The more I watch Kobe Bryant rip through the NBA playoffs, the more drawn I become to the idea that he has become a little bit better basketball player than Michael Jordan. If you use your eyes, and you're not wearing Jordan-colored sunglasses, you can see it. But no matter how good Kobe becomes, no matter how many MVP's and championships he finishes with, he'll never achieve the same level of public idolatry that Jordan did. There's no way.
I've been reading excerpts from the late, great, David Halberstam's classic book, "Playing for Keeps: Michael Jordan and the World He Made." I don't remember much of Mike's heyday with the Bulls, because I was too young; I remember a little bit of the tail end of his career, but even then I wasn't really into basketball. However, I realize and understand that he transended the game and became a cultural icon. Better than anyone else probably could have, Halberstam puts it into words.
Jordan wasn't just famous; he wan't just famous for a basketball player; he wasn't just famous in some places. Jordan was known everywhere. He remains amongst the recognizble faces in the world, but during the 90's he may have been the most recognizable. What American was more famous than Michael Jordan? As Halberstam points out, Jordan's notoriety was greater "in many distant parts of the globe than the President of the United States or any movie or rock star." Jordan was royalty, and no celebrity was more beloved. Women swooned over him, and men and young boys alike wanted to be just like him.
This was for many reasons. First and foremost, obviously, Jordan was given a unique gift, the gift to play basketball in a way that made him seem inhuman, God-like. There was no restraint on his athletic ability, his game was remarkably skilled and well-rounded, and he could do whatever he wanted on a basketball court at any time. If you irked him, you got 40. If you pissed him off, you got 50. That's man-amongst-men cliche, only Jordan was a guard, 6-6 and slender, not a behemoth like Shaq or Wilt. Halberstam best describes Jordan's athletic talent when he describes him as a "genetic fluke."
But perhaps just as important to the Jordan mystique was the way he represented himself off the court. Jordan was handsome . He was well-spoken and articulate. He was immaculately dressed, stylish suits before and after games, and clean-cut. Spotless. He was charming and charismatic, and mostly non-controversial, because he knew how to use that charm and charisma with the media. You can't control all of these attributes, but you can control some of them, and Jordan realized that a person in his position, a global icon, should carry himself with a certain dignity and grace. This was all part of Jordan's gift. He quietly accepted his position, and embraced it, while still maintaining his nonpartisan position. ("Republican's wear sneakers, too," he once said, the anti-Ali, if you follow me.)
Kobe is just as good-looking and eloquent, and he cleans up just as nicely. And as I said, we've reached the point where he's probably become a better pure basketball player, his handle more malleable, his range and offensive repertoire more deep. But nobody sees Kobe in the same way they seem MJ; Lakers fans like myself always stood behind Kobe, right and wrong and perceived wrong, but off the court I don't see him as having any kind of aura.
On the court, he is a master craftsman, even more so than Michael, but outside of that realm he is, in a sense, just an average guy. He's not cool. Every guy doesn't want to be like him. Women aren't crazy about him. Kids love him unfailingly, but that's becuase they are so innocent.
Michael and his image-makers were able to convince adults that he was perfect, that he could do no wrong; Kobe the person is as imperfect and human as they come. Unlike Michael, he seems just like the rest of us. Actually, because of his high-profile and the frequency with which his mistakes and misgivings become open to the public, he seems even more flawed. If Kobe has mystique, it's of a different kind: he's complicated, he's confusing, nobody understands him and nobody ever will. He's more interesting than mystifying.
People make fun of Kobe. He gave himself the nickname of Mamba, but when bloggers call him that, they're doing it to mock him. Nobody made fun of Michael. Nobody mocked Michael. Everybody loved him too much to do that. Jordan was held in awe.
And still is. And always will be. Kobe, on the other hand, never will be, at least not blindly. And that's why he will never match, let alone surpass, Jordan in the eyes of the public. People will be drinking the MJ Kool-Aid until the end of time, so many years from now, even though Kobe was better, it will never really seem like he was.
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4 months ago
Compare the Stats look at Michael Jordan.
