bill, Wilt etc.
I just hate stupid people like this. Writing bunch of nonsense with statistic just for the sake of badmouthing others.
If people say Kobe is the greatest, let them do it! it's just opinion. You also have right to say Jordan is the best. Just don't throw hate like this to Kobe. At least he accomplished something.
5 months ago
"Bryant: Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs, Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavs, Chauncey Billups and the Detroit Rockets"
It's Chauncey Billups and the Detriot Pistons smart one not the Detrot Rockets.
tmike23
5 months ago
DAMN! Do you NEVER learn MATT???? Even after writing two idiotic articles on Kobe, you STILL CONTINUE to write this??? Seriously, I don't even care if you think Jordan is better than Kobe: AT LEAST back it up with better reasoning.
"Stats don't lie"????? For your information, statistics are one of the most deceptive forms of information. If you don't understand that, you need to go get an education. And I mean that literally, as in go back to school and learn about the significance of statistics and how to interpret them.
5 months ago
Ok put stats aside, look at the accomplishments.
5 months ago
This writer is obviously thinking and writing articles on a day-to-day business type of thing, rather than having some bank of knowledge and analysis about basketball already in his head like an expert. Hence his stupid, hasty sequence of articles and silly protests of "SEE! I do have my stats right!" as his defense, and much more inane rhetoric.
5 months ago
Everybody has a right to their opinion, and I have no problem with you exercising yours.
I just think you're beating a dead horse with this subject. What is your ultimate goal with this on-going argument. Are long time Kobe fans going to start second-guessing their loyalty because he may or may not be better than MJ? Who cares, they play the same position, but are totally unique and great while at the same time being two different people.
5 months ago
You see, look at this. A good writer who already thought things through wouldn't need to constantly revise his article and ideas and say things like "Ok, put stats aside" and "Ok, I'll spell check more". In fact, a good writer doesn't constantly use each of his next article as a revision for his previous ones. What does that indicate? Like a poorly rooted plant, you're easily pulled out by people's better and more accurate arguments. Yet you continue to dig yourself into shallow soil. Look, don't feel horrible. Everyone starts off somewhere. Ignore all the irrelevant curse words and insults random people throw at you because these don't reflect who you are (nor do these people know you as a person), but don't ignore the valuable advices and well reasoned aruments. Just think first, keep practicing, and you'll see improvement. Nobody starts off perfect so don't get discouraged.
5 months ago
Kobe ain't Michael Jordan!
LeBron owns Kobe. Kobe fears LeBron.
Kobe will not surpass MJ but LeBron has now surpassed Kobe.
LeBron's only 23 years old, yet he still dominates Kobe every single time.
KOBE BRYANT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5 months ago
Kobe ain't Michael Jordan!
LeBron owns Kobe. Kobe fears LeBron.
Kobe will not surpass MJ but LeBron has now surpassed Kobe.
LeBron's only 23 years old, yet he still dominates Kobe every single time.
KOBE BRYANT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5 months ago
to the anonymous person who said "kobe ain't michael jordan, lebron owns kobe. kobe fears lebron...etc", stop trolling this website. we all know this is all you post in every single website. get a brain instead of posting mindless drivel. only idiots who don't know how to back up their words repeat simple crap over and over again. be man enough to argue for your case instead of putting forth empty claims.
5 months ago
Michael Jordan ain't LeBron!
LeBron owns Michael Jordan. LeBron fears Kobe.
Kobe will not surpass MJ but MJ has now surpassed Lebron.
MJ's only 44 years old, yet he still dominates Kobe every single time.
LEBRON SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
from 5 months ago
I spent a good five minutes laughing about his one. This is by far the funniest comment that I have ever read on Bleaher Report.
5 months ago
^^^ You're an idiot
5 months ago
the guy didnt make sense about lebron being better the MJ one of the greatest players of all time probably the best of all time
5 months ago
I dont understand all the stat comparisons... why doesnt anyone ever compare playoff stats??? Thats what MJ is know for the most... his career playoff #'s are the sickest ever!!!! They will be never matched!!!
5 months ago
you wrote absolutely stupid articles with no bearing on anything...No one even mentioned the Kobe MJ comparison, and just because Kobe is leading the MVP race does not validate a comparison. It's articles like these that make me wonder if internet publication is such a great idea.
5 months ago
Matt I'm waiting for your next article on Kobe Bryant or one that involves Bryant. Just reading that comments that you get brings hours of laughter for me. Keep up the good work.
