There was a time that I was an avid NBA fan. I loved it, especially when the playoffs rolled around. This was when the games mattered most, and the players left everything they had on the court.
When I grew up I had the chance to watch the greatest player to come out of the Atlantic Coast Conference and his name was not Jordan. This guy was better than Jordan in college and might have been better than Jordan as a pro. His name was Len Bias.
Len Bias did things on the court that I have never seen before. I remember seeing him score 6 points in less than 5 seconds to tie a game against North Carolina. One coast to coast and two stolen inbounds passes later, the Terps sent it to overtime. Then Lenny died. A tragedy, not really because he created it. A waste of talent, definitely.
So I started following the career of the skinny guard from North Carolina. I watched him turn into an NBA scoring machine his first few years in the league. He would score, the team would lose. He would lead the league, the team would lose. He would win slam dunk contests and the team would lose.
Enter Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, BJ Armstrong, John Paxon, Bill Cartwright and of course Phil Jackson.
Then Michael grew up, and grow up he did.
He realized that to win, he needed a team. He was beyond a doubt the best player of his generation. Magic Johnson passed the reigns to him in the NBA finals. Using the Triangle offense, the Bulls rattled off three straight NBA Championships from 1991 - 1993 with the help of Jordan's leadership.
Then Michael's father was murdered and he retired from the NBA.
When Michael returned to the Bulls in 1995 it was a team with a different look. Pippen was still there, but the rest had departed. They were replaced by Rodman, Kerr, Kukoc, Harper, and Longley. Phil Jackson still coached the Bulls.
The Bulls went on to another three-peat, Michael won MVP Finals MVP awards 4, 5, and 6. His legacy was solidified. Gone was Air Jordan, the high flying, hand changing, tongue hanging player of old. Now he used his smarts. Developed a deadly fade away jumper, and he dominated just the same.
I used to joke that the Bulls has a formula to winning. Michael Jordan, the best all-around player in the game (Pippen), the good re-bounder (Grant and Rodman), the sub par center (Longley and Cartwright), and the white boy who could shoot three pointers (Paxon and Kerr).
Then he retired.
Then the NBA lockout.
I lost interest when they showed me they had no interest in settling quickly. Weeks would go by and nothing would be heard except they may meet next month. So I said heck with them and stopped watching, focusing instead on college basketball. At least they played like they still loved the game. Even Michael's comeback with my (almost) home team Wizards could not bring me back. It just wasn't right, Michael was a Bull.
I remembered watching another skinny kid from Philly once or twice around that time and quickly realized he had game. He was a high flying scoring machine like Michael was in his early days. I used to say this kid could be the torch bearer when Michael finally retires for good if he would get the mental part of the game down.
His name was Kobe Bryant.
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6 months ago
You are so right. It is just extremely hard to compare any sports person to Michael Jordan. He was not a player but an idea or aspiration within us all. The hope that we could be winners and overcome any obstacle in life. When we saw Jordan hit the jumper against Utah over Bryan Russell it was a spiritual, mystical experience. All doubts that many of us might have had as to whether human beings actually had such will power, were answered.
In comes Kobe Bryant, almost a mental replica of Michael Jordan. In terms of skill and capacity, I believe he is the equal of Jordan, but whether he reaches mystical proportions as Michael did, is yet to be seen.
I always tell my friends, that if they ever want to see Michael Jordan play again, just watch Kobe Bryant. He is the reincarnation. Many players wanted to be Mike, but Kobe actually became Mike. If Kobe can become Mike off the court as well now, he will be remembered as "The Best of All Time", a title that MJ seems to hold in modern day.
Some people who criticize Kobe for taking Michaels moves don't realize that Michael took Julius Ervings moves as well. One must be learn from a Master in order to become a Master himself one day. Kobe has achieved this feat as MJ did before him.
6 months ago
Kobe will never be the face of the NBA like Jordan is and was. His wreckage of his past will follow him into retirement, and no matter how nice he tries to act now, he cannot erase history. For the pubilc, perception is reality. He cannot erase history by trying to write a different story in present tense.
from 6 months ago
Mike, I disagree with you, if Peter the one whom fought against the good of the Master could be forgiven, could not Kobe, be forgiven?