CAREER AVERAGES
YEAR TEAM G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
84-85 CHI 82 82 38.3 .515 .173 .845 2.00 4.50 6.50 5.9 2.39 .84 3.55 3.50 28.2
85-86 CHI 18 7 25.1 .457 .167 .840 1.30 2.30 3.60 2.9 2.06 1.17 2.50 2.60 22.7
86-87 CHI 82 82 40.0 .482 .182 .857 2.00 3.20 5.20 4.6 2.88 1.52 3.32 2.90 37.1
87-88 CHI 82 82 40.4 .535 .132 .841 1.70 3.80 5.50 5.9 3.16 1.60 3.07 3.30 35.0
88-89 CHI 81 81 40.2 .538 .276 .850 1.80 6.20 8.00 8.0 2.89 .80 3.58 3.00 32.5
89-90 CHI 82 82 39.0 .526 .376 .848 1.70 5.10 6.90 6.3 2.77 .66 3.01 2.90 33.6
90-91 CHI 82 82 37.0 .539 .312 .851 1.40 4.60 6.00 5.5 2.72 1.01 2.46 2.80 31.5
91-92 CHI 80 80 38.8 .519 .270 .832 1.10 5.30 6.40 6.1 2.28 .94 2.50 2.50 30.1
92-93 CHI 78 78 39.3 .495 .352 .837 1.70 5.00 6.70 5.5 2.83 .78 2.65 2.40 32.6
94-95 CHI 17 17 39.3 .411 .500 .801 1.50 5.40 6.90 5.3 1.76 .76 2.06 2.80 26.9
95-96 CHI 82 82 37.7 .495 .427 .834 1.80 4.80 6.60 4.3 2.20 .51 2.40 2.40 30.4
96-97 CHI 82 82 37.9 .486 .374 .833 1.40 4.50 5.90 4.3 1.71 .54 2.02 1.90 29.6
97-98 CHI 82 82 38.8 .465 .238 .784 1.60 4.20 5.80 3.5 1.72 .55 2.26 1.80 28.7
01-02 WAS 60 53 34.9 .416 .189 .790 .80 4.80 5.70 5.2 1.42 .43 2.70 2.00 22.9
02-03 WAS 82 67 37.0 .445 .291 .821 .90 5.20 6.10 3.8 1.50 .48 2.11 2.10 20.0
CAREER 1,072 1,039 38.3 .497 .327 .835 1.60 4.70 6.20 5.3 2.35 .83 2.73 2.60 30.1
Playoff 179 179 41.8 .487 .332 .828 1.70 4.70 6.40 5.7 2.10 .88 3.05 3.00 33.4
All-Star 13 13 29.4 .472 .273 .750 1.70 3.00 4.70 4.2 2.85 .46 3.23 2.40 20.2
from 4 months ago
let michael be michael let kobe be kobe !!!
4 months ago
Now look at Kobe Bryant's Stats.
Career Season Averages
Year Team G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
96-97 LAL 71 6 15.5 0.417 0.375 0.819 0.7 1.2 1.9 1.3 0.7 0.3 1.58 1.40 7.6
97-98 LAL 79 1 26.0 0.428 0.341 0.794 1.0 2.1 3.1 2.5 0.9 0.5 1.99 2.30 15.4
98-99 LAL 50 50 37.9 0.465 0.267 0.839 1.1 4.2 5.3 3.8 1.4 1.0 3.14 3.10 19.9
99-00 LAL 66 62 38.2 0.468 0.319 0.821 1.6 4.7 6.3 4.9 1.6 0.9 2.76 3.30 22.5
00-01 LAL 68 68 40.9 0.464 0.305 0.853 1.5 4.3 5.9 5.0 1.7 0.6 3.24 3.30 28.5
01-02 LAL 80 80 38.3 0.469 0.250 0.829 1.4 4.1 5.5 5.5 1.5 0.4 2.79 2.90 25.2
02-03 LAL 82 82 41.5 0.451 0.383 0.843 1.3 5.6 6.9 5.9 2.2 0.8 3.51 2.70 30.0
03-04 LAL 65 64 37.6 0.438 0.327 0.852 1.6 3.9 5.5 5.1 1.7 0.4 2.63 2.70 24.0
04-05 LAL 66 66 40.7 0.433 0.339 0.816 1.4 4.5 5.9 6.0 1.3 0.8 4.09 2.60 27.6
05-06 LAL 80 80 41.0 0.450 0.347 0.850 0.9 4.4 5.3 4.5 1.8 0.4 3.13 2.90 35.4
06-07 LAL 77 77 40.8 0.463 0.344 0.868 1.0 4.7 5.7 5.4 1.4 0.5 3.31 2.70 31.6
07-08 LAL 82 82 38.9 0.459 0.361 0.840 1.1 5.2 6.3 5.4 1.8 0.5 3.13 2.80 28.3
Career -- 866 718 36.5 0.453 0.340 0.839 1.2 4.1 5.3 4.6 1.5 0.5 2.94 2.70 25.0
All-Star -- 10 10 26.8 0.500 0.350 0.778 1.4 3.2 4.6 4.7 2.6 0.4 2.70 2.80 18.0
4 months ago
I think Kobe Bryant is the best player now but Michael Jordan is the best ever just like Muhammed Ali is known as the best boxer so is Michael Jordan in basketball. I do think Kobe is Just as good Offensively but if you look at Michael Jordan's field goal percentage he was much more efficient. Michael jordan was also a better rebounder and had better assist averages. He was also much better defensively if look at the stats Jordan had a higher average of steals and blocks than Kobe. He was once named defensive player of the year which Kobe probably will never get. Also Michael Jordan was a little more blessed athletically than Kobe which allowed him to be a little better driving to the hole. So while I think Kobe Bryant is the best there is right now. Michael will always be on top, Kobe will be right under Michael in the list of greats.