5 months ago
Much better article about this issue here:
http://www.sportshubla.com/2008/02/28/the-evolution-of-the-los-angeles-lakers-kobe-bryant-how-a-leader-was-born/
5 months ago
Just watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TC-kKQMue4g
5 months ago
I think the article is fair. It's pure math. However, the comparison will gain more logic when this season is over. if kobe wins a title by the end of the season, he would have won 4 titles, one better than Michael at the same age. The gap will narrow a bit then. On an individual level, jordan is way superior in terms of scoring and defending. But on a skill level, kobe has the upper hand in terms of ball-handling and three point shooting. The two have different ways of attacking the basket. In terms of athleticism, Kobe at 29 has the playing rythm of a slowed down 35 year old jordan ( 1998). He is just no match to the 80's and early 90's Mike. Mj's speed and explosiveness were just unreal back then. Plus, the grace he injected into the game made watching him a very special experience. Kobe is a lot similar in that respect, but it seems that he is less aerial, just a tad less satyisfying in terms of sheer game beauty. personally, i feel blessed kobe plays at the level he's playing in right now. I thought it would be a long, very long while until we'd come across someone remotely close to MJ. Let's just enjoy the black mamba
5 months ago
to the person above who said this article is fair: are you crazy? not only that, "it's pure math"???? to enlighten you, simply comparing numbers is NOT pure math.
5 months ago
what is it then ?
5 months ago
As an avid LAL fan since 96 (Nick the Quick #9 for life!!)...and a KB24, KB8, KB-whatever-the-hell-the-next-number-he-wants-to-be supporter even through all the emotional tantrums he's thrown...I will concede to the fact that KB is indeed not the G.O.A.T. At least not yet.
I recall watching Jordan when i was younger, and man and i will say for one thing that Jordan's presence and decision making, from my perspective, was and is superior than Kobe's (up to this point). No one can discount the competitive fires that burn within both players, but Jordan's will to win AND his execution were uncanny. I mean the man averaged an above 50% FG percentage for christ's sake. And as one of my favorite quotes put it, "He won 6 rings with Scottie Pippen and some guys from the local rec/gym."
Plus that and props to the man for wanting to represent his country and win gold medals in the Olympics twice. Kobe has yet to do that.
Also, let's not forget that Jordan was not only the scoring champion during several of his championship years, but he was also the best defender and the leader in the league in steals for some seasons as well. I can't imagine Kobe ever becoming the season steals leader. Jordan revolutionized the game and no one can deny that. Every hyped up G.O.A.T. candidate from each era of basketball totally changed the way the game was played: Dr. J invented the slam dunk, "Larry Legend" redefined offense from the perimeter, Magic made passing lanes appear out of thin air...and then Mr. Michael "Air" Jordan, was the first to combine all that, with play above the rim, tenacious effort on the defensive end as well as offense, an incorrigable competitive spirit, and a demand for perfection of himself as well as those around him.
Maybe in due time, KB24 will prove his league dominance. Kobe still has much to prove, but only needs to prove it to nobody but himself and his team. After that, and after a ring or two, will he be considered greater than his Airness. Up to this point he has only shown glimpses. At the moment, the most he's down is finally shed the Jordan cape that people constantly drape over him. Next Jordan? Probably not. He has finally stopped trying to emulate Jordan. One thing is for sure though, this is his season to make or break. And after this season is through we will finally get to the chance to forget the Jordan Imitator, and get to know the real Kobe Bryant.
5 months ago
"what is it then?" i thought you'd be able to answer that yourself. it's a simple answer: NOTHING.
5 months ago
R2: i agree with most you say except for 2 points
1) mike did not revolutionize the game. he adopted and emulated his predecessors' styles and made it look great. becoming one of the most marketable stars in the history of the nba definitely didn't hurt that supposed "revolutionizing" image either. mike said himself that he modeled his game after dr. j, just like kobe modeled his after jordan's.
2) jordan did not lead just a "scottie pippen and some guys from the local gym". scottie pippen is not some nobody: he is one of the best second fiddle in history, both offensively AND defensively. furthermore, these "some guys from the local gym" were 3-pointer experts, a rebounding/defensive king (with 2 championship rings already before joining mike), and an above average center who could at least maintain his position. you can't simply discount the immense help jordan had. these same players won more than 50 games the season jordan retired AND would have made it to the eastern conference finals (and maybe even the finals) that season if not for some questionable referee decisions. these are clearly first-rate team mates.
5 months ago
Matt Homidis, you are a highly controversial individual.
5 months ago
yeah,this is all what this is about controversy. we KNOW mj is better NOW than kobe,but the way you put your argument,there is an obvious bias of yours against kobe. wait..was the whore kobe allegedly raped your sister?
5 months ago
just sad.plain pathetic. I seriously hope you're not getting paid for your "gig". Seriously, all your piece of writings are all pieces of shit. And I think that is already a consensus.
from 5 months ago
i would be surprised if you are interested in the Montreal Canadiens goalie controversy buddy... dont like my Kobe stuff thats ok, your opinion and that of many...