In the next three years you will have millions of new NBA fans and also by that time millions of the existing fans would have gone from labor to reward, what I am saying is that in three years Kobe's past will be forgotten and behind him.
Will there be forgiveness for George Bush? I hope!
6 months ago
You are right about Michael being better than Kobe right now, but what would you say if Kobe ended up with 7 championships which is possible with the roster he has. Would you say he is better than Jordan then? I truly think he is going to win 4-5 more rings and 3-4 more MVPs. He will also end up with more All Star appearances, points, all NBA teams and All Defensive teams.
6 months ago
Nice article Mike. I just recently wrote an article offering a different take, where I stated that Kobe was closing in on Jordan. As a 17 year old, I was only able to see Jordan in his last 2 championship seasons, but even at my young age, I realized that he was simply dazzling.
There is a certain aura that surrounds greatness in all sports. A certain mystique that surrounds the best of the best. An uncanny ability to do what no others can do.
Of my 10+ years watching professional basketball, only 2 players have showed me this on a consistent basis. Kobe and Michael.
LeBron is a great player as well. And his performance 2 years ago against Detroit was spectacular. But until he can show me he can do it on a consistent basis, he is a couple notches below the likes of Kobe and Michael.
Like you said, MJ is MJ. But we need to appreciate what Kobe is doing. Jordan is better, but I think Kobe is a better pure scorer than MJ. But forget the comparisons. I just love watching these guys play.
6 months ago
Kobe is a player people won't fully appreciate until he is gone. You don't have to "be like Mike" to be a truly special player and talent. I hate the comparison because they weren't given the same palette. Kobe did just as well with what God gave him as Jordan did, maybe even better. He just wasn't blessed with the type of God-given quickness, explosiveness and those large mits that Jordan had. For that reason, I can't see Kobe ever actually being better than Jordan. He just can't take that nasty first step right past a defender, gather himself, leap 45 inches in the air, take contact from a defender, hang in the air for about 9.5 seconds, hold the ball away from the defender with one of his goliath hands, and finish the play. Kobe just doesn't have those physical attributes.
There isn't a thing in the world that Kobe can't do on the basketball court. He is a legend. Jordan doesn't need to enter the conversation, but he probably always will.
from 6 months ago
John, with all due respect, just because Michael has big hands and could control the ball in the air better than Kobe, does not make him a better player. Lets look at some basics:
Ball Handling - Edge Kobe
Jump Shot = Edge Kobe by a far margin
3 point - not even close edge Kobe
Passing - Equal
Rebounding - Edge Michael
Low Post - Edge Michael
Permiter - Edge Kobe
Lateral quickness - Edge Kobe
Leaping ability - Edge Michael
Dunking - Edge Michael
Speed - Edge Kobe
Unbelievable shots - I know from highlights that it seems like Michael had a ton, but Ive watched every Laker game for about 10 years and Kobe pulls off at least two a game. Jaw dropping moments.
Closer - Slight edge Michael
All in all, I think they are equal, the greatest players of their generations. Micheal had more althelitisim, but Kobe has better basketball skills.
6 months ago
Wade,
I really liked your breakdown. It's fascinating analyzing it that way. The one thing about Kobe that I never saw while I watched Michael was this apparent desire to annihilate his opponents. Jordan liked the competition and he was more of a flow and rhythm player than Kobe. Watching Kobe is liking watching a warrior charging into his enemy with a sword ready to chop him into pieces. It a mental thing and I believe that is how he sees it also. Jordan was more art, fluidity, and determination on display while Kobe is like a Samurai looking to draw blood with his strike. I guess he has an appropriate nickname in the Black Mamba. He is deadly.
from 6 months ago
I completely agree that Kobe appears to want to annihilate his opponents. Whenever he is on the court he is a cold-blooded assassin.