4 months ago
mate.. i understand what your trying to say, but you're not deep enough into WHY you think Kobe is better.. You just say "even though Kobe was better".. WHY is he better? What makes him more valuable to his team than Jordan? Is he a bettter rebounder? Defender? Passer? Team mate? Leader? Dunker? is he better all round? Or does he just have better "shooting ability". Mind you, if he does it cant be much better as MJ is the second highest scorer ever and has the highest post season average..
Essenstially im just saying you keed to give better and deaper arguments if you're going to make a statement such is the magnitude you just did..
from 4 months ago
"And as I said, we've reached the point where he's probably become a better pure basketball player, his handle more malleable, his range and offensive repertoire more deep."
No disrespect, but did you miss that part?
4 months ago
One simple sentence: Kobe is not MJ!!!
4 months ago
Kobe and MJ both completely dominated their respective eras of the game. They both transcend what "normal" people can/could accomplish on the court. Neither can/could be stopped when they they take control of a game and both can/could control it through various means.
That said as of right now I believe that Kobe is on track to become the best player of all time for the simple reason he is dominating a higher level of athlete/player than Jordan did when he played. There are more good teams, better competition, more great players from more places in the world now than ever before. And Kobe dominates them all completely. He, just like Jordan before him simply plays his own game on his own level, no one comes near him. And now that he has learned to trust and include his teammates more, his stat line may come closer to resembling Jordan's.
I haven't always felt this way about Kobe. I thought he was selfish, arrogant and childish for a lot of his career. But as he continues to mature my opinion of his game matures also. If Kobe keeps up this current level of play for a few more years, he'll be my pick for the greatest player of all time.
Then again, in 15 years we might be talking about CP3, D-Wade, Bron-Bron or someone else we never even heard of yet as the greatest of all time. And THATS why I love this game!
from 4 months ago
Yes, the talent pool is great now a days, and the international talent has come a long way, BUT do people forget the talent pool that Jordan played against? He put up an unforgetable performance against the Celtics. That just happened to have 3 of the top 50 players of all time. Bird, Mchale, and Parrish. He played great against Magic's Lakers. Who also had 3 of the best ever. Magic, Jabbar, and Worthy. He went up against a great Detroit team.
some other notable names: Barkley, K Malone, M Malone, Stockton, Thomas, Dumars, Dr. J, Young Shaq,
Miller.
I could name more, but I won't. I believe most of these names are on the NBA's top 50 of all time. And the Celtics, Lakers, and Pistons teams he played against were among some of the best teams ever
Yes, Kobe is a great player. Yes, he has matured a lot over his career, but until he has a few more rings, a stat line that is a little closer to MJ's and until he shows us he can perform at a high level at a older age, as MJ did in Washington than my vote is with Jodan.
from 4 months ago
"That said as of right now I believe that Kobe is on track to become the best player of all time for the simple reason he is dominating a higher level of athlete/player than Jordan did when he played."