5 months ago
Kobe's not even 30 yrs old yet, after the season he will have a good 22,000 points, quicker then MJ, not to mention he was a bench player his first 3 years.. Shut up, you know nothing. Stats is not what its about.. Its about winning and Kobe's won more. He's the same, if not better offensively. He's smarter at this age then what Jordan was at this age. He's Jordan in his prime right now, and Kobe is still gonna get a little better and smarter.
5 months ago
Magic was passed his prime when he faced Jordan. The man had HIV and a beaten up Laker Team.
Magic in his prime would have killed Jordan
5 months ago
Until Kobe wins 6 rings without a big name Center, then MJ will always be the best.
5 months ago
He stinkin put Chauncey Billups and the Detrot Rockets. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. wat a sucker.
5 months ago
MJ didnt need a center. He had SCOTTIE PIPPEN SMARTS. At the time there weren't any good centers in the league. The league is finally evolving into a big man's game.
tmike23
from 5 months ago
Are you kidding me? "At the time there weren't any good centers in the league"
Hakeem, Ewing, David Robinson, Mourning, Mutumbo, Shaq.
You must be a minor to say something that dumb. Some of the best centers played in MJ's era, he just never had to face a dominant center in the NBA Finals.
5 months ago
Well, to the guy directly in front of me, during MJ's reign, we did have Shaq, Ewing, Olajuwon, and David Robinson, all future HoFers.
And MJ did play in a great era. Throughout the 90's, we had the latter-stages of Showtime, the Drexler Blazers, Barkley's Suns, Mark Price's Cavs, the Ewing/Riley Knicks. That was during the first three-peat, which was probably the hardest.
Then, during the second three-peat, we had the Shaq/Penny Magic, the Ewing/Van Gundy Knicks, Reggie's Pacers, the Zo/Tim Heat. And out West we had the loaded Shaq Lakers, the Payton/Kemp Sonics, the old but still formidable Drexler/Dream/Chuck Rockets, the Malone/Stockton Jazz. It was easier then but still formidable.
And prior to this year, I think you could make the argument that during the majority of Kobe's career, the NBA hasn't been as strong. Yeah, it's loaded with great teams now (like, 12 that could legitimately say they have at least a puncher's chance to win the title when healthy) but it's just now starting to get that way.
5 months ago
Kobe hasn't had the types of advantages that MJ has had:
MJ played 3 years at North Carolina under Dean Smith.
Kobe came to the NBA drafted straight out of high school, at a time it was rare to do so. He played three years under 'Dull' Harris.
MJ started right away at Chicago, who would start molding a team around him and make him the centerpoint of it.
Kobe had to endure 3 years of riding the pine. He was sat for much of his rookie year even though even at his young age he had shown promise of being a better player than Eddie Jones. Kobe started getting a chance to play more into his second season, but it wasn't until the Lakers traded Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel did he actually get a chance to start. Amazingly in his second year he was an all-star starter even though he was still coming off the bench for the Lakers.
By MJ's second season, the Bulls already had Pippen, Horace Grant, Charles Oakely and John Paxson. They were already running most plays for MJ, and kept picking up pieces to place around him.
The Lakers molded their team around Shaq, and he called most the shots (calling for players like Eddie Jones, Nick Van Exel and Elden Campbell to be traded and dictating that he wanted the offense to revolve around him). It wasn't until Kobe's 5th year that Phil Jackson finally arrived, and he immediately implemented the Triangle Offense calling for Shaq to be fed the ball on most possessions.
I could keep on going, but it is easy to see how MJ had an infinitely better set of circumstances around him than Kobe did...
from 5 months ago
Actually, Horace and Scottie didnt play with the bulls till his 4th year, and werent starters till his 5th.
5 months ago
Matt: why are you raising such trivial points as objections? They don't amount to anything except for caviling and just makes you look desperate. All it does is further prove Jordan couldn't do anything either without good players helping him. Jordan for the first 5 years was Kobe the last few years: barely keeping their teams afloat as playoff hopefuls with their superior skills while at the same time amassing impressive statistical achievements.
5 months ago
yeah thats true. I got mixed up, meant to say after his three years they got those players to put around MJ, while Kobe spent his first three years being sat by Dull Harris.
5 months ago
Look if you traded careers, put MJ in Kobe's spot and Kobe in MJ's spot you'd probably find that Kobe would have done better than MJ in Chicago, while MJ would have done worse playing second-fiddle to a Shaq dominated Lakers team. Why? Kobe is a better shooter, better at breaking down his opponent, equal to MJ in defense as well as having the same type of killer instinct and will-to-win.
Kobe had to get his numbers as the SECOND OPTION!!!!!!! MJ was the first option, and the Bulls were tailored around him, pieces put into place to accomodate him. KOBE NEVER HAD THAT LUXURY!!!!!
