Kobe Bryant: Jordan Hunter

So Kobe Bryant has #5, and the debate every non-Laker fan hates will fire up as the quest for #6 begins:

Is Kobe Bryant as good, or better than Michael Jordan? 

Is it foolish to ask this question now?  Certainly.  We’re comparing a finished career against an unfinished one.  Fact is, Kobe’s a title short, but still has good years left in the tank.  Who know’s where he’ll be in 3 years?

Do I think Kobe’s better than MJ right now?  No.  Do I think Kobe’s got a shot to be as good?  Maybe.  Do I think Kobe’s done enough to water these seeds of comparison?  Definitely.  I’ll tell you this much - you can no longer have the “Greatest Player” debate without, at least, talking about Kobe Bryant.

Can Bryant win 2, 3, 4, 5 more titles?  You think this guy wouldn’t take peanuts to play the cagey, old, veteran role on a championship team in 2015 for another ring?  And what if he gets to that all-time scoring record?  Can Bryant write a resume long enough to battle Jordan for the top spot? 

Kobe is creating a situation where the question asked will not be, "Is Kobe Bryant a better basketball player than Michael Jordan?" but instead, "Does Kobe have better statistics than Mike?"

We don’t know the future, but what I can tell you about is the right now.  Kobe Bryant is the best player in the league.  We all remember the other 4 rings, the MVP trophy, and the 81 points, but during the 2010 Playoffs, you forgot this guy played with a broken finger for the lion-share of the season.  You forgot his right knee was drained during the first round.  Despite those injuries, and a rough Game 7, Kobe still held the Larry O’ up over his head again last night.

Basketball fan:  “I think LeBron’s better.”

Here’s the difference between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James:

LeBron doesn’t want any player to ever wear the #23.

Kobe doesn’t want any player to ever wear the #24. 

Or the #8, for that matter.

Don’t forget, LeBron couldn’t win a gold medal until Kobe joined the team.

Listen, I get it.  Kobe’s a jerk.  In 2004, he most likely broke up a Laker dynasty.  Sometimes he comes off a bit phony, and he definitely chews out his teammates on the court from time to time.  He’s hateable.  I get it.  His nickname is "Black Mamba."  Great guys don't have that nickname.

But people hated Jordan too.  I hated his Airness because he beat my favorite team all the time.  And in the end, that’s why you hate Kobe as much as you do (if you do) .  As a sports fan, you cannot ask for more than #24.  Every game seems personal.  He’s not even remotely satisfied with a win.  Insanely hard worker, and after each title, you get the sinking suspicion he’s already thinking about the next.

Whenever the US overreacts to Homeland Security (see full body scanners at airports, me having to take off my giant shoes off at security), detractors say, “The terrorists have already won.”

Kobe wants you to read this article.  He loves reading the comments below.  He needs you to have this debate.  So, if you really hate Kobe Bryant, and you really don't think he’s anywhere near as good as Michael Jordan, my advice is, don’t say a word.  Don’t talk about him.  Don’t argue about it.  Don’t give him the time of day.

Because if you do, he’s already won.