This is why everything must be considered in the proper context. Humans and athletes will always evolve. Therefore using your logic, whomever is the best shooting guard in 15 years will, by default, be the best player ever, will he not?
4 months ago
You can't compare apples to oranges!
When Cobe retires, than you can start to compare.
People will hate one like the other or care less.
4 months ago
Wow, you started off by saying you didn't watch Jordan in his heyday and when you did catch the end of his career, you really weren't in to basketball. That's fine and I understand your arguement about Jordan being known everywhere; however, talent wise, Kobe is ABSOLUTELY on Jordan's talent level and will only get better. I've been watching basketball for over 25 years and saw them both as rookies in the NBA. Kobe has, with out a doubt, demonstrated as much talent as a player in the NBA along the lines of Jordan. Now don't get me wrong, I think Jordan was the most amazing player I have ever seen until Kobe joined "my most amazing players" list. The talent I would have to say is equal as of now, but Kobe has a lot of years left and improves every flippin season. Jordan is not the best basketball player, but he does "share" that title with Kobe. Read all you can about Jordan, read all you can about Kobe, but it's people like you (respectfully speaking) that irritate TRUE sport fans. I must have seen them both play at least about 1,000 games, so that's my opinion based on seeing with my own eyes and truly understanding all aspects of the game. One more thing, you "CAN" compare them as it is not "apples to oranges". They are sooooo damn similar as a player. Anyone who watches would most likely agree. GO LAKERS!!! P.S. with respect and no sarcasm.....watch the Finals starting 06/05 and watch Kobe. He'll start off slow get his team in to the game, third quarter he'll get more involved in scoring, then 4th quarter he will explode along with the rest of team. He has become a true leader that the Lakers haven't seen since Magic Johnson.
from 4 months ago
I just noticed something I put in your comment: I'm not a TRUE sports fan? Why, because I'm young and didn't watch Michael play during his prime? That means I'm not a TRUE sports fan? Check my blog. Check some of the other stuff I've written for this site. I live and breathe sports. You know nothing about me. Respectfully.
4 months ago
I like how the other admits freely not being old enough to watch MJ play, yet he declares Kobe the better. What did the author do... go back and watch 1000 hours of NBA taped games?
Kobe is good, but he in addition to not being as great an overall player, he's certainly does NOT have MJ's competitive spirit and heart!
from 4 months ago
Joe, you say:
"I like how the other admits freely not being old enough to watch MJ play, yet he declares Kobe the better. What did the author do... go back and watch 1000 hours of NBA taped games?"
Pretty much. I didn't watch Jordan play a whole lot during his career with the Bulls, but with NBA Classic, NBA TV, the Hoopsencyclopedia channel on YouTube, and just being an all-around avid student of the game...I'm all caught up. I know as much about Michael's game as anybody.
4 months ago
I'm reflecting my opinion of the overall talent level in the league, especially the number of competitive teams one faces night in and out today compared to when MJ played. Imperfect? perhaps but I think that today there are more good teams than when Jordan played, and definitely than when Bird and Magic were in their heyday. So I think that its legitimate that a single dominant player be judged against all those he competed against, no?
Utah, Dallas, Phoenix, Houston, San Antonio, Golden State, Denver, New Orleans all field highly competitive squads, all play in the west and face Kobe a lot. Looking east there's Boston, Detroit, Cleveland, Orlando, Toronto. Almost half the league can legitimately be called very good today, which was not true when Jordan played. None of them can consistently stop Bryant.
I realize without being told that these comparisons across eras are fruitless, that they are arguments no one can win. But I'll add that the 50 greatest players of all time will not always be the same as they are now. 15 years from now there will be new names, and 15 years from then there will be newer ones still.
4 months ago
Actually, Kobe DOESN'T clean up as nice. That is the real problem. Aside from allowing himself to be in a bad position (hence the rape allegations), he squandered the first half of his career acting like a childish brat. That made all the difference really. Jordan NEVER quit because the game was hard (as has Kobe). Jordan NEVER took himself out of the game mentally when isolated by the defence; he just made the rest of the team that much better.