Here's my one question. Why does Kobe need to be compared to Michael? Like Mike Zoran said Kobe is Kobe and Michael was Michael. Why does that ever need to go any further? Sometimes I think people spend too much time trying to find the next Michael that they fail to notice and enjoy the players playing right in front of them. Because they don't have that "off the court appeal" that "face of the league appeal" they're not Michael so they are suddenly downgraded in quality? I know, even regardless of what happens basketballwise for the rest of Kobe's career I will remember him as a tremendous player, an unstoppable player who played at a superstar level and could raise his play even higher if needed and above all a legend.
I don't want another Michael, there probably isn't a player with that combination of skill, clutch and charisma that will ever come along.
Kobe isn't even 30 yet, can we put this debate on hold for ten years and then compare both of their careers in their entirety? Maybe Kobe ends up with more stats, more rings and more awards, then we can truly say, "Who was better Michael or Kobe?". Right now the greatest player in NBA history is Michael Jordan, maybe in 10 years there will be a 1 and a 1a.
from 6 months ago
You know I never really looked at it that way. But you are right, Michael wanted to win. He played to win and took it to whoever got in his way. He could take over a game with that desire.
But Kobe isn't satisfied with winning, he wants them to "Remember the night they played the Titans"
6 months ago
Great analysis of two of the greatest offensive and defensive players to ever play the game of basketball, no offense to Magic Johnson,whom was and will always be my hero,he made everyone around him play at another level,higher!
Kobe, will emerge as the greatest player ever if he continues on the course that he is on, he does not need to score more, he does not need to be more defensive, nor does he need more all star appearances, all he need to continue to make his teambetter by getting everyone involved and he will win more MVP awards than anyone before and after him.
For now however, I must agree, MJ is still on the throne as the king of the NBA, Magic is in a class all by himself, he is simply incomparable!
Great story, keep it up.
from 6 months ago
Magic IS in a class by himslef. Magic had the ability to do whatever he had to do on any given night to win. 15 rebounds, 30 points, 10 steals, whatever. Whatever was needed he could do
6 months ago
Thank you all for the comments. I pretty much agree with all. It is unfair to compare Kobe to Michael. They are two different players in two different eras. Unfortinately I view this era as the "me" era and Kobe sometimes has played into that. He has the physical ability to be the greatest ever. Now that he appears to finally showing the maturity as a player, maybe he will be able to overcome what has happened bin the past
6 months ago
Just a couple reminders about MJ for all of us... I don't believe a basketball players greatness should be judged by attributes like ballhandling, but rather over their entire career by personal and team achievements on the court and especially during the playoffs, when victory and glory are on the line.
Kobe is great ( I have a 1000$ bet on the lakers in 08), but Michael Jordan is in a class of his own and likely will always be.
Michael Jordan
- 6 NBA Finals appearances.
- 6 NBA Championship rings.
- 6 NBA Finals MVPs.
- 5 NBA MVPs.
- 2-time defensive player of the year.
- 2-time slam dunk champion.
- 9 times NBA Defensive first team
- Led Team to greatest regular season record (72-10) & greatest post season record (87-13)
- Only player ever to be MVP, Defensive MVP, and win the Scoring Title, in the same season.
- Career playoff avgs 33 ppg, 6 assists, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and about a block a game.
- 14 out 15 years selected an Allstar. (first year with washington was only year he wasn't )
- 2nd all time steals
- Most blocked shots in a career by a guard (893).
This small list doesn't even come close to doing Jordan justice, but its a start. I hope you research more and see for yourself why its so hard to imagine anyone being on Jordans level ever. Jordan is the king and will always be.
from 6 months ago
Thanks Derek, I actually went into deep thought mode to determine what stats I threw in there. But you are right, as Majic said in the quote I used "There is Michael, and there is the rest of us"
from 6 months ago
That last sentence rings so true. Kobe wins one MVP, leads his team to the finals for the first time as the head leader (shaq did the first 3 times), and comparisons come flying to MJ?
Michael had 5 MVPs, led his team as the head leader 6 times, 6 finals MVPS, of which Kobe doesn't even have one.
God forbid Kobe win the finals MVP trophy, the "prisoners of the moment" will all be saying Michael who?
What a joke.