5 months ago
How can you guys forget the player Jordan was? This is just crazy!!!!
Jordan was a much beter shooter then Kobe will ever be, averaging over 50% for most of his career...
Kobe was second fiddle in the playoffs, but apart from his first year starting, he was option 1A in the offence, as O'Neal played less and less an importance in the regular season offence as injuries and age caught up to him.
Jordan also never missed the playoffs until his arrival in Washington at the age of 38...
Seriously guys, Kobe Bryant might one day achieve the same mythic height as Jordan is in, but please until he does, give Michael his props....He is the best this league has seen up to this day, no contest.
Kobe is the best of his generation, no doubt. Just as LeBron will surely take over from him one day.
But both those players are years away from any consideration as the best players of all time.
from 5 months ago
Well said Matt, these youngsters here are very forgetful and seem to ignore the fact that MJ shot around 50% for his career!
5 months ago
MATT!!!!! PLEASE STOP!!!!!! PLEASE STOP EMBARRASSING YOURSELF!!!!!!!!
1) Jordan the better shooter than Kobe? ARE YOU THAT IGNORANT??? Kobe has much more range and shot versatility than Jordan. If you don't believe me, ask Phil Jackson yourself, who personally gave that assessment.
2) Kobe was NOT option 1A until his 3rd season. Despite Kobe's clear superiority, Jones and Van Exel were one the Lakers primary scorers along with Shaq as THE main focus. Kobe didn't even start for 2 seasons.
furthermore, i quote you: "as O'Neal played less and less an importance in the regular season offence as injuries and age caught up to him" are you stupid???? we're talking about Kobe's first several seasons as a laker- how in the world is this when shaq was declining??? this was one of shaq's MOST DOMINANT years you freaking idiot. Kobe didn't become the primary offensive focal point until shaq left, which was when soon after he started to decline.
3) The only time kobe missed the playoffs is the year after shaq left, and both you and i know that the pieces left that kobe had to work with was infinitely inferior to what jordan had when he first came into the league.
4) seriously Matt, if you're at least going to argue for why kobe is not as good as jordan, MAKE A GOOD ARGUMENT!!!!!!!!!! has ANYTHING gone through your head these past couple of days? i guess not: intelligence can't be taught as you have proved.
from 5 months ago
Though not a great 3 point shooter at the beginning of his career, he finished his career regarded as a decent shooter beyond the arc. Having numbers similar to Bryants.
I never said Kobe was starting in his first year, but starting the second year as a starter he averaged more points then Shaq over the rest of the time spent together.
Unless you are 15 years old and didnt witness it, saying Jordan had a good squad the first 5 years of his career is just stupid, he carried his team on his own during those years and made the playoffs.
5 months ago
like i said, please stop:
everyone knows jordan was a great shooter. no one's disputing that. what phil jackson and tex winter said was that kobe is better in that respect.
that's the point everyone is trying to get through your head: kobe was able to average impressive numbers EVEN WHEN the offense was solely designed around shaq (who at that time, contrary to what you said, was not even in his declining state). what everyone's been telling you is that had kobe been a starter since his rookie year like jordan, lebron, and durant were, kobe would most certainly be the fastest to reach any point-milestone.
when did i say jordan had a good squad????? i said the team that was left after shaq went to miami was nothing but scraps, full of new players who had no idea how to play in a new team system guided by a new coach; i simply said that what jordan had was infinitely better than this condition kobe had to endure. you do know the meaning of relative comparison versus absolute characterization, right?
no, i'm not 15. i saw jordan play from the very beginning of his career. but by what you have been writing, you definitely come across as having the intellect of a 15 year old.
5 months ago
dude, don't let the peeps get you down, keep writing about the stuff that you care about. you wrote an opinion piece that the Bryant lovers will never listen to and the Jordan lovers don't need convincing. that sort of piece will always get strong reactions and usually the strongest, loudest, and most numerous reactions will be from the dissenters.
however, in your list of opponents for Jordan there is one thing I think was overlooked. There was a time Clyde Drexler was talked about as being almost on a par with Jordan...nobody ever though Drexler was ACTUALLY as good but he was in the conversation of top 3 players in the league. He had a talented, talented team around him with All-Stars in Kevin Duckworth and Terry Porter, former All-Star Buck Williams, future All-Star Cliff Robinson and the motor of the team, Jerome Kersey...and Jordan was the difference in a Blazer Championship and the destruction that the Bulls wreaked on Portland. Even in an era where Drexler had a couple years where his stats were in the neighborhood of Jordans when the money games were on the line Jordan was simply that much better than any other 5 players. Until Bryant can carry a team as out-talented as the Bulls often were to dominating title wins he is nowhere near the level of Jordan. The Bryant touts are primarily the people who forget what went on before they started watching.