God I hated Jordan (not a Bulls/Pippen fan). And loved him of course. Because he embodied pure sport. Pure competition: competitiveness without malice. Combined with his athletic gifts (which again, he didn't hide from audiences for entire seasons to throw tantrums instead) his global appeal is no surprise. If Kobe had the mentality and emotional toughness of... say John Stockton, combined with his innate physical gifts? Yes, he just might have been bigger than Jordan. Sadly, we'll never know. Good lesson for the kids though: what not to do.
from 4 months ago
He managed to put aside his "childish" antics to help the Lakers win 3 championships during his first half of his career. I wish I could play pro basketball and "squander" away half of my career en route to three championships.
4 months ago
81 POINTS, AND HE CAN GET IT ALMOST ANY TIME HE WANTS!!
4 months ago
Too early to judge anything. Kobe Bryant was in his second season when Michael retired for the second time. Even with that last comeback Kobe was still, what I'll estimate to be halfway through his career if he plays as long as Jordan. How is it fair to compare a guy halfway through his career with a guy who has now officially been retired for 5 years? We've had years to watch the finals films etc on Jordan's Bulls now. Finals films on Kobe's Lakers are still developing.
Why do we always have to compare Kobe to MJ? Especially someone who did not watch Jordan's years, if you never watched him how can you tell how good he was. Yes, Jordan has very impressive stats, but there are a handful of other players that have very impressive stats that you could make a case for simply by using year by year averages.
Kobe is playing at possibly the highest level of his career right now, why not sit back and enjoy it? Let Kobe finish his career in 8 or 10 years and then say, "You know what, Kobe was better than Michael" or "Nope, no way, Kobe was not better than Michael".
I just can't believe how everyone wants to draw comparisons right now, when Kobe's best might not even have been showcased yet.
from 4 months ago
"Why do we always have to compare Kobe to MJ? Especially someone who did not watch Jordan's years, if you never watched him how can you tell how good he was."
"And as I said, we've reached the point where he's probably become a better pure basketball player, his handle more malleable, his range and offensive repertoire more deep."
No disrespect, but did you miss that part?
With NBA TV, NBA Classic, Hoopsencyclopedia on YouTube, and just the internet in general, with all it's written accounts...you didn't have to watch a guy live to know how he played. I, like any other writer who occasionally writes about athletes or periods in sports that came before their time, am a student of the game. I know Michael Jordan's game inside-out, as well as anybody. I think people are missing the point of this post, that's the problem: it's not about why Kobe is better than Michael, it's about why the world will never accept that he is. If it had been about why I think Kobe is better, surely I would have taken time out to explain how I acquired the knowledge for my argument. But it's not.
from 4 months ago
"it's not about why Kobe is better than Michael, it's about why the world will never accept that he is."
That would be assuming he is better, which is why i think people are missing the point. I don't feel that Kobe seeks to market himself as Jordan did.
"But outside of that realm he is, in a sense, just an average guy." I get the impression that off the court, Kobe is fine with that. He's said in a Stephen A. Smith interview that he justs want people to let him be Kobe Bryant and not to compare him to the greatest player ever, which is in regards to him as a player. Kobe seems to be finally loving life as the leader of his basketball team and seems very comfortable in that role.
I could very well be wrong, but why do people expect Kobe to be like Mike off the court if he's not striving to be? Has Kobe attempted to make himself into a brand name? The world won't accept Kobe because he isn't like Mike off the court and doesn't want to be.
4 months ago
I agree that Kobe is starting to become like MJ. And he proved it to me this year, not by scoring 81 points on some statue but by being a team leader and a fierce competitor. MJ had Pippen and Kobe has Lamar which to me is amazingly similar. Now, he has Pau Gasol as well? Now, as far as i can remember MJ had to do without the luxury of great big men. I am a big KOBE fan and I love the LAKERS but MJ to me, without a doubt no one will surpass!!!KOBE KOBE KOBE!!! GO LAKERS!!!
Like mike, I wanna be like mike!
4 months ago
I understand that the topic of this conversation shifted more towards Kobe vs. Jordan as who is the better player. Yah, Jordan had less media issues than Kobe and is loved around the world more than Kobe. Besides Jordan's gambling issues, there really wasn't much more negative that I can remember; however, that doesn't mean he did certain things and just didn't get caught. I'm not saying he did, I'm just saying it's possible. Kobe was also in a situation unlike Jordan. The media hype about him and Shaq got him off to a shady start. His complaints about the team last off-season shocked me, but I have no idea what was "really" going on. It does seem like as the years go on, more and more athletes are getting busted, complaining, or what ever.