Like Magic said, there's Michael, and then there's the rest of us.
from 6 months ago
That last sentence rings so true. Kobe wins one MVP, leads his team to the finals for the first time as the head leader (shaq did the first 3 times), and comparisons come flying to MJ? Michael had 5 MVPs, led his team as the head leader 6 times, 6 finals MVPS, of which Kobe doesn't even have one. God forbid Kobe win the finals MVP trophy, the "prisoners of the moment" will all be saying Michael who? What a joke. Like Magic said, there's Michael, and then there's the rest of us.
6 months ago
Man my typing is horrendous...Magic
6 months ago
I am going to show you why Kobe is NOT THE Best and the all time greats from many diff eras know it to.
these are direct quotes from past and present players on who is the greatest, and all of them know its Michael. when your peers shift and talk about Kobe this way then we have a ballgame.
Elgin Baylor
“Not only do I admire Jordan’s accomplishments and his phenomenal basketball ability, but also the way he has conducted himself on and off the court. I don’t think there will ever be another player to have the same impact on the game of basketball as Michael Jordan. If you look up the definition of greatness in the dictionary, it will say Michael Jordan.”
Dave Bing
“Michael is the most talented player I’ve ever seen. Wilt was the most dominating, but Michael has the most talent in every aspect of the game, even defense. “He’s the best ever because of his combination of skills, his competitiveness. Russell, Wilt, Kareem dominated because of their size, but they didn’t have Michael’s skills.”
Larry Bird “he is god disguised as Michael Jordan”
Bob Cousy
“He’s by far the best since Naismith hung up the basket. He touches every base. He could play three, maybe four positions and maybe even center, too. He has no discernible weakness. The keys to basketball, despite the emphasis on big men, is still speed and quickness. He has them in abundance. When I jumped as high as I could, I got to the bottom of the net. When he jumps as high as he can, he’s over the backboard. He’s the best, without question.”
Billy Cunningham
“I think he was the best ever. The whole package. He’s scary sometimes with his defense. The passion he had amazes me. At a certain age, it’s more difficult to get up for a game. A big game, sure, it’s easy. But he did it for every game. How did he do it? To motivate himself at a level to perform. There’s no burnout there. It’s something within himself. If I had to play him, I’d pray a lot.”
Patrick Ewing
“All I can speak for is people in my era, and from what I’ve seen, he’s definitely the greatest. Unfortunately, I didn’t have an opportunity to see Bill, Wilt or Oscar or some of the other guys. But based upon what I’ve seen, definitely.
Magic Johnson
“He’s an icon, a one-man show. He’s won one more championship than I did. He’ll be rubbing it in my face for eternity. I was hoping he would stay just one more year to help these young NBA players learn how to be a true professional.”
Sam Jones
“I don’t know if he knows how good he is. He’s tremendous. I’ve never seen anything like him. He’s only 6-6. That’s amazing. You seldom see a person that size do those things. He’s so creative and to be able to take over a game at that size, it’s amazing. Oscar and West were the best, but there’s no other version of Jordan, the hang time, how high he jumps, how quick he moves. The guy amazes me. … He’s the best I’ve ever seen.”
Jerry Lucas
“He’s been probably the most important player in the history of the game as far as its success, popularity and growth. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird provided a lift when the game needed it. Michael took it to another level and brought more and more fans. “He’s the greatest player who ever lived, a unique attraction. He’s such a competitor. He forced the players around him to play at a higher level. He’s a competitor. That describes a special player. When the sport loses him, it’s like losing Babe Ruth in baseball. I’ve never seen a player who can do what he did.”
George Mikan
“He’s the one and only Michael Jordan. He does everything well. He’s great offensively and defensively. What else would you want a guy to do? When you see a guy scoring 40 points every time … and he plays more with his head today. He doesn’t rely on instinct anymore. He’s always in the right place.”
Shaquille O’Neal
“Michael’s definitely the best basketball player of all time. He’s the greatest offensive weapon to ever play, and probably the best defensive player we’ve ever seen.”
Bill Russell
“I cannot imagine anyone playing any better.”