Anyway, the thing I wanted to point out while debating this topic is..........how awesome is Phill and how much of an impact did/does he have on both players' career!!!! That dude is the MAN as far as I'm concerned.
4 months ago
Read the book When Nothing Else Matters by Michael Leahy to get the real scoop on MJ.
from 4 months ago
I read that a year or two ago, that was a really good book. Michael isn't always quite as "perfect" as the public sees him. I kind of feel bad for Kwame Brown and I think this is an example of where the age minimum helps the league, I'm sure his confidence was ruined.
4 months ago
"Lakers fans like myself..."
This comparison is over and done. Biased maybe?
from 4 months ago
I am completely objective and impartial. For years, I defended Michael when people said Kobe was better. Now, I think Kobe is better. That's it. Of course, that's not the point. It's not a comparison in the sense you seem to mean.
4 months ago
The next Michael jordan won't be Kobe or Lebron. It will be someone who we never see coming. Just as Michael unseated Dr. J, someone will unseat Michael.
4 months ago
Kobe isn't anywhere close to MJ yet. MJ won 6 titles as the best player on his team and dominated for nearly 15 years. Kobe's 3 titles while he was still a great player but playing 2nd fiddle to Shaq. Kobe's scoring and defense are comparable to MJs but in every other category, Michael blows him away.
4 months ago
Kobe is playing at a Jordan like level right now, but MJ PLAYED AT THAT LEVEL FOR TEN YEARS. Kobe might have as much or even more talent than Michael Jordan but there has never and as far as I am concerned will never be a player as cold blooded as Michael Jordan and no one will ever be as good as him. Ever. Any comparison between Jordan's career and Kobe's is totally foolish.
4 months ago
By the way, I honestly thought about flagging this article as offensive.
4 months ago
IMHO Jordan is better than Kobe and I don't believe he will ever surpass His Airness. MJ's stats are better. Number of Championships higher. Offensively there's not much between them but MJ was a true 2 way player. Basketball is a bit more than just putting the ball in the hoop. If it came down to a game 7 and these 2 were in their prime and were marking each other, I'd much rather have MJ guarding Kobe than the other way around.
The L changed the handchecking rules a few years back making it easier for dribble drives and perimeter players. You don't think if MJ was in this era he would be averaging 40ppg? Would Kobe have any rings if Shaq never signed with the Lakers?
4 months ago
Tremendos article. You make an argument-one that I agree with-and present facts to support it.
But I will agree with what many have said and may write my own article about it. Let Michael be Michael and Kobe be Kobe.
I have watched both players, probably as much or more than you, and agree with every point.
I'm too tired to round out my comment, but great stuff.
4 months ago
I love when people try to compare stats w/out seeing the big picture. as someone pointed out, everyones averages were higher in Jordans era, so if you correlate to now its the same as Kobes averages.
let me tell somn to you all that i dont think ive heard talked about. when Kobe came into the league, the same time that Bulls were having that great streak and going on to win another championship, Kobe and the Lakers beat the bulls twice in that season. And on this next take dont make the excuse aaww Jordan was too old by then, Kobe took Jordan to the hole and dunked on him, then on the defensive end stayed with MJ and blocked his shot twice. Jordan was plenty in good shape to win the championship that year. But also remember its the team that wins the championships, Jordan did nothing till he got such great talent around him including Paxson and Pippen, two key players. but he also had guys like Toni Kukoc and such. Also MJ didnt win anything till the last of all the legends from the 80s died out. And that first championship against Lakers, Worthy and Scott were out and thats the only reason they won their first one, Lakers wouldve won easy. Michael Thompson who played with the Lakers talks about it on loose cannons.
Kobe can do alot more than Jordan did especially shooting the 3 and overall outside shot. and his the way he moves his body and creates some shots is unlike Jordan.
but dont ever use stats for arguments because you need to understand the big picture with those overall stats, although 81 pts by Kobe was even greater than Wilts 100 because of the nature of how Kobe got his vs Wilt. if Kobe had it handed to him like Wilt did he wouldve scored over 100 and alot were 3 pointers and outside shots which Wilt didnt do.
now MJ was great, and now Kobe is. but overall these comparisons are useless, but fun to speculate. because of the times of the era.
oh yeah if Kobe wins the Championship this year, it will be greater than any of MJs championships, because Kobe has less around him than MJ did when they won especially the 72 win year. so basically Kobe will have done more with less than MJ. and once Bynum and Ariza come back next year, its over for the next few years. Having Bynums inside defensive presence combined with Pao and Lamar, that front line will just keep it a pure outside game for everyone. Bynum would be on KG right now, and thats a huge difference defensively, with the ht and length and leaping and blocking ability, not only will it be harder for KG but then the others are guarded by the lengthy Pao and Lamar. it would be Bynum on KG, Lamar or Pao on Pierce, and Kobe on Allen, game over Lakers sweep.
4 months ago
KOBE DOESN'T WANT TO BE MJ YOU DOUCHE.
"I don't want to be Michael Jordan. I only want to be Kobe Bryant.
AND HOW IS MJ CHARMING DIDN'T HE CALL KWAME A *** DIDNT HE PUNCH STEVE KERR IN THE FACE?
4 months ago
Great Article. But I disagree with some of the points. For instance, Kobe may be the better "pure basketball player" as you put it, but I don't think that holds any weight. You can't really judge players skills of different eras because everything evolves. For instance, Bob Cousy could not really go left (u've probably seen film of him dribbling out the clock). So if I say Rajon Rondo is more skilled than him, as far as dribbling, it's true, but it doesn't matter. Bob Cousy was still the truth, and revolutionized the game of basketball. Same with Jordan. MJ was the greatest basketball in his era, and until Kobe is able to accomplish half the things MJ did, I think the title of this article is warranted.
from 4 months ago
and what would those accomplishments be that Kobe has to do to be revered like mike. you forget its about the team, and coaches a little too. Jordan had great individual stats but never won anything till all the legends of the 80s were gone and he got a good supporting cast. Kobe does have half and more of accomplishments as MJ. Kobe scored 81 pts in a game, did MJ, i would say thats better than MJ. if you wanna talk individual Kobe beats mike in alot of areas, especially 3 pt shooting. MJ has 6 championships because of the supporting cast and the fact that Worthy and Scott were out during MJs first championship. and i get so sick of that stupid shot of MJ leaping towards the front of the rim and switching from right to left hand as if he needed too, that was all unecessary showing off, he couldve just laid it in from the front, there was nothing spectacular about that shot. I saw Kobe juke a guy, go past him and dunk from just inside the free throw line over a big man down the middle, that was more incredible than alot of things with Jordan. Stats dont tell the whole story between MJ and Kobe, you cant judge championships. Shaq never won anything till he joined Kobe and a good coach and supporting cast. everything goes hand in hand, so the only way to compare is individually. Cousy played when there were only 8 teams in the league and the ability of players was in its infantry. all the talent was compacted, and with Bill Russell, there were very few guys that tall much less as talented. today if your 6'9 your just an average ht of NBA players, back then it was unique. Lebron is same ht as Bill Russell and he plays shooting guard or forward, and even though he struggles shoots longer distance than Bill would.
Kobe is already better than MJ, but if only championships prove it then write it in the books because whether they win or not this year, when Bynum comes back its over. Lakers will win the next several championships with this cast and Bynum back. youll have the twin towers in Bynum and Pao, then a tall lengthy Lamar, oh and then theres Kobe and Fisher, and even if Fisher retires get ready for another star guard in Jordan Farmar, the guy is starting to look like tony parker but leaps higher.