Dolph Schayes
“Michael’s had the greatest impact on the NBA than any player in history. He was the greatest competitor who came through when asked. He rarely had a bad game. You’d expect 10 percent of the time that he would not do well. He beat those odds. “He’ll surely be missed the first year or two out. He sold out buildings because people want to see him. He got a lot of people who were not fans watching the game. There’s nobody on the horizon to take his place, not Grant Hill and not Kobe Bryant. He’s the player of the century.”
Bill Sharman
“Michael Jordan is the greatest all-around basketball performer of all time. … I don’t believe Michael was the greatest shooter or the greatest dribbler or passer or the greatest defensive player, etc. However, I believe he could do all these things better than anyone else who ever played in the NBA.”
Isiah Thomas
“From all the players I have seen and played against, he’s definitely the best player ever. A lot of people like to argue this guy was better or this guy was better. But every player you think of there was some weaknesses and deficiencies in their game. He has the complete package in all facets of his offensive game, and when you break him down defensively, he’s also the best defensive player in the game. … He should be remembered as the greatest of all time.”
Nate Thurmond
“He’s the greatest that ever touched a basketball, that ever lived, any way you want to put it and without a doubt. I hope I’m alive when there will be an argument of who is another player who comes along who’s as good. I hope I’m around to see this guy.”
Bill Walton
“He has no peers but Michael Jordan. He competes against himself. That’s the level he’s taken it to.”
Jerry West
“I have to think he’s the greatest player ever. Not because of his ability to score, but because of his total game. To me he’s the best offensive player and the best defensive player in the league for a number of years. To be the defensive player of the year with all the other things he had to do, to me, he’s a marvel. He has separated himself from the rest of the good players as far as I’m concerned. He’s the modern day Babe Ruth.”
Lenny Wilkens
“He became the greatest. I won’t say he was when he first started, but he developed into, I think, the greatest player who ever played basketball. I think he combined all of it, the athleticism with the skill. And every year he improved his skill. And also the mental toughness it takes to come out night in and night out and deliver your best performance. … You know I’ve seen a lot of great players, but never one who could dominate a game like Michael could.”
need I say more. Just look at some of the names on this list and tell me you want to argue that MJ is not the Greatest.
6 months ago
Honestly, I think "greatness" is an arbitrary word which is relative. Some would argue that the greatest player should be one that cannot be guarded one on one under an circumstances. Well, Kobe and Jordan both needed double teams but no one needed to be doubled like Shaq. Shaq circa 2001 is the most dominant player basketball has ever seen. Not Jordan, not Kobe, not Chamberlain or Russell could compete against Shaq in his prime.
So I would say that the best basketball player of all time should be the most dominant also. That would be Shaq.
Now if the discussion hinged on who was the best SG ever, then I would say this is a good discussion. Who would I rather have as my starting shooting guard? It's like picking between gold and platinum. I'm happy to have that kind of choice. hehe
6 months ago
Please, yes Shaq was dominating for a few years. When he first came into the league it was a joke how easy it was for the good centers (David Robinson, Hakeem, etc) to get him to foul out.
Don't even talk to me about his free throwing. Shaq was dominating because of his size, and he had some skills to go with it. But to think about entering his name into the hat for greatest ever is ludicrous.
I will go on to say that this article was not intended to start the debate on greatest ever, someone from the 80's will say Magic/Bird/?, 90's Michael J, etc... Greatest is definitelt arbitrary like you said.
This article was reallt intended to shut the Michael/Kobe comparisons up. Michael kept the NBA alive after Magic/Bird left. Kobe had the chance to become that face as well, but has just now showed signs of growing into that type of player. He is young and has more years to go.
Like one commenter said, save this debate for 10 years from now. For now, let Kobe be Kobe
Kobe is a great player. Michael was a great player. But right now I would have to say Michael was the better leader. He challenged his teamates to win. Some call the ways he did it arrogant, selfish, looking down at them, whatever. But when on the court, there was no doubt who was in charge.
6 months ago
for years people have been talking about the next mj... but there will never be another mj.... however one thing in kobes favor is he still gets that comparison... that alone speaks of his greatness...and let me be the first to say there will never be another KOBE!!!! I just feel blessed to say ive seen them both play!!!!