from 4 months ago
and what would those accomplishments be that Kobe has to do to be revered like mike. you forget its about the team, and coaches a little too. Jordan had great individual stats but never won anything till all the legends of the 80s were gone and he got a good supporting cast. Kobe does have half and more of accomplishments as MJ. Kobe scored 81 pts in a game, did MJ, i would say thats better than MJ. if you wanna talk individual Kobe beats mike in alot of areas, especially 3 pt shooting. MJ has 6 championships because of the supporting cast and the fact that Worthy and Scott were out during MJs first championship. and i get so sick of that stupid shot of MJ leaping towards the front of the rim and switching from right to left hand as if he needed too, that was all unecessary showing off, he couldve just laid it in from the front, there was nothing spectacular about that shot. I saw Kobe juke a guy, go past him and dunk from just inside the free throw line over a big man down the middle, that was more incredible than alot of things with Jordan. Stats dont tell the whole story between MJ and Kobe, you cant judge championships. Shaq never won anything till he joined Kobe and a good coach and supporting cast. everything goes hand in hand, so the only way to compare is individually. Cousy played when there were only 8 teams in the league and the ability of players was in its infantry. all the talent was compacted, and with Bill Russell, there were very few guys that tall much less as talented. today if your 6'9 your just an average ht of NBA players, back then it was unique. Lebron is same ht as Bill Russell and he plays shooting guard or forward, and even though he struggles shoots longer distance than Bill would.
Kobe is already better than MJ, but if only championships prove it then write it in the books because whether they win or not this year, when Bynum comes back its over. Lakers will win the next several championships with this cast and Bynum back. youll have the twin towers in Bynum and Pao, then a tall lengthy Lamar, oh and then theres Kobe and Fisher, and even if Fisher retires get ready for another star guard in Jordan Farmar, the guy is starting to look like tony parker but leaps higher.
4 months ago
I agree and disagree. It's not fair to compare Jordan's stats with Kobe's because when Kobe was a rookie he was not seeing many minutes, and even in his second year he was coming off the bench. Remember he was 18, 19 years old. So definitely his stats are not as gaudy as Jordan's in large part because of his first couple years in the league. Plus he had a completely different role, as you mentioned. Shaq was the main dog, Kobe was the second fiddle. However, Kobe still has about four more MVP's to win, 6 finals MVP's to collect, and he also has to maintain his best player in the world status for the next several years.
Jordan won defensive player of the year as well. Another thing that is underated about Jordan was his shooting percentage. As a two guard, he consistently shot about fifty percent from the field. Thats simply astounding. The AI's and Tmac's, who i admire shoot well below that, and even Kobe has not shot 50 percent in a season, though he played with one of the most dominant centers ever. Defenses were not completely geared towards stopping Kobe like they were Jordan, at least in Kobe's first seven years.
And I like the Lakers set up for the next several years, but the NBA is very unpredictable in that who would've thought KG would be playing for a championship, nevertheless as a celtic this time last year. Kobe is great, one of the best I've ever seen. I just don't think he's MJ, but i definitely respect your opinion. We'll see how he does in the finals.
from 3 months ago
kobe score 81 points over a sorry team that wasn't playing defense and far as rings....shaq is the reason why kobe got 3 rings....shaq went to another team and won another ring...kobe bryant is the worst thing that ever happen to the NBA...he hit 81 pts and still didn't make that playoffs...then when you put defense on him like boston did he show the true player he is...he sucks....kobe want to be like mike....maybe if he holds his tongue out like mike when he play that might make him a better player
4 months ago
Mike is Mike, Kobe is Kobe. That being said, it's not even close: Michael would destroy him.
3 months ago
chris paul is better than kobe bryant....The best player the lakers ever had is Magic Johnson..
3 months ago
becasue kobe score 81 points how many assist, steals and block shot did he have in that game....0 for all other areas...when mike have a high score game he as block shots, assist and steals...paul gaso is that best player the lakers have.....kobe wants to be like michael jordan.....mike so bad that he won 3 rings retired and come back and won 3 more rings.....kobe with his sorry self will not never be able to to do that.
3 months ago
To even suggest that Kobe Bryant is better then Michael Jordan is insane. You need look no further then this years finals where the Lakers were ahead 24 points in game 4 only to see the Celtics come storming back. Michael Jordan would have never let that happen. Michael Jordan won the public over because he made the impossible possible. Even at the end of his career with Chicago when the high flying dunks came less often he still captivated us with his ability to take a game over and win. Kobe doesn't have the magic. Jordan earned what he got. All the smart marketing aside if Michael Jordan didn't show up every night and be Michael Jordan the public would have written him of in a second. 20 years from now kids will still remember Michael Jordan as the greatest ever. Kobe Bryant will be more remembered for his rape charge then what he did on the basketball court.
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