6 months ago
Dear kobe Bryant why would people compare you to micheal you have to totaly different stratagies cause micheal didn't like to shoot 3s and you do some times. I don't think people cause you have a lot time left in your career but i think you and micheal both have your days. people should compare you to majic and larry bird and wilt chamberlin your my favorit player but micheal a little more experiece than you .
From Andrew Jones ps good luke at the finles and i am 9 years old
from 6 months ago
Thank you for the comment Andrew.
6 months ago
Thank you for getting it right, when Kobe's career is over, we can truly compare, we'll have to wait and see.
On another sportswriter's column, he quoted Phil Jackson saying Kobe "might" be better than MJ, Jeff van Gundy on espn reported, the sportswriter said "He has greater shooting range than Jordan, is just as tenacious on the defensive end, and may be every bit as lethal in the clutch."
To which I replied:
Greater shooting range? Michael was great at shooting threes, as evidence in the 92 finals vs the blazers. Granted, his shooting range gradually declined, but in his prime, his range was as good as or better than Kobe's.
Just as tenacious on the defensive end? Michael won the defensive player of the year when he was 25 years old, Kobe's 29, hasn't won one yet. Not to mention the fact that Michael honed his defensive skills under Dean Smith at UNC, his fundamentals were the most sound.
Every bit as lethal in the clutch? Jordan left the NCAA on a national championship winning shot, and left the Bulls on a championship winning shot in the 98 finals vs the Jazz. Not to mention winning game 1 of the 97 finals on a game winning shot. Kobe hasn't won any game of any finals (the biggest stage) on a game winning shot, much less a championship winning shot.
So basically, your three points are moot. I love how sportswriters pass of their unfounded, non-factual bias opinions as fact. How quickly you forgot the facts and the greatest player in history, both statistically speaking and the intangibles. You, sir, are what Skip Bayless refers to as a "prisoner of the moment", quickly forgetting the facts and who the greatest player ever is, both statistically and intangible wise. Instead being stuck in the present moment.
I'd love to hear Phil Jackson\'s reasons for why he thinks Kobe "might" be better than Michael, he actually knows what he's talking about. I'd also like to know why he would think Michael "might\ be better than Kobe, "might" obviously being the operative word, at least Phil left the possibility open that Michael might be better than Kobe. You, sir, did not, and your three points were weak at best, unfounded, non-factual, and biased at worst.
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There ya have, at least you got it right, we'll wait and see at the end of Kobe's career. Until then, I also have to agree with Magic on this one.
3 months ago
Jordan's stats go up in the playoffs and Finals while Kobe's stats go down. And is despite the fact that Jordan played against the best of the best such as
Bird/McHale and the world champ Celts
Magic/Worthy...etc and the Showtime Lakers
Ewing and the Knicks
early Shaq/Penny and the Orlando Magic
Charles Barkely and the 76ers (and later Phoenix)
Clyde Drexler and the Portland Trailblazers
Allen/Kemp and the Seattle SuperSonics
and Malone/Stockton of the Utah Jazz.
Kobe faces Duncan, Ginobli, and the Spurs (the only team in the west who plays any D what-so-ever). That's it. When he faces the 05' Pistons and 08' Celts, teams that play D, he gets shut down. Jordan's Bulls may have gotten shut down in the playoffs early on, but Jordan never did. Jordan averaged 30+ PPG every year in the playoffs sans the measly 28-29 PPG he averaged AS A ROOKIE. Kobe only hit that mark 3 times in his career.
Let's compare the years people claimed that Jordan "sucked" (when Jordan's Bulls couldn't make it past the first round against the Celts). He did more against the 85-86, 86-87 Celtics (who were NBA champs and played D as well as anybody), than what Kobe did against the 05-06, 06-07 Suns (couldn't make the NBA Finals and play no D what-so-ever).
Keep in mind Jordan took nearly 3 years off his prime to play baseball. Kobe has been in the league just about as long as Jordan and he's no where near what Jordan did....especially in the playoffs.....where the games mean more than just the regular season